297119 Sun May 16 09:11:09 -0700 2004 3 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1638653 Does anyone here know of the difference, in terms of cooking qualities, betw Dutch-process cocoa, and ordinary Hershey's? I';m talking about the real thing in Hershey's cocoa, not any kind of more modern junk that might have sugar etc in it. And how much of a taste difference is there? I ask bec. I recently made a chocolate granita, and I didn't feel like running out to get some Dutch cocoa. The granita tasted quite good; given that it had other flavors such as coffee, I'm wondering if any superior taste of Dutch cocoa might in fact be detectable. Sun May 16 09:11:09 -0700 2004 0 Howard-2 1 1638657 According to baking911, Dutch cocoa has a milder flavor. I don't make granitas, but in baking I think that's true. Link: http://www.baking911.com/pantry_chocolate_types.htm Sun May 16 09:55:22 -0700 2004 1638653 0 Mar a 1 1638662 The Dutching process involves treating the cocoa with alkali to decrease the cocoa's acidity, smooth and mellow the flavors, and darken the color of the cocoa. The resulting increase in pH affects how leavening agents (baking soda or baking powder) react in a recipe. Most pastry chefs prefer to use Dutched cocoa. Although granita obviously doesn't contain leavening, you might want to try it with Dutched cocoa to lower the acidity introduced by the coffee. You may get a richer yet mellowed result. Sun May 16 10:25:37 -0700 2004 1638653 0 meta 2 1638788 Most cocoa is dutch processed. Dutching, using a base to treat the cocoa solids, changes the color and mellows the flavor (plus the pH affects). Cocoa producers can therefore make a very consistent product and make it as light or dark as the marketing department wants. If you use high quality cocoa beans, that have been properly produced, you can make cocoa powder that is naturally mellow and doesn't need treatment. However, the pH would be different so if the recipe calls for Dutch processed, they probably need the chemical reaction. Mon May 17 14:38:30 -0700 2004 1638662 0 muD