This is the best time of day to eat chocolate - you've probably been doing it wrong

A new report has revealed the best time of day for eating chocolate - and it might not be when you think it is. According to experts, those of us who have waited until after lunch, or even later, have been doing it wrong because it has been revealed that the best time of day to consume our favourite bar is actually before 11 o'clock in the morning.

According to the study, chocolate should not be stored in the fridge, even if the temperature outside is soaring. It should be kept in a cool spot in the home to prevent it melting. The study, commissioned by Galaxy, found that the UK is a nation of chocolate-lovers, with 34 per cent of people eating a bar every day.

Natalie Alibrandi, a food scientist, said the biggest mistake people make other than eating chocolate at the wrong time of day is storing it in the fridge. She told The Telegraph that the ideal temperature is 18C, adding: “If chocolate is too warm, it will crumble or melt in your hands. If you cannot hear a snap when it breaks, it is probably not at the right temperature."

According to scientists, the best time to eat chocolate is between 9am to 11am as your palate has not been tainted by other flavours from lunch. However, the survey revealed that this is something only one in five (20%) of British people do.

Here are Natalie Alibrandi’s 10 rules for eating chocolate:

1. Consume earlier in the day with a fresh palate for a mid-morning caffeine boost to help power through to lunch.
2. Do not store in the fridge but at 18 degrees to prevent oxidation, sugar bloom and any transfer of odours.
3. Let it melt so you enable the cocoa butter to coat your mouth, allowing you to experience all flavours.
4. Eat small quantities such as up to six pieces of 4-gram portions to prevent overstimulation of the taste buds.
5. Use all your senses because sight, smell, texture and even hearing is part of the experience.
6. When chocolate snaps that means it is tempered correctly and has the right structure and quality.
7. No distractions - chocolate has so many volatiles and nuances so give it as much attention as it deserves.
8. Eat sweet chocolate (milk or white) with bitter foods and bitter chocolate with saltier foods.
9. Wait for the aftertaste - some chocolates can leave a 45-minute aftertaste, but in most cases it is around 15 minutes.
10. Mixing different types of chocolate can overstimulate tastebuds so avoid mixing different types such as milk and dark chocolate.

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