Abstract:
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for drying and/or roasting beans for foodstuff, such as cocoa beans, or parts of beans, such as cocoa nibs, comprising a frame, a drum (2) for receiving the beans or parts of beans rotatably mounted in the frame and at least partially closed at one end (3) and open at the other (4), a shell (5) enveloping the drum (2), a door (7) for closing the open end (4) of the drum (2), a heater (19) for heating the drum (2), and a fan and a valve (26) for maintaining an underpressure in the space (20) between the drum (2) and the shell (5). A seal (30) is located in the clearance between the drum (2) and the shell (5).
Abstract:
A process for producing a cacao syrup from liquefied pulp created during fermentation of cacao seeds in the chocolate-making process. This process comprises selecting adequately ripe and disease free cacao pods; opening said pods and removing the cacao seeds and pulp; placing the seeds and pulp in a heap or covered fermentation box; fermentation of said seeds and pulp resulting in liquefied pulp, or drippings; collecting the drippings for a period of one hour after the start of fermentation; filtering the drippings; and reducing the drippings through boiling to produce cacao syrup. Cacao syrup can be used to produce various products, including soft drinks and drinking vinegar- Further fermentation and distillation results in an alcoholic spirit. Pure cacao syrup can be used in food preparation as a flavoring or texturizing agent.
Abstract:
Natural, dark brown cocoa products are disclosed. Processes for producing such natural, dark brown cocoa products are also disclosed, as well as foods including such cocoa products. In each of various embodiments, the present invention helps fulfill these needs and discloses processes for producing "natural" cocoa products that have the color of alkalized cocoa products. Cocoa products produced by such methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Das Verfahren zum Trocknen und/oder Rösten eines Lebensmittels wird in einer Behandlungseinrichtung (2) umfassend eine Behandlungskammer (3) und zumindest eine Heizeinrichtung (3) durchgeführt. Das Verfahren umfasst den Schritt des Erhitzens eines Gases mittels der Heizeinrichtung (4). Ein weiterer Verfahrensschritt umfasst ein Heizen einer Aussenseite (5) der Behandlungskammer (3) und insbesondere ein Durchführen eines Teils oder des gesamten erhitzten Gases durch die Behandlungskammer, wobei das Durchführen durch die Behandlungskammer (3) vor dem Heizen, nach dem Heizen oder gleichzeitig mit dem Heizen der Aussenseite (5) erfolgen kann. Durch das Heizen und/oder mittels des durchgeführten erhitzten Gases erfolgt ein Trocknen und/oder Rösten des Lebensmittels in der Behandlungskammer (3). Während des Trocknens und/oder Röstens erfolgt ein Ermitteln einer Kontrollgrösse in der Behandlungskammer (3) auf Basis eines Messwerts eines Sensors. Das Heizen und/oder das Durchführen von erhitztem Gas werden geregelt in Abhängigkeit von der ermittelten Kontrollgrösse, insbesondere der Feuchtigkeit.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the use of a microbial composition for regulating the fermentation of such materials, in particular using compositions comprising specific combinations of microorganisms including at least three Lactobacillus species and a yeast species. The present invention further relates to a method for regulating fermentation of cocoa material, such as beans and/or pulp by using a microbial composition as defined herein, and to the fermented cocoa material thereby obtained. The invention also relates to the use of the obtained fermented cocoa material for the preparation of cocoa products and products derived therefrom, including chocolate. The present invention further relates to a method for downstream processing of cocoa beans that have been fermented with a microbial composition as defined herein, and to the downstream products thereby obtained.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for processing unfermented cocoa beans wherein the cocoa beans are depulped and wherein separated pulp and depulped cocoa beans are separately treated. In particular, the method comprises a fermentation of pulp and at least onetreatment of depulped cocoa beansunder acidic conditions, followed by preparing a mixture of fermented pulp andacid-treated depulped cocoa beans and the further processing of such mixture. The invention also relates to cocoa beans that are obtained or obtainable by methods of the present invention, to the use thereof for preparing food products, preferably chocolate products, or cocoa products, including cocoa extracts, and to food products and cocoa products, including cocoa extracts thereby obtained.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Trocknen und/ oder Rösten von Kakaokernen und/ oder Kakaokernteilen in einer von außen beheizbaren Trommel (10). Erfindungsgemäß erfolgt zusätzlich zur Außenbeheizung der Trommel (10) für eine Wärmeübertragung durch Konvektion ein Einleiten eines erhitzten Reingasstroms (5) in die Trommel (10). Dieser Reingasstrom wird durch die Tromme! (10) händurchgeleitet. Die Erfindung betrifft ferner eine Vorrichtung zum Trocknen und/ oder Rösten von Kakaokernen und/ oder Kakaokernteilen, die insbesondere zur Durchfuhrung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens geeignet ist.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for processing cocoa fruits, comprising the steps of: (a) adding water to cocoa beans to form a suspension; (b) wet grinding said suspension; (c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70°C or less; (d) separating the suspension into a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) and a solid phase, said fat phase comprising cocoa butter as a major component and solids and/or water as minor components and said solid phase comprising cocoa powder and water; and (e) separately processing the three phases, which optionally comprises: separating cocoa butter from the fat phase, separating cocoa powder from the solid phase, and separating cocoa aroma and a polyphenolic powder from at least the water phase; wherein the cocoa beans are non-depulped; or wherein cocoa pulp contained in cocoa fruits are separated from the cocoa beans in a depulping step, processed separately from the cocoa beans, and subsequently added to the suspension before or during any of steps (a), (b), (c), or (d). Further disclosed are methods of manufacturing of a cocoa product construction kit and chocolate or chocolate-like, products comprising high amounts of nutritionally beneficial and useful components of the cocoa fruit, such as e.g. polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins and/or sugars, making use of the above technique.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for processing cocoa beans or nibs comprising the steps of: (a) adding water to cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; (b) wet grinding said suspension; (c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70°C or less; (d) separating the suspension into: a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) comprising cocoa butter, and a solid phase comprising cocoa powder and fluid components; (e) continuously separating the fluid components from the solid phase obtained in step (d) to obtain cocoa aroma and cocoa powder by supplying a flow of said solid phase to a mixing device; wherein the mixing device comprises: a cylindrical, tubular body with a horizontal axis having an inlet opening for the solid phase, an outlet opening for the dried solid phase and an optional outlet opening for a vapor phase comprising cocoa aroma; end plates closing the tubular body at its opposite ends; a coaxial jacket heating or cooling the internal wall of the tubular body to a temperature of from 55°C to 150°C; and a bladed rotor, which is supported for rotation in the tubular body, its blades being arranged as a helix and oriented for centrifuging the solid phase and simultaneously transporting it towards the outlet opening.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for processing unfermented cocoa beans, comprising the steps of: (a) adding water to said unfermented cocoa beans to form a suspension; (b) wet grinding said suspension; (c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70°C or less; (d) separating the suspension into a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) and a solid phase, said fat phase comprising cocoa butter as a major component and solids and/or water as minor components and said solid phase comprising cocoa powder and water; and (e) separately processing the three phases, which optionally comprises: separating cocoa butter from the fat phase, separating cocoa powder from the solid phase, and separating cocoa aroma and a polyphenolic powder from at least the water phase. Further disclosed are methods of manufacturing of a cocoa product construction kit and chocolate or chocolate-like products comprising high amounts of nutritionally beneficial and useful components of the cocoa fruit, such as e.g. polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins and/or sugars, making use of the above technique.