OA16613A

OA16613A - Fruity flavored cocoa products and processes for producing such cocoa products.

Info

Publication number: OA16613A
Application number: OA1201300424
Authority: OA
Inventors: Harrold Glenn Anijs
Original assignee: Archer Daniels Midland Company
Priority date: 2011-04-08
Filing date: 2012-04-09
Publication date: 2015-11-20

Abstract

Cocoa products having a fruity flavor comprising an increased amount of a fruity aroma compounds are disclosed. The cocoa products are produced by a method comprising mixing cocoa nibs, de-shelled cocoa beans, or a combination thereof with an acid and water and roasting the acidified nibs, the acidified de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof.

Description

TITLE

FRUITY FLAVORED COCOA PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING SUCH COCOA PRODUCTS

INVENTOR

Harrold Glenn Anijs

TECHNICAL FIELD

Methods for producing cocoa products with fruity flavors are disclosed. Cocoa products including, without limitation, cocoa powders and cocoa liquors produced according to such methods are also disclosed, as well as food products including such cocoa products.

BACKGROUND ART

Cocoa bean processing includes fermenting harvested beans, drying the beans, de-hulling the beans to produce nibs, sterilizing the nibs, roasting the nibs, crushing the nïbs into cocoa liquor, and optionally pressing the cocoa liquor to obtain cocoa butter and cocoa powder. Variations in this process also are known. Dutched cocoa powder is produced by alkalizing the nibs prior to roasting. Alkalization is a process where nibs are heated in water in the presence of sodium, potassium, ammonium, or magnésium hydroxide or carbonate, for example and without limitation, potash (K₂CO₃). The alkalization process alters the flavor, coloring, and solubility of the cocoa powder in water.

Current commercial demands require a cocoa manufacturer to produce cocoa products in a broad palette of colors, flavors, or both. While each manufacturer understands that manipulation of processing conditions such as température, water content, duration of processing time, and pH will affect the color and flavor of the cocoa powder produced, there is no general consensus as to how to produce a cocoa product of a consistently désirable color, flavor, or both.

US Patent Application Publication US 2008/0107783 describes methods of producing bright red, brown, and red-brown cocoa products. Such publication discloses novel colored cocoa products and uses thereof.

International Publication WO 2009/067533 describes a process for producing acidified red cocoa products and ingrédients. Such methods are performed on under-fermented or unfermented cocoa beans that are treated with an acid, such as hydrochloric or phosphoric acid.

However, needs continually exist for processes for producing cocoa products having desired colors, flavors or both.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In one embodiment, a cocoa product having a fruity flavor comprises an increased amount of a fruity aroma compounds.

In another embodiment, a method for producing a cocoa product having a fruity flavor comprises mixing cocoa nibs, de-shelled cocoa beans, or a combination thereof with an acid and water, and roasting the acidified nibs, the acidified de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a spider graph of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention.

FIG. 2 is a spider graph showing the relative concentrations of six flavor compounds of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a spider graph of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention.

FIG. 4 is a spider graph showing the relative concentrations of six flavor compounds of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 îs a spider graph of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention.

FIG. 6 is a spider graph showing the relative concentrations of six flavor compounds of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a spider graph of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention.

FIG. 8 îs a spider graph showing the relative concentrations of six flavor compounds of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a spider graph of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention.

FIG. 10 is a spider graph of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the amount of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention.

FIG. 12 is a spider graph of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention.

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating a ratio of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention as compared to a reference Arriba cocoa product. FIG. 14 is a spider graph of the ratio of flavor compounds depicted in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating a ratio of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention as compared to a reference natural cocoa product.

FIG. 16 is a spider graph of the ratio of flavor compounds depicted in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating a ratio of flavor compounds présent in various embodiments of fruity cocoa products of the présent invention as compared to a reference Arriba cocoa product. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, fruity flavored cocoa products are disclosed. The fruity flavored cocoa products hâve a fresh, fruity flavor and taste.

In one embodiment, a method for producing cocoa products having a fruity flavor is disclosed. The method includes mixing cocoa nibs, de-shelled beans, or a combination thereof with an acid and water, and roasting the acidified cocoa nibs, de-shelled beans, or the combination thereof. In another embodiment, the acidified cocoa nibs, the acidified de-shelled, beans, or the combination thereof is washed with water.

In a further embodiment, the acid is selected from the group consisting of gluconic delta lactone acid, phosphoric acid, ascorbic acid, sodium bisulphate, acid, and combinations of any thereof. The cocoa nibs, the de-shelled beans, or the combination thereof may be good fermented, under fermented, or a combination thereof.

