Chocolate Shipping Policy
Kitchen Kneads only ships to addresses in the United States and Canada.
Kitchen Kneads will not be responsible for perishable items shipped.
Due to hot weather in some areas of the country, if you order perishable items (chocolates and candies, etc.), Kitchen Kneads STRONGLY advises you choose UPS 2nd Day Air or UPS Next Day Air. Kitchen Kneads is not be responsible for melted or damaged items sent by any other shipping method and without a cold pack.
We highly recommend that you add our Cold Pack(s) when shipping in heat sensitive areas and during the summer months.
Warning possible “Cocoa Bloom”!
Chocolate contains cocoa butter, a cocoa bean fat that is sensitive to heat and humidity. Temperatures above 75 degrees will cause the chocolate to melt. The cocoa butter can rise to the surface and form a very thin grayish discoloration called “cocoa butter bloom.” Condensation on milk or semi-sweet chocolate may cause the sugar to dissolve and rise to the surface as “sugar bloom.” Cocoa bloom usually affects a very thin layer of the chocolate with a discoloration but the chocolate is still good to use. Neither “bloom” affects the quality or flavor of the chocolate, just remelt and re-temper the chocolate and the butter will mix back into the chocolate.
Protection of Perishable Products During Shipment
Most orders going to “hot” areas of the country containing perishables (chocolates and candies, etc.) are available to be packed with leak-proof Cold Packs. Cold Packs are a viscous gel refrigerant specially formulated with food-safe non-toxic materials and hermetically sealed in a heavy plastic pouch that stays colder than wet ice. Cold Packs is the ultimate in refrigerant packs. Cold Packs are tested and proven to be the coldest & best gel refrigerant available.
When you select Cold Packs, Kitchen Kneads will take great efforts to protect your perishable items from exposure to heat by placing these items in the lower, center portion of the box and will try to put non-perishable items around them, as well as, placing Cold Packs in the box to further shield them from the heat.
If you choose regular UPS Ground shipping, your order will be held until Monday before it is shipped. This will help prevent the package from sitting in a UPS warehouse which may be extremely hot over a weekend.
**EVEN THOUGH WE MAY PACK YOUR ORDER WITH ICE PACKS, Kitchen Kneads WILL NOT GUARANTEE THE ITEM TO ARRIVE UNMELTED OR IN PERFECT CONDITION ON PERISHABLE ITEMS.