Chocolate shells

What are praline shells used for?

 Praline shells are small hollow bodies or containers made of chocolate that are used to hold praline fillings. They usually consist of thin layers of chocolate made in custom molds and have an empty, round or oval shape.
These praline shells are used as the basis for making chocolates. After the chocolate is poured into the molds and hardened, they are filled with various fillings such as ganache, nougat, marzipan or fruit jelly. The hollow bodies are then sealed with melted chocolate to completely enclose the filling.
Praline shells are of great importance in the production of pralines, as they protect the filling and create a pleasant combination of texture and taste with the filling. In addition, the shells allow a variety of design of the chocolates in terms of shape, size and aesthetic details. 

What are the advantages of pre-made chocolate shells?

 An advantage of already prefabricated praline hollow bodies or shells is that they already have the desired size and shape. This leads to time and labor savings in the production of pralines, as it is no longer necessary to mold or cast the hollow body itself. In addition, the preformed hollow bodies are often very uniform and cleanly shaped, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing end result.
Otherwise, already formed hollow bodies also allow for easier filling of the chocolates. One can put the desired filling directly into the preformed hollow bodies without having to worry about their shape or stability. This simplifies the production process and leads to a more efficient operation.
In addition, preformed praline shells or hollow bodies offer a wider choice of shapes and designs. One can choose between different sizes, shapes, textures and colors to meet individual needs and preferences. This allows the chocolates to be designed more creatively and presented more attractively.
Overall, using pre-made hollow praline bodies or shells saves time, makes filling easier and gives one more freedom in designing the praline making process. 

How to make your own chocolates from praline shells or hollow spheres?

 To make delicious chocolates from praline shells, you need some additional ingredients and utensils. Here is a simple recipe you can try:
Ingredients:
- Praline shells or hollow balls for pralines
- 200 g chocolate (dark, white or whole milk)
- 100 ml cream
- 50 g butter
- Additional flavoring ingredients (optional) such as nuts, fruits or liqueur
Utensils:
- Double boiler or a heatproof bowl over a pot of boiling water
- Praline molds
- Praline fork or toothpick
- Refrigerator or freezer
Instructions:
1. Chop the chocolate coarsely and put it in the double pan or heatproof bowl.
2.Heat the cream in a separate saucepan until it almost comes to a boil. Take the saucepan off the heat and stir the butter in it until it is completely melted.
3. Slowly pour the hot cream and butter mixture over the chopped chocolate. Stir continuously to obtain an even mixture.
4. If you want to use ingredients such as nuts, fruit or liqueur, add them now and stir them in well.
5. Wait until the prepared praline filling (ganache) is no longer too hot (maximum 26°C) and pour it into a piping bag.
6. Pour the mixture into the praline molds, but not all the way to the edge, leaving enough space for the chocolate shell. Gently shake the molds to remove any air bubbles.
Place the molds in the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to harden. This process usually takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour. You can then seal the top of the praline molds with tempered couverture or chocolate. Alternatively, you can cover the pralines with a praline fork.
8. Once the pralines are completely hardened, they can be easily removed from the molds. Now your delicious pralines are ready to be enjoyed from the praline shells. 

What is the difference between hollow spheres (truffles in the shape of a ball) and praline shells? 

 Both truffles hollow balls and praline shells are used in the production of chocolate pralines. The key difference between the two is their shape and use.
Truffles hollow spheres are small, hollow chocolate balls that are usually round and have a shallow opening to add the praline filling. They are used to make truffle chocolates, where a creamy filling is added to the chocolate ball and then sealed. Compared to praline shells, truffles are usually slightly larger and have a thinner layer of chocolate.
Praline shells, on the other hand, are flat hollow chocolate bodies with a shell-like structure. They have a smooth surface and are used to make chocolates with solid or semi-solid fillings. Truffle hollow spheres typically have a smaller curvature compared to praline shells to provide more space for the filling. The filling is placed inside the hollow sphere and then sealed with a thin layer of chocolate or other topping. In short, hollow spheres are used for making truffle chocolates with a creamy filling, while praline shells are used for chocolates with a firm or semi-firm filling. In addition, the hollow balls of truffles have a thinner layer of chocolate and are slightly larger than the praline shells. 

