Yes, cacao paste does melt.
Cacao paste, also known as cacao mass or cocoa liquor, is essentially pure chocolate liquor made from ground cacao beans. Because it contains cocoa butter, a fat that melts at relatively low temperatures, it will melt when heated.
Here's a breakdown:
- What is cacao paste? Cacao paste is the result of grinding roasted cacao beans into a smooth, liquid state. It contains both cocoa solids and cocoa butter.
- Why does it melt? The cocoa butter content is what allows cacao paste to melt. Like butter or other fats, cocoa butter has a melting point that is easily reached.
- How is it used? You can melt cacao paste for various culinary applications, such as:
- Making hot chocolate by melting it into milk or a dairy alternative.
- Creating chocolate sauces and ganaches.
- Using it as a base for homemade chocolates.
Therefore, due to the presence of cocoa butter, cacao paste will melt when exposed to heat.
