Product Enquiries Answered ...
Does your chocolate contain Nuts (peanuts, etc)?
We make many types of different chocolates, some with nuts and some without. It always best to refer to the Nutritional Information Panel on the back of packaging before consuming, or contact us about nut based and nut free specific products and where you can purchase.
Are Ernest Hillier Chocolates gluten free?
The chocolate itself is gluten free, but gluten may be introduced in the centre filled chocolates where we use glucose syrup. Glucose Syrup is derived from wheat which contains gluten.
What is Emulsifier 322?
Soy Lecithin – it's used to combine fats.
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What is Food Acid 330 and 331?
Food Acid 330 is Citric Acid, 331 is Sodium Citrate.
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What is Thickener 1400?
Present in glazing agent used for polishing scorched products. It is a modified maize starch.
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What is vegetable fat?
Group of fats of plant origin, usually derived from seeds of various trees. Distinguished by their low melting range.
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What is Compound Chocolate?
Cocoa Butter is excluded from the recipe and replaced with vegetable fats. Also, cocoa powder is used in place of cocoa liquor.
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What is “bloom”?
Fat bloom: due to exposure to elevated temperature and time of exposure. Fat from cocoa butter begins to melt and migrates to the surface of the chocolate. Upon hardening it gives a characteristic “white” appearance. Bloom can occur at temperatures as low as 24C, if left for extended periods or 35C if left for shorter periods.
Sugar Bloom: A result of chocolate manufacture or left in too cold an environment where surrounding humidity is high. Moisture from the air is absorbed causing sugar on the surface of the chocolate to dissolve and crystalise, giving a similar white grainy effect.
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Where does Ernest Hillier purchase ingredients?
Where necessary, when we cannot buy local product we source from overseas.
Sugar – Australian
Cocoa Liquor & Cocoa Butter – Ivory Coast
Milk Powder – Australian
Nuts – Australian and some Chinese peanuts
Ginger – Buderim region, Australia.
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What is HACCP (Hazard Analysis at Critical Control Points)?
System of identifying potential hazards in all steps of manufactruing process and after determining those that are critical to the safety of the product, put into place preventative and monitoring procedures to eliminate or control these hazards. It also requires validation of the control measured verification that they are effective.
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Are Ernest Hillier Chocolates Kosher or Halal?
No. However, they do not contain gluten derived from animal sources.
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Are Ernest Hillier Chocolates “hand made”?
Yes and No. Some processes such as cooking, creating certain fillings and placement of chocolates etc are handled with care by hand. Other parts of the chocolate making process are such as wrapping and bagging are automated.
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