In yet an additional embodiment, the nibs, the de-shelled beans, or the combination thereof are sterilized.

In an additional embodiment, the nibs, the de-shelled beans, or the combination thereof may be in contact with the acid for a period of from about 0.5 to about 4 hours, at a température of between about 15°C to about 90°C, or a combination of such time and température.

In another embodiment, the roast cocoa nibs, the roast de-shelled beans, or the combination thereof are roasted to a moisture content of less than about 2%.

In yet a further embodiment, the roast cocoa nibs, the roast de-shelled beans, or the combination thereof are ground, thus producing cocoa liquor. The cocoa liquor may be separated into cocoa butter and cocoa presscake, or the cocoa liquor may be defatted. The cocoa presscake may be further ground into cocoa powder.

After such processing, the beans or nibs may be further roasted and/or ground to cocoa liquor and, optionally, pressed into cocoa powder presscake and cocoa butter. The presscake may be ground to produce cocoa powder. This process yields cocoa products having fruity flavors and such cocoa products may be unusually bright, and typically red, brown and red-brown.

In an additional embodiment, a cocoa product having an increased amount of at least one fruity aroma compound is disclosed. The fruity aroma compound is selected from the group consisting of furaneol, phenylacetaldehyde, ethyl-2-methylpropanoate, ethyl-2methylbutanoate, ethyl-2-methylbutanoate, and combinations of any thereof.

In a further embodiment, a cocoa product of the présent invention comprises an amount of a fruity aroma compound selected from the group consisting of at least 2.5 pg/kg of ethyl-2methylpropanoate, at least 5 pg/kg of ethyl-2-methylpropanoate, at least 7.5 pg/kg of ethyl-2methylbutanoate, at least 15 pg/kg of ethyl-2-methylbutanoate, at least 10 pg/kg of ethyl-3methylbutanoate, at least 20 pg/kg of ethyl-3-methylbutanoate, at least 50 pg/kg of phenylacetaldehyde, at least 100 pg/kg of furaneol, and combinations of any thereof.

In another embodiment, the fruity flavored cocoa products of the présent invention are cocoa powder, cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, or combinations of any thereof.

In another embodiment, the cocoa products of the présent invention are désirable since the cocoa products hâve an increase in fruity flavors, yet hâve less bitterness. The bitterness may be associated with compounds such as polyphenols, pyrazines, non-volatile compounds, and combinations of any thereof. Thus, in another embodiment, cocoa products produced from good fermented cocoa beans having fruitier flavor and less bitterness as compared to cocoa products produced from under fermented or unfermented cocoa beans are disclosed. In another embodiment, the cocoa products of the présent invention hâve less than 500 pg/kg of acrylamide, or less than 250 pg/kg of acrylamide.

Fruity flavored cocoa products are desired in certain food applications. For instance, fruity cocoa products may fit well with yoghurt flavored food products or other food flavors. In one embodiment, the cocoa products of the présent invention hâve an increased amount of fruity aroma compounds or fruity compounds as compared to conventîonal cocoa products. Fruity aroma compounds include, but are not limited to, furaneol, phenylacetaldehyde, ethyl-2methylpropanoate, ethyl-2-methylbutanoate, ethyl-2-methylbutanoate, and combinations of any thereof.

In another embodiment, the fruity flavored cocoa products of the présent invention may hâve a bright color which refers to cocoa products with a C value more than about 18,0,19.0, 20.0, 21.0, 22.0, 23.0, 24.0, 25.0, or higher, inclusive of intervals between those values. In another embodiment, the fruity flavored cocoa products of the présent invention are red, redder, or more red which refers to a cocoa product having an H value approximately in the range of from about 35 to about 55, about 40 to about 45, or about 48 to about 56, (CIE 1976) that has an H value less than another, référencé cocoa powder. In another embodiment, the fruity flavored cocoa products of the présent invention are brown, browner, or more brown and refer to a cocoa product with an H value approximately in the range of from about 45 to about 55 (CIE 1976) that has an H value greater than another, référencé cocoa powder.

In yet an additional embodiment, a fruity flavored cocoa product of the présent invention has a color value selected from the group consisting of an L value of between about 18 to about 29, an L value of between about 22 to about 29, a C value of about 23 to about 30, an H value of between about 35 to about 55, and combinations of any thereof. Further, the fruity flavored cocoa product of the présent invention may hâve a pH of between about 3 to about 6, a pH of between about 4.5 to about 6, or a pH of between about 4.5 to 5.

In one embodiment, a starting material for the processes described herein may be de-shelled cocoa beans which refers to any suitable cocoa bean fraction/product having the shells substantially removed, broken, and/or winnowed. Non-limiting examples of de-shelled cocoa beans include, but are not limited to, nibs, kernels, and cotylédons. De-shelled cocoa beans typically contain a small fraction of contaminating shells that are within commercially acceptable tolérances since no de-shelling process is 100% complété.

In another embodiment, a pH of the de-shelled cocoa beans may be manipulated by placing an acidic or alkaline agent in contact with the de-shelled cocoa beans. Optionally, after the acidic or alkaline agent is placed in contact with the de-shelled cocoa beans, the de-shelled cocoa beans may be washed. Alkalization agents are known in the art, and may include, but are not limited to, water and sodium, potassium, ammonium or magnésium hydroxide or carbonate, potash (K₂CO₃), and combinations of any thereof. Acid agents are known in the art and may include, without limitation food grade acids or organic acids. Examples of food grade acids include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric acid, sodium acid sulfate, sodium bisulphate acid, sodium acid phosphate, phosphoric acid, and combinations of any thereof. Examples of organic acids include, but are not limited to, gluconic acid, gluconic delta lactone acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, lemon juice, lime juice, acetic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and combinations of any thereof.

V

In an additional embodiment, the cocoa beans used to produce the fruity flavored cocoa products of the présent invention are good fermented. In a further embodiment, the cocoa beans used to produce the fruity flavored cocoa products of the présent invention are under- or un- fermented.

In a further embodiment, another process parameter that may help achieve optimal coioring of the fruity flavored cocoa product is to minimize sterilization of the beans or nibs prior to pH manipulation.

In one embodiment, the fruity flavored cocoa products produced herein are suitable for many commercial purposes, including, without limitation, food products. Examples of food products include, but are not limited to, chocolaté, dark chocolaté, milk chocolaté, semi-sweet-chocolate, baking chocolaté, candies, pralines, truffles, candy bars, flavoring syrup, confectionary coatings, compound coatings, fillings, beverages, milk, ice cream, beverage mixes, smoothies, soy milk, cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, pies, diet bars, meal-substitute solid foods and beverages, energy bars, chocolaté chips, yogurt, yogurt drinks, pudding, mousse, mole, chocolatés with lower bitterness, chocolaté with fillings such as yogurt, cheesecake or fruit, and cocoa powders for use in cheese, dairy or beverages.

In another embodiment, fruity flavored cocoa products including, without limitation, powders and/or liquors having extraordinary brightness are produced by the methods described herein. The fruity flavored cocoa products may hâve an L color co-ordinate value greater than 16 or in a range of 22-29, a pH less than 7.0 or in a range of 3.0-6.0, and exhibit a high brightness expressed by a C color coordinate value greater than 20 or in a range of 23-30. H-values (CIE 1976) may fall in the red-to-brown range of between 35-55.

A number of objective methods for measuring the color of cocoa products are known. In one method, the Hunter color system or CIE 1976 (CIELAB) and like Systems, color may be described in terms of three parameters: Lightness (L)--the light or dark aspect of a color, where the lower the L-value, the darker the cocoa powder will appear; Chroma (C)-the intensity of a color by which one distinguishes a bright or gray color, where the higher the C-value, the brighter the powder will be; and Hue (H)-- referring to color in daily speech, such as red, yellow, or blue. For cocoa powders, a low H value indicates a red color and a high H-value indicates a brown color.

The CIE 1976 color system descrîbes colors in terms of coordinates L, a* and b*. The L coordinate is consistent with the Value of Lightness, and from the a* and b* coordinates, the Chroma and Hue can be calculated as follows: C*= (square root over (a*²+b*²)}; H=arctan(b*/a*}·

The spectral color is the resuit of the source of light and the reflecting surface. For a good reproducible measurement of color, the source of light is standardized. There are two basic approaches for measuring color: visually or by instrumentation. There is a natural human tendency to trust only one’s own eyes. For this reason, colors are stîll frequently judged visually. To be able to do this in a reproducible manner, certain standard conditions should be met: the light source, for example and without limitation, a CIE standard light source; the positions of the sample, relative to the light source, which are preferably at an angle of 45° to each other; the background of the sample, uniform and preferably gray; the distance between the eyes and the sample and position of the eyes relative to the sample; and the size of the sample.

