CFW Blog

Compound vs Couverture – which should you use?

There are a number of popular ‘chocolate’ bars which are now having to change their title to ‘chocolate-flavoured’ bars. This includes white KitKats and Digestives, as well as milk Penguin and Toffee Crisp bars. Due to the rising price of cocoa, businesses are changing their formulas to include more vegetable fat than cocoa butter. This creates a chocolate-flavoured compound. While chocolate snobs may turn their nose up at this, compound chocolate can be much easier to work with than couverture, depending on what you plan to do with it. Meanwhile, couverture also has uses that vary distinctly from compound. It offers a richer taste, a more premium finish and a more traditional chocolate experience.

The trick is knowing when to use each one.

Waffle on a Stick – a Portable Treat

There is an undeniable allure about food on a stick. Whether it is skewered kebabs, cake pops, ice lollies or American corn dogs, something about being able to eat your food mess-free, on the go, is sure to attract customers. The idea of putting waffles on a stick originated in America in the 1920s, at a time when the street food craze was on the rise. Nowadays, waffles on a stick can be enjoyed on the go or in a dessert establishment, all with the help of the Sephra Plus Long Waffle Maker. This is available on CFW, alongside all other products for your waffle-making needs.

For businesses looking to add something different to their menu, waffles on a stick are a simple but effective option. They are familiar enough to appeal to a wide customer base, while still feeling exciting enough to attract attention.

CFW’s Chocolate Equipment – What It’s Great For

Working with chocolate can appear simple at first. To melt chocolate and put it in a mould is easy enough, but to create commercial-quality premium chocolates, choosing the right equipment is crucial.

CFW’s chocolate equipment allows you to create chocolates to a commercial standard. With it, you can control temperature, improve hygiene, create cleaner finishes and work more efficiently. For chocolatiers looking to improve their practice and create chocolates that are as luxurious as they are delicious, CFW is the place to buy your equipment and help ensure consistent, high-quality results.

A Guide to CFW’s Vegan Products

According to a statistic by finder.com, 6.3% of UK adults made plans to, or already followed, a vegan diet. That’s an estimated 3.5 million people! With the rise in popularity of the vegan diet, businesses can no longer settle without good quality plant-based options on their menu. Not only do people avoid dairy & egg products because of their diet choice. It’s also because they may have food intolerances.

Adding delicious vegan desserts to your menu is a sure way to increase your range of potential customers. But it doesn’t have to be a complicated endeavour! On CFWs website, you can find a number of mixes, ingredients and toppings to contribute to your menu without complicating your process.

The Unique Potential of Waffle Balls

people have made waffles using the same technique for centuries. Typically made with flour, eggs, milk and butter, they begin as a batter poured into a waffle iron and heated until golden. The first known waffle recipe dates back to the late 14th century, but modernisation has since turned the waffle into an iconic treat enjoyed across the world. Waffle makers became a household staple in the 1900s, allowing more people to enjoy fresh waffles at home. With that popularity came innovation, and with innovation came the Sephra Plus Rotational Waffle Ball Baker. This machine offers a playful twist on the traditional square or circular waffle. Instead of producing one large waffle, it creates bite-sized waffle balls. For dessert parlours, cafés, caterers and fun food businesses, this format offers a distinctive menu staple with almost endless possibilities.

Which Chocolate should I Use in a Chocolate Fountain?

Not all chocolate is made for chocolate fountains. A lot of supermarket-bought chocolate bars taste good, but they do not always melt into the glossy, smooth consistency needed for a fountain. Many melt too thickly, flow unevenly, form lumps and eventually put strain on the motor. In some cases, the wrong chocolate can even clog the machine.This is why choosing the correct type of chocolate matters. For a fountain, you need chocolate with the right fat content, texture and flow. Cocoa butter helps chocolate melt more smoothly, but you also need to keep a rich, chocolatey flavour.The best choice or many customers is a blend made specifically for melting and fountain use. Sephra’s Fountain Ready Chocolate Flavoured Blend combines Belgian couverture with chocolate flavoured compound. It gives you the taste of Belgian chocolate while staying smooth, creamy and ready to flow.

Is a Popcorn machine worth it for events?

Whether you enjoy popcorn or not, it is hard to deny the pull of that buttery, sweet smell drifting through a cinema foyer. Popcorn is a familiar snack that catches the attention of customers time and time again. It is affordable, easy to eat on the go and instantly recognisable. However, serving fresh popcorn does not have to be limited to the pictures. It can work just as well at markets, fairgrounds, open days, parties, school events and seasonal stalls. The nostalgic look of a red and gold popcorn maker can help draw people in before they have even seen the menu.

With Sephra’s 8oz popcorn machine, businesses can serve fresh, golden popcorn quickly and conveniently. It creates visual theatre, adds a fun focal point to your setup and gives customers a tasty snack that is easy to enjoy while walking around.

Metal vs Wooden Crêpe Spreaders

There are a lot of factors to consider when making crêpes. The batter needs the correct consistency. The crêpe plate needs the right temperature. It also needs properly prepared with oil. One thing people often forget to consider is crêpe spreaders.

Catering businesses commonly use both metal and wooden crêpe spreaders. Each one has its own benefits, drawbacks and preferred uses. The best crêpe spreader for you will often depend on your experience level, your commercial setup and the type of crêpes you want to make.

Maple Syrup by Sephra – The Real Deal

The maple-flavoured syrup you pour over your pancakes in the morning may not be real maple syrup at all. Many “maple-flavoured” syrups are sweet substitutes made with corn syrups, refined cane sugar, flavourings and colourings. They can look authentic at first glance, but some contain only a small percentage of actual maple tree sap, or none at all.

Authentic maple syrup is much simpler. It does not need a long ingredient list to taste good. It comes directly from the sap of maple trees. The natural sugars, colour and flavour develop during the boiling process. Sephra Maple Syrup is 100% natural and authentic, unlike the golden bottles you see lined on supermarket shelves. It is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, with no added preservatives or colourings. For cafés, dessert parlours, bakeries and breakfast venues, it offers a more authentic alternative to standard maple-flavoured syrup. It simply is the real deal.

Bubble Tea – The Drink of Summer

Bubble Tea has grown rapidly worldwide and has become a standout summer drink in recent years. Colourful, refreshing and customisable, it appeals to customers looking for a sweet alternative to their usual coffee or soft drink. It is also visually appealing, making it perfect for customers who enjoy sharing drinks on social media.

For cafés, dessert parlours, kiosks and event vendors, this beverage offers an opportunity to add easy yet premium drinks to the menu. CFW’s Bubble Tea range includes ready-to-use Popping Boba and jasmine green tea syrups, giving businesses a simple way to start selling Boba just in time for summer.

CFW Blog is the ultimate resource for dessert parlour owners. The blog provides ideas, solutions and recipes to help you improve your dessert business