Is it possible to make your own hollow praline bodies or praline shells?

 Yes, it is possible to make praline hollow bodies or chocolate shells even by hand. Various methods and recipes exist for making hollow bodies from chocolate, depending on the intended size and shape. Special molds can be used to cast and harden the chocolate. Alternatively, it is possible to make a chocolate mold yourself by pouring melted chocolate into a mold and then letting it harden.
One can also use special molds for chocolate shells to shape the chocolate into the desired shape. You can also make them from silicone molds by pouring melted chocolate into the mold and then letting it set. It takes a bit of practice and patience to make hollow praline molds or praline shells yourself, but it's definitely doable to do at home. It can also be fun to try creative shapes and flavors. 

How can I make my own chocolate shells?

 There are several options to make your own praline hollow bodies. Here is a straightforward method to create chocolate hollow bodies:
Ingredients:
- Chocolate (milk, dark or white chocolate)
- Silicone or polycarbonate praline molds
- Optional: Filling (e.g. nuts, fruits, caramel).e.g. nuts, fruit, caramel)
- Optional: decoration (e.g. cocoa, chopped nuts, colorful sprinkles)
Instructions:
1. Melt the chocolate in a water bath or with a tempering device. Be careful not to let the chocolate get too hot while you heat it over the water bath. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely melted.
2. To get a smooth and shiny surface, temper the melted chocolate. Use a thermometer to cool the chocolate to the right temperature (about 31°C for milk chocolate, about 32°C for dark chocolate and about 29°C for white chocolate). You can also use the tabling method to temper the chocolate.
3. Pour the tempered chocolate into the praline molds. Carefully spread the chocolate so that it covers each hollow body evenly. You can also use a small ladle or piping bag to pour the chocolate into the molds.
Gently tap the molds to remove any air bubbles and smooth the surface of the chocolate.
5. Turn the mold upside down to allow the excess chocolate icing to drain. Slide a spatula or the back of a knife over the mold to remove the excess chocolate.
6. Place the praline mold in the refrigerator for a few minutes to set the chocolate.
7. Remove the praline mold from the refrigerator and fill the hollow bodies with the desired filling. Press the filling lightly to make sure it fits snugly into the hollow bodies. 

Where can you buy chocolate hollow bodies and chocolate shells?

 Adliswil is home to the miniSchoggi bakery and chocolate store, which is one of the largest chocolate stores in Switzerland and offers a wide range of chocolate products, including praline hollow bodies and praline shells. Not only can you buy the products in person at the store, but you can also order them online at miniSchoggi's website and have them delivered directly to your door. To ensure that the pralines hollow bodies and praline shells are not damaged during transport, they are carefully shipped padded in a sturdy cardboard box. At miniSchoggi, you'll find a variety of empty praline molds that you can use to make your own chocolates. The chocolate hollow molds are available in different designs, such as heart, oval, round, star, egg, square or as truffle balls. The hollow molds can be made from different types of chocolate, such as Lindt chocolate, Felchlin, Valrhona or by adding some cocoa butter and coating compound. The ball-shaped praline molds are available in a 63-pack. The praline shells are supplied in a pack of 45 pieces. 

For how long do hollow praline bodies that have been purchased remain edible?

The shelf life of praline hollow bodies purchased can vary, depending on the manufacturer and the ingredients used. However, usually you can find information about the best-before date on the packaging or label. This date indicates how long the praline hollow bodies retain their best quality under suitable conditions (cool and dry). It is important to observe the best before date and consume the hollow praline bodies before this date expires. After the expiration date, the hollow praline bodies can still be consumed, but the taste and consistency may change.

What is the difference between dark chocolate and dark chocolate?

