Icy squares are perceived as cold because the coconut oil they contain has a melting point significantly lower than that of chocolate, allowing it to melt easily in the mouth and absorb heat.
The feeling of "coldness" from icy squares comes from the rapid endothermic (heat-absorbing) process of the coconut oil melting in your mouth. Here's a breakdown:
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Melting Point of Coconut Oil: The crucial factor is that coconut oil's melting point lies between 20 and 23 degrees Celsius (68-73 degrees Fahrenheit). This is significantly lower than the temperature of your mouth (around 37 degrees Celsius or 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
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Heat Absorption: When the icy square enters your mouth, the coconut oil starts to melt because the mouth's temperature is higher. The melting process requires energy, which is absorbed from the surroundings – in this case, your mouth.
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Cooling Sensation: As your mouth loses heat energy to melt the coconut oil, you experience a cooling sensation. This is similar to how sweating cools you down; the evaporation of sweat absorbs heat from your skin.
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Comparison to Chocolate: Standard chocolate has a higher melting point, closer to body temperature. Therefore, the melting process doesn't draw as much heat from your mouth as quickly, resulting in less of a cooling effect.
In summary, the "coldness" of icy squares is not due to them being physically cold, but to the rapid melting of coconut oil, which absorbs heat from your mouth, creating a cooling sensation.
