Cargill patents new cocoa processing method

By Catherine Boal

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Cocoa Chocolate Cocoa butter Cargill

US based cocoa producer Cargill has developed a new method of
processing cocoa which allows for reduced fat content and greater
dispersibility in cocoa powder.

The process, which was awarded a patent last week, decreases the fat content in cocoa mass using a solvent and adds a dispersing agent to the reduced-fat mass - ultimately producing a more user-friendly product which will appeal to manufacturers. Traditional methods of extracting cocoa powder from the cocoa bean are complex and difficult. Common practice involves processing the bean into cocoa nibs and then cocoa liquor. The liquor is then further treated to separate the components cocoa butter from cocoa powder. This is usually done by pressing the liquor, leaving a solid mass which is cooled and milled to produce the fine powder used in confectionery and beverage applications. However, in pressing the liquor into a cake-like form, residual cocoa butter can be left in the resulting powder - rendering it lumpy and insoluble when mixed with water or milk as in chocolate-flavoured drinks. While most manufacturers add a dispersing agent such as lecithin to prevent this problem this increases production costs and raises the fat content of the final product. Cargill's solution of adding a dispersing agent to a solvent cocoa mass claims to provide more uniform mixing properties, reduce costs, offer manufacturers more flexibility in their choice of dispersing agents and lower the fat content.

Related news

Related products

show more

New eBook Available: The New Connected Workforce

New eBook Available: The New Connected Workforce

QAD Redzone | 21-Feb-2023 | Business Advice

With workers slow to return to manufacturing jobs, and new workers harder than ever to recruit, train, and retain, the labor dilemma has officially become...

Shelf-life enhancement of oils in deep frying conditions

Shelf-life enhancement of oils in deep frying conditions

Mane Kancor Ingredients Pvt. Ltd. | 04-Aug-2022 | Technical / White Paper

The current food industry crisis is multi-fold in nature that has impacted the edible oil markets globally. The situation has forced manufacturers to settle...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars