Don’t choc out the leftovers
One of our favourite days of the year, World Chocolate Day, took place on 7 July and we've got some great tips to keep your chocolate fresher for longer.
Recent Kantar data reveals that we spent nearly €15 million on chocolates last Valentine’s Day alone but nearly 1 million Easter eggs are wasted every year.
A recent survey by Too Good To Go found that over a third of Irish consumers regularly throw food away, costing households up to €374 per year each.
Machaela O’Leary, Sales Manager at Too Good To Go Ireland, says: “Chocolate is one of the world’s favourite treats, but it’s also one of the most commonly wasted. By making small changes in how we store and use chocolate, or by rescuing surplus through the Too Good To Go app, we can all enjoy more chocolate, waste less, and help protect both our wallets and the planet. Download the Too Good To Go app to start saving good food from going to waste today.”
Join the fight against food waste with the Too Good To Go app, where you can rescue surplus chocolates from partners like Grá Chocolates in Galway, plus local Aldi and SuperValu stores all at a fraction of the price.
3 tips to store chocolate:
1. Skip the fridge – Keep it cool and dark
Should chocolate go in the fridge? The answer is a firm no. Chocolate absorbs odours and humidity, which can affect its texture and taste. Instead, store it in a cool, dark place, like a kitchen cupboard, away from direct sunlight. If you have a wine fridge, the top shelf (14-16°C) is an ideal temperature to keep it perfectly tempered.
2. Chocolate lasts longer than you think
Chocolate doesn’t spoil quickly, but its quality does decline over time. Milk chocolate typically has an 18 month shelf life, while white chocolate lasts about 12 months.
If you want a longer-lasting treat, opt for dark chocolate, which can stay in great condition for years when stored correctly. If your chocolate develops a white ‘bloom’, don’t worry – this is just the cocoa butter or sugar surfacing due to temperature changes. It might look different, but it’s still perfectly safe to eat!
3. Leftover chocolate? Get creative
If you find yourself with leftover chocolate then get creative instead of letting it go to waste. Melt leftover chocolate into hot drinks, chop it into brownies, or add it to savoury dishes like chilli or gravy for a rich twist — a delicious way to reduce waste.
By using the Too Good To Go app, you can rescue Surprise Bags of surplus food, including chocolate, at a fraction of the price while helping to reduce environmental impact.