Final Answer:
The numbers 60/40/38 on the package of couverture indicate the percentage composition of cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and sugar, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The numbers on the package, 60/40/38, represent the percentage composition by weight of the key ingredients in the couverture. The first number, 60, corresponds to the percentage of cocoa mass or cocoa solids in the couverture. The second number, 40, represents the percentage of cocoa butter. Finally, the third number, 38, indicates the percentage of sugar in the couverture.
To calculate the actual amounts of each ingredient, you would use these percentages in relation to the total weight of the couverture. For example, if the total weight of the couverture is 100 grams, then the cocoa mass would be 60% of 100 grams, which is 60 grams. Similarly, the cocoa butter would be 40% of 100 grams, which is 40 grams, and the sugar would be 38% of 100 grams, which is 38 grams.
In summary, the numbers on the package serve as a breakdown of the couverture's composition, allowing consumers and professionals in the culinary industry to understand the proportions of cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and sugar in the product. This information is crucial for achieving desired flavors and textures in chocolate-based preparations.