 Bitter chocolate and fine dark chocolate are two different names for the same type of chocolate. The term "bitter chocolate" is usually used in the United States, while "fine dark chocolate" is more common in Europe. Both terms refer to chocolate that has a higher cocoa content than milk chocolate.
The specific difference in cocoa content varies depending on the manufacturer and country of origin. Generally, the cocoa content of dark or bittersweet chocolate ranges from 50% to even more than 90%. This gives it a more intense and tart flavor compared to sweeter milk chocolate.
Dark chocolate and bittersweet chocolate also contain less sugar and often no milk ingredients. Due to the higher cocoa content, they tend to have a higher nutritional value and a higher content of healthy flavanols, which have antioxidant properties and can have a positive effect on health.
However, there is no clear and uniform definition or standardization for the term "dark chocolate" or "dark chocolate", which is why the taste can vary depending on the brand and cocoa content. 

What materials are chocolate shells made of?

Praline shells are usually made of chocolate. The chocolate is heated and poured into various molds to make the shells. However, praline shells can also be made of other ingredients such as marzipan, nougat or caramel.

What different designs of chocolate shells exist?

 There are various designs of chocolate shells, which can differ depending on the manufacturer and use. Some typical variants are:
1. Traditional round shape: This is the most common variety of praline shells. They are circular in shape and have a smooth surface.
2. Squares or rectangles: these shapes are often used for filled chocolate bars or chocolate bars. They can be either square or rectangular.
3. chocolates with heart-shaped shells are popular as gifts for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day.
4. teardrop-shaped chocolates shells are especially good for filled chocolates with liquid filling, as they have a tip and are easy to close.
5. oval-shaped chocolates shells are an alternative option for filled chocolates and can have an elegant and appealing shape.
6Special shapes such as animals, flowers, fruits or other creative shapes can be used in making hollow praline shells depending on the occasion or theme.
The availability of certain shapes may vary by manufacturer, but these are some of the most commonly used hollow praline shell shapes. 

 For which praline shells are different fillings suitable?

 There are various fillings to choose from for praline shell. Some popular options are listed below:
1. Ganache: Ganache, a mixture of chocolate and cream, can be enhanced with different flavors such as vanilla, caramel, fruit or liqueur.
2. Nougat: Nougat is a sweet paste made from roasted nuts and sugar. There are different types of nougat, such as hazelnut, almond or chocolate.
3. Marzipan: Marzipan is made of ground almonds and sugar. It can be enhanced with flavors such as rose water, lemon zest or orange blossom water.
4. caramel: caramel is a sweet mixture of sugar and cream. It can be enhanced with sea salt, nuts or coffee.
5. Fruit filling: Fruit fillings often consist of pureed fruits and can be enriched with lemon juice or alcohol.
6. Praliné: Praliné is a combination of roasted nuts and caramel. It can be combined with chocolate, nougat or fruit.
7. Liqueur: Liqueur can be used as a filling to give pralines a special flavor, such as Baileys, rum or orange liqueur.
This list is not exhaustive, as there are countless ways to fill praline shells with different fillings. Everyone can try and experiment with their own creations and flavor combinations. 

In what way should the chocolates be stored after production?

It is recommended to store already made chocolate chocolates in a container that is both airtight and cool. It is best to store them in a place with low temperature, not exposed to direct sunlight. High temperatures can cause the chocolates to melt or lose their shape. Furthermore, they should be protected from moisture, as this can affect the taste, texture or shelf life of the chocolates.

Why purchase pre-made chocolate shells?

 There are several reasons for which someone might purchase praline shells:
1. Time saving: The production of praline shells requires a lot of time and skill. By buying already finished hollow bodies, one can save this effort and concentrate on filling and decorating.
2. Uniformity: Finished praline shells are uniform in terms of size, shape and stability. This allows for uniform filling and a professional appearance.
3. diversity: a wide range of praline shells are available, which can have different shapes, sizes and flavors. This provides the opportunity to create a variety of praline shells.
4. Addition to homemade fillings: Pre-made hollow shells can be a great addition to homemade praline fillings. By combining purchased hollow bodies with homemade fillings, you get individual and unique chocolates.
5. Professional appearance: When making chocolates as gifts or for sale, pre-made hollow bodies can give them a professional look and add a touch of elegance to the chocolates.