In practice, color cabinets are used with standard light sources for visual color déterminations. Color meters and spectrophotometers are used for instrument color readings. Instrument color measurements were made in the Examples herein using a Datacolor Spectraflash 500 Color spectrophotometer in the manner described herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the color values described in the Examples, and ail reference herein to color values L, C, H, a and b (a* and b*, respectively), are readings using the Datacolor Spectraflash 500 Color spectrophotometer. The color parameters described herein refer to the L, C, H parameters that can be calculated from L, a and b readings according to the CIE 1976 system. The color values recited herein are approximate in the sense that color measurements may vary from spectrophotometer-to-spectrophotometer, typically in the range of+/- 0.5 for L, C and H values. Therefore, the stated values for L, C and H are intended to include such variation inhérent between spectrophotometers, The color values of cocoa powders, unless indicated otherwise, are obtained on samples of pulverized cocoa cakes (post pressing to remove cocoa butter) in water.

The following examples illustrate various non-limiting embodiments of the compositions within the présent disclosure and are not restrictive of the invention as otherwise described or claimed herein.

EXAMPLES

Example 1. Production of cocoa products with ascorbic acid.

Under fermented Sulawesi beans were used to produce 2,000 grams of under-fermented nibs. The nibs were mixed with 3,000 mL of a 0.5M ascorbic acid solution having a température of 25°C in a plastic bucket having a volume of eight liters. After stirring, the nibs in the acid solution were placed in a stove with rotating air at a température of 25°C for four hours.

The wet, acidified nibs were drained to remove the excess acid solution. The drained nibs were rïnsed several times with tap water until the pH of the watery residue coming off of the rinsed nibs was in the range of 3.2-5.0. After rinsing, the moisture content of the nibs was in the range of 44-50%.

The washed nibs were dried in a stove with rotating air at a température of 50°C for 20 hours to reduce the moisture content to the range of 3-5%. The dried nibs were roasted in a Retch fluidized bed dryer (i.e., jet roaster) for 15 minutes at a température of 110°C to lower the moisture to 1-2%.

The roasted nibs were ground to coarse liquor in a household coffee mill, and further ground to cocoa liquor of a desired fineness in a Retsch laboratory mortar mill.

A first portion of the fine ground liquor was extracted to obtain a fat free cocoa powder and a second portion of the fine ground liquor was hydraulic pressed into small cakes and filtered cocoa butter. The cakes were broken into small pièces and the pièces were pulverized into cocoa powder with a Retsch cutting mill with sieves having holes of 0.5 mm.

Example 2. Production of cocoa products with ascorbic acid.

The wet, acidified nibs were drained to remove the excess acid solution. The drained nibs were rinsed several times with tap water until the pH of the watery residue coming off of the rinsed nibs was in the range of 3.2-5.0. After rinsing, the moisture content of the nibs was in the range of 44-50%.

The washed nibs were dried in a Retch fluidized bed dryer (i.e., jet roaster) for 75 minutes at a température of 120°C to reduce the moisture content to 1-2%.

Example 3. Production of cocoa products with gluconic delta lactone acid solution.

Under fermented Sulawesi beans were used to produce 2,000 grams of under-fermented nibs. The nibs were mixed with 3,000 mL of a 0.5 M gluconic delta lactone acid solution having a température of 25°C were mixed ïn a plastic bucket having a volume of eight liters. After stirring, the nibs in the acid solution were placed in a stove with rotating air at a température of 25°C for four hours.

Example 4. Production of cocoa products with gluconic delta lactone acid solution.

Under fermented Sulawesi beans were used to produce 2,000 grams of under-fermented nibs. The nibs were mixed with 3,000 mL of a 0.5 M gluconic delta lactone acid solution having a température of 25°C were mixed in a plastic bucket having a volume of eight liters. After stirring, the nibs in the acid solution were placed în a stove with rotating air at a température of 25°C for four hours.

The roasted nibs were ground to coarse liquor in a household coffee miil, and further ground to cocoa liquor of a desired fineness in a Retsch laboratory mortar mill.

Example 5. Production of cocoa products with sodium bisulphate acid solution.

Under fermented Sulawesi beans were used to produce 2,000 grams of under-fermented nibs. The nibs were mixed with 3,000 mL of a 0.5 M sodium bisulphate acid solution having a température of 25°C were mixed in a plastic bucket having a volume of eight liters. After stirring, the nibs in the acid solution were placed in a stove with rotating air at a température of 25°C for four hours.

Example 6. Production of cocoa products with sodium bisulphate acid solution.

The roasted nibs were ground to coarse liquor in a household coffee mil!, and further ground to cocoa liquor of a desired fineness in a Retsch laboratory mortar mill.

Example 7. Production of cocoa products with phosphoric acid.

Under fermented Sulawesi beans were used to produce 2,000 grams of under-fermented nibs. The nibs were mixed with 3,000 mL of a 0.16 M phosphoric acid solution having a température of 25°C were mixed in a plastic bucket having a volume of eight liters. After stirring, the nibs in the acid solution were placed in a stove with rotating air at a température of 25°C for four hours. The wet, acidified nibs were drained to remove the excess acid solution. The drained nibs were rinsed several times with tap water until the pH of the watery residue coming off of the rinsed nibs was in the range of 3.2-5.0. After rinsing, the moisture content of the nibs was in the range of 44-50%.

Example 8. Production of cocoa products with phosphoric acid.

Under fermented Sulawesi beans were used to produce 2,000 grams of under-fermented nibs. The nibs were mixed with 3,000 mL of a 0.16 M phosphoric acid solution having a température of 25°C were mixed in a plastic bucket having a volume of eight liters. After stirring, the nibs in the acid solution were placed in a stove with rotating air at a température of 25°C for four hours.

Example 9. Production of référencé or control cocoa product.

Under fermented Sulawesi beans were used to produce 2,000 grams of under-fermented nibs. These nibs were not placed in contact with an acid solution as described in Examples 1-8.

The nibs were dried in a Retch fluidized bed dryer (i.e., jet roaster) for 75 minutes at a température of 120°C to reduce the moisture content to 1-2%.

Tables 1A and 1B show the process conditions used to produce the cocoa products of Examples 1-9.

Table 1A. Process conditions of cocoa products of Examples 1-4 and the control or référencé, Example 9.

Example number	Ex. 1	Ex. 2	Ex. 3	Ex. 4	Ex. 9
nibs from 100% Bad fermented Sulawesi beans
Charge Weight (g)	2000	2000	2000	2000	2000

moisture content (%)	6.4	6.4	6.4	6.4	6.4
Fat content (%)	50.5	50.5	50.5	50.5	50.5
Butter of Sulawesi nib
Free Fatty Acid content (%)	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1
lodine value	36.2	36.2	36.2	36.2	36.2
Acidification with acid solution during 4 hrs
3000 g of acid solution ( 25°C )	Ascorbic	Ascorbic	GDL	GDL
Acid solution (w%)	8.1	8.1	8.2	8.2
Molarity (M) of acid solution ( mol / liter)	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Spécifie weight {gram/liter)	1039.3	1039.3	1051.1	1051.1
pH	2.22	2.22	2.01	2.01
Charges of tap water for washing the nib
Tap water for every washing step of the nibs ( g)	3000	3000	3000	3000
Température tap water ( °C )	21.6	21.6	20	20
pH of the tap water	6.32	6.32	6.32	6.32
pH of the Watery residue
after 4 hours acidification	3.72	3.72	3.37	3.37
after first washing with tapwater	3.88	3.88	3.55	3.55
after second washing with tap water	3.97	3.97	3.66	3.66
after third washing with tap water	4.07	4.07	3.75	3.75
Drying methods of the wet acidified nibs	Stove	Jet roast	Stove	Jet roast	Jet roast
Moisture content of the nib (%) :
Raw unacidified nibs (w%)	6.4	6.4	6.4	6.4	6.4
After washings with water	46.6	46.6	44.9	44.9	13.5

After 20 hrs drying at 50 °C in the stove	4.26		k,9
After 75 min Jet roasting at 120 °C (SP is 120 °C)		1.8		1.9
After 25 min jet roasting at 100 °C (before grinding)	< 1	< 1	< 1	< 1	< 1

Table 1B. Process conditions of cocoa products of Examples 5-8 and the contrai, Example 9.

Example number	Ex. 5	Ex. 6	Ex. 7	Ex. 8	Ex. 9
nibs from 100% sulawesi beans (bad fermented)
Charge Weight (g)	2000	2000	2000	2000	2000
moisture content (%)	6.4	6.4	6.4	6.4	6.4
Fat content (%)	50.5	50.5	50.5	50.5	50.5
Butter of raw nib
Free Fatty Acid content (%)	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1
lodine value	36.2	36.2	36.2	36.2
Acidification with acid solution during 4 hrs
3000 g of acid solution ( 25 °C )	NaHSO4	NaHSO4	H3PO4	H3PO4
Acid solution (w%)	5.7	5.7	1.6	1.6
Molarity (M) of acid solution ( mol / liter)	0.51	0.51	0.16	0.16
Spécifie weight ( gram/liter)	1042.5	1042.5	1026.4	1026.4
pH	0.86	0.86	1.45	1.45
Charges of tap water for washing the nib
Tap water for every washing step of the nibs ( g)	3000	3000	3000	3000
Température tap water ( °C )	21.6	21.6	21.6	21.6

pH of the tap water	6.32	6.32	6.32	6.32
pH of the Watery residue
after 4 hours acidification	1.63	1.63	3.64	3.64
after first washing with tap water	2.12	2.12	4.09	4.09
after second washing with tap water	2.32	2.32	4.58	4.58
after third washing with tap water	2.52	2.52	4.99	4.99
after fourth washing with tap water	2.68	2.68	5.06	5.06
after five washing with tap water	2.82	2.82
after six washing with tap water	2.96	2.96
after seven washing with tap water	3.21	3.21
after eight washing with tap water	3.45	3.45
after Nine washings with tap water	3.72	3.72
Drying methods of the wet acidified nibs	Jet Roast	Stove	Jet roast	Stove	Jet roast
Moisture content of the nib (%) :
Raw un acidified nibs (w%)	6.4	6.4	6.4	6.4	6.4
After washings with water	47.6	47.6	43.5	43.5	13.5
After 20 hrs drying at 50 °C in the stove		4.2		4.3
After 75 min Jet roasting at 120 °C (SP is 120 °C)	2.5		2.5
After 25 min jet roasting at 100 °C (before grinding)	< 1	< 1	< 1	< 1	< 1

The cocoa liquor, cocoa powderand cocoa butter produced in Examples 1-9 were characterized as shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Color of cocoa liquor and cocoa powder of Examples 1-9.

Example number	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Acid	Ascorbic	Ascorbic	GDL	GDL	NaHSO₄	NaHSO„	h₃po₄	H₃PO₄

Drying in stove	X		X			X		X
Drying in jet roaster		X		X	X		X
Liquor
Intrinsic Colour FFD ( in water)
Lffd	27.58	25.44	25.51	23.65	23.18	25.58	23.30	24.28	23.2f
C ffd	27.00	25.73	23.77	23.98	27.26	27.32	23.54	24.17	23.8f
H ffd	52.14	50.09	48.32	48.53	42.25	39.44	49.02	50.67	53.3'
affd	16.57	16.51	15.80	15.88	20.18	21.09	15.44	15.31	14.21
b ffd	21.32	19.74	17.75	17.97	18.33	17.35	17.77	18.69	19.11
Powder
PH	4.52	4.53	4.38	4.48	3.4	3.47	4.76	4.72	5.96
% moisture	2.37	2.56	2.35	2.26	2.41	2.55	2.31	2.83	2.07
% fat	15.67	13.88	14.92	12.98	13.78	13.93	13.56	16.68	15.1
Intrinsic Colour (in water)
L tôt	30.13	27.67	27.87	25.64	25.26	27.78	25.37	26.94	25.Î
Ctot	27.89	26.56	24,55	24.75	28.12	28.05	24.34	25.17	24.1
H tôt	52.74	50.57	48.80	48.91	42.57	39.76	49.42	51.22	53.·
a tôt	16.88	16.87	16.17	16.27	20.71	21.57	15.84	15.77	14.<
b tôt	22.2	20.52	18.47	18.65	19.02	17.94	18.49	19.62	20.

filtered Butter
Free fatty acid (WZ)	1.02	1.00	1.00	0.99	1.08	1.03	1.00	0.94	1.C
lodine value(I.V.)	36.2	36.3	36.2	36.2	36.2	36.2	36.3	36.3	36

Table 2 indicates that the strength of the acid solution and the drying method has an influence on the color and on the pH of the cocoa product produced. Also, drying in the jet roaster appears to make the final color darker and redder. The stronger acid solution also makes the colorofthe powders brighterand redder.

The color values L, C, and H were determined for the cocoa products of Examples 1-9 using the CIE LAB data color system. Such colors were also transformed into the color values L, a, and B of the Hunier Lab color system. These colors are shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Color values of cocoa products of Examples 1-8 and the control, Example 9.

Example	Ex. 1	Ex. 2	Ex. 3	Ex. 4	Ex. 5	Ex. 6	Ex. 7	Ex. 8	Ex. 9
pH	4.52	4.53	4.38	4.48	3.4	3.47	4.76	4.72	5.96
CIE lab
Ltot	30.13	27.67	27.87	25.64	25.26	27.78	25.37	26.94	25.53
Ctot	27.89	26.56	24.55	24.75	28.12	28.05	24.34	25.17	24.80
H tôt	52.74	50.57	48.80	48.91	42.57	39.76	49.42	51.22	53.74
a tôt	16.88	16.87	16.17	16.27	20.71	21.57	15.84	15.77	14.67
b tôt	22.2	20.52	18.47	18.65	19.02	17.94	18.49	19.62	20.00

Hunter lab
L tôt	25.08	23.10	23.26	21.51	21.21	23.19	21.30	22.52	21.42
C tôt	15.50	14.61	13.82	13.50	15.99	16.79	13.19	13.71	13.00
H tôt	48.31	46.00	45.72	44.78	36.63	35.26	45.45	47.31	49.57
a tôt	10.31	10.15	9.65	9.58	12.84	13.71	9.25	9.29	8.43
b tôt	11.58	10.51	9.89	9.51	9.54	9.70	9.40	10.08	9.89

An analysis was done on the cocoa powders produced in Examples 1-9. The results are shown in Tables 4A and 4B.

Table 4A. Lab analysis results on cocoa powders of Examples 1-4 and the control, Example 9.

Example number	Ex. 1	Ex. 2	Ex. 3	Ex. 4	Ex. 9
Type drying process	Jet roast	Stove	Stove	Jet roast	Jet roast

Potassium as K (%)	0.5	0.5	0.49	0.47	2.0
Sodium as Na (%)	0.0068	0.0079	0.0047	0.0048	0.027
Ash content (%)	2.92	2.98	2.82	2.92	6.36
Total alkalinity (ml/100g)	30.54	31.7	25.83	26.16	75.12
Total Iron as Fe (mg/kg)	41	42	48	46	59
Aluminium as Al (mg/kg)	31	29	22	20	51
Silicium as Si (%)	<0.01	<0.01	<0.01	<0.01	0.02
Phosphorous as P (%)	0.54	0.55	0.61	0.35	0.89
Sulphate as SO4 (%)	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	<0.2	< 0.2
Ochratoxin A (ug/kg)	<0.4	<0.4	<0.4	< 0.4	<0.4
Acrylamide (ug/kg)	100	160	170	190	830
Acetic acid (%)	0.05	0.06	0.06	0.06	0.26
Citric acid (%)	0.47	0.38	0.44	0.33	1.53
Lactic acid (%)	0.05	0.05	0.07	0.05	0.26

Table 4B. Lab analysis results on cocoa powders of Examples 5-8 and the control, Example 9.

Example number	Ex. 5	Ex. 6	Ex. 7	Ex. 8	Ex. 9
Type drying process	Jet roast	Stove	Jet roast	Stove	Jet roast
Potassium as K (%)	0.15	0.18	0.59	0.54	2.0
Sodium as Na (%)	0.1	0.11	0.027	0.024	0.027
Ash content (%)	2.02	2.04	3.63	3.46	6.36
Total alkalinity (ml/100g)	13.78	12.46	24.71	26.58	75.12
Total Iron as Fe (mg/kg)	60	62	49	47	59
Aluminium as Al (mg/kg)	22	24	22	26	51
Silicium as Si (%)	<0.01	<0.01	<0.01	<0.01	0.02
Phosphorous as P (%)	0.43	0.45	0.61	0.41	0.89
Sulphate as SO4 (%)	<0.2	<0.2	<0.2	<0.2	<0.2

Ochratoxin A (ug/kg)	<0.4	< 0.4	< 0.4	<0.4	<0.4
Acrylamide (ug/kg)	140	85	280	320	830
Acetic acid (%)	0.05	0.03	0.07	0.07	0.26
Citric acid (%)	0.11	0.22	0.4	0.45	1.53
Lactic acid (%)	0.02	0.02	0.06	0.06	0.26

FIG. 1 shows a flavor profile of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors produced in Ex. 1, Ex. 2, and the control, Ex. 9. Gas chromatography and mass spec was used to détermine the amount ofthe compounds shown in FIG. 1. The graph in FIG. 1 shows ratios of the concentrations of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors of Ex. 1, Ex. 2, and the control, Ex. 9.

FIG. 2 shows a flavor profile of six compounds présent in the cocoa liquors produced in Ex. 1, Ex. 2, and the control, Ex. 9. Gas chromatography and mass spec was used to détermine the amount of the compounds shown in FIG. 2. The graph in FIG. 2 shows ratios of the concentrations of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors of Ex. 1, Ex. 2, and the control, Ex. 9.

FIG. 3 shows a flavor profile of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors produced in Ex. 3, Ex. 4, and the control, Ex. 9. Gas chromatography and mass spec was used to détermine the amount of the compounds shown in FIG. 3. The graph in FIG. 3 shows ratios of the concentrations of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors of Ex. 3, Ex. 4, and the control, Ex.

