Crystal Structures of 1,3-Distearoyl-2-oleoylglycerol and Cocoa Butter in the β(V) Phase Reveal the Driving Force Behind the Occurrence of Fat Bloom on Chocolate

Abstract

On the basis of high-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data, crystal structures have been solved for 1,3-distearoyl-2-oleoylglycerol, a major cis-mono-unsaturated triglyceride fraction of cocoa butter, and cocoa butter itself in the β(V) phase. The latter implies that in fact a crystal structure model of chocolate in the β(V) phase has been obtained. The results clarify the metastability of the β(V) phase and explain why fat bloom may develop on β(V)-type chocolate that has been stored at temperatures that are too high.