The spelling of "baking chocolate" is unusual due to the pronunciation of the word "baking." The letter "a" in "baking" is pronounced as a long "ē" sound, which is represented in IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈbeɪkɪŋ/. This is often confused with a short "a" sound, which would be spelled as "backing" instead. The word "chocolate" is spelled phonetically with the sounds /tʃɑːklət/, following the standard English pronunciation. Together, the spelling of "baking chocolate" may seem odd, but it accurately represents the pronunciation of the word.
Baking chocolate refers to a type of chocolate that is specifically formulated for use in baking, cooking, and confectionery purposes. Also known as unsweetened chocolate or bitter chocolate, it is primarily made from cocoa solids and cocoa butter, with little to no added sugar or sweeteners. This type of chocolate is used in various desserts, baked goods, and recipes that require intense chocolate flavor without added sweetness.
Baking chocolate generally comes in the form of solid blocks or bars, and it is characterized by its deep, rich, and robust chocolate taste. It is not intended to be eaten as is due to its bitter and unsweetened nature. Instead, it serves as a fundamental ingredient for making various chocolate-based treats, like brownies, cakes, cookies, truffles, and ganache.
The absence of added sugar in baking chocolate allows for greater control over the sweetness of the final product. It gives bakers and chefs the flexibility to adjust the level of sweetness according to their preferences or specific recipes. Additionally, the high cocoa content in baking chocolate contributes to its distinctive intense chocolate flavor and smooth texture once melted or incorporated into recipes.
Due to its unique properties and purpose, baking chocolate is not recommended as a substitute for eating or snacking chocolate, as it lacks the requisite sweetness and palatability for direct consumption.
The etymology of the phrase "baking chocolate" can be broken down as follows:
1. Baking: The word "baking" originates from the Middle English word "baken" which means "to cook by dry heat". It further traces its roots back to the Old English word "bacan" or "bacian" which means "to bake, roast, or cook". The term "baking" specifically refers to the process of cooking food using dry heat in an oven or similar appliance.
2. Chocolate: The term "chocolate" comes from the Spanish word "chocolātl" which has its roots in the Nahuatl (Aztec language) word "xocoatl". The Nahuatl word was derived from combining "xococ" meaning "bitter" and "-atl" denoting "water" or "drink". It originally referred to a bitter beverage made from cacao beans.