Effect of lecithin concentration on properties of sucrose-free chocolate masses sweetened with isomalt

Rheological properties such as Casson viscosity and yield value strongly affect costs and efficiency of the chocolate making process. The addition of a proper amount of lecithin to the blend of chocolate ingredients results in a decrease of both the aforementioned parameters. However, overdosing of lecithin leads to worse sensory attributes and flow properties of the chocolate mass. Our studies on rheological properties of isomalt-containing dark chocolate masses and sucrose-containing milk chocolate masses revealed that the critical lecithin concentration was 0.9 g/100 g; and the Casson yield value of both the types of chocolate blends was enhanced above this content. The same phenomenon, i.e. chocolate thickening, was observed at lecithin concentrations of 0.4 g/100 g and 0.6 g/100 g for milk chocolate masses sweetened with isomalt, and for dark chocolate masses sweetened with sucrose, respectively.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]