9.

FIG. 4 shows a flavor profile of six compounds présent in the cocoa liquors produced in Ex. 3, Ex. 4, and the control, Ex. 9. Gas chromatography and mass spec was used to détermine the amount of the compounds shown in FIG. 4. The graph in FIG. 4 shows ratios of the concentrations of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors of Ex. 3, Ex. 4, and the control, Ex. 9.

FIG. 5 shows a flavor profile of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors produced in Ex. 5, Ex. 6, and the control, Ex. 9. Gas chromatography and mass spec was used to détermine the amount of the compounds shown in FIG. 5. The graph in FIG. 5 shows ratios of the concentrations of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors of Ex. 5, Ex. 6, and the control, Ex. 9.

FIG. 6 shows a flavor profile of six compounds présent in the cocoa liquors produced in Ex. 5, Ex. 6, and the control, Ex. 9. Gas chromatography and mass spec was used to détermine the amount of the compounds shown in FIG. 6. The graph in FIG. 6 shows ratios of the concentrations of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors of Ex. 5, Ex. 6, and the control, Ex. 9.

FIG. 7 shows a flavor profile of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors produced in Ex. 7, Ex.

8, and the control, Ex. 9. Gas chromatography and mass spec was used to détermine the amount of the compounds shown in FIG. 7. The graph in FIG. 7 shows ratios of the concentrations of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors of Ex. 7, Ex. 8, and the control, Ex.

9.

FIG. 8 shows a flavor profile of six compounds présent in the cocoa liquors produced in Ex. 7, Ex. 8, and the control, Ex. 9. Gas chromatography and mass spec was used to détermine the amount of the compounds shown in FIG. 8. The graph in FIG. 6 shows ratios of the concentrations of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors of Ex. 7, Ex. 8, and the control, Ex.

9.

FIG. 9 shows a flavor profile of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors produced in Ex. 1, Ex. 6, Ex. 7, and Ex. 3. Gas chromatography and mass spec was used to détermine the amount of the compounds shown in FIG. 9. The graph in FIG. 9 shows ratios of the concentrations of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors of Ex. 1, Ex. 6, Ex. 7, and Ex. 3.

FIG. 10 shows a flavor profile of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors produced in Ex. 2, Ex. 5, Ex. 8, and Ex. 4. Gas chromatography and mass spec was used to détermine the amount of the compounds shown in FIG. 10. The graph in FIG. 10 shows ratios of the concentrations of compounds présent in the cocoa liquors of Ex. 2, Ex. 5, Ex. 8, and Ex. 4.

Example 10. Production of fruity cocoa products with good fermented cocoa beans. Good fermented cocoa beans were 50% Ghana and 50%lvory Coast-1, and a reference sample of 100% Arriba beans was used.

Charges of 2.50 kg of cocoa nibs obtained from the cocoa beans were sterilized for 30 minutes in a box with open steam at a température of 101°C, +/-0.1°C. The steam flow capacity was 2.4 kg/hr and the injected steam pressure was almost 0.1 bar. The sterilized nibs having the température of 101°C were loaded in a reactor with jacket heating where the température was reduced to 75-78°C. In the reactor, the nibs were heated to température of 90-95°C using the jacket heating.

An acid solution having a température of 20°C and 40°C was added to the nibs in the reactor for the acidification process. The average reaction température of the nibs was 55-95°C. Nib samples were taken after a desired acidification (reaction) time.

The nib samples 10-15 were roasted in a Retch fluidized bed dryer, which is a laboratory scale jet roaster. The nib samples 16-21 were roasted in a Miag Spit which is a direct roasting. During roasting, the moisture content of the nibs was reduced from 20-30% down to 1-2%. The roasted nibs were fist ground to coarse liquor with a household coffee mill and subsequently ground to cocoa liquor of a desired fineness with a Retsch laboratory mortal mill.

A first portion of the fine ground liquor was extracted to obtain fat free cocoa powder and a second portion of the fine ground liquor was hydraulic pressed into small cakes and filtered cocoa butter. The cakes were broken into smaller pièces which were pulverized into cocoa powder with a Retsch cutting mill using sieves of holes with 0.5 mm.

Samples 10-21 and the reference or control sample 22 were analyzed for: moisture content in the raw nib (before and after sterilization), the acidified nib, the roasted nib, and the cocoa liquor; pH of the liquor; aroma compound analysis of the liquor; and intrinsic color in water of the defatted liquor.

Tables 5A and 5B show process conditions and results for