Chocolate is made up from crystals. What are they?
Cocoa butter molecules link together in several different crystalline forms given the names of Greek lettersbeta, gamma, alpha and beta prime. ( Beta and beta prime are both called beta crystals). The most basic differences among the them are are melting point, density, and stability. Crystals are molecules linked together in three dimensions. The temperature below which a liquid becomes solid through crystal formation is called its freezing point. For example, ice is the crystalline form that molecules of water take when they freeze or solidify. Even though the word “freezing” is normally associated with the idea of coldness, it is clear that there are many substances (like chocolate) that are solid (or “frozen”) at room temperature and whose freezing point is actually fairly warm. Conversely, crystals dissolve (that is, they melt) when subjected to temperatures above this point. In the case of water, the freezing (or melting) point is a single temperature32 degrees F (0 degrees C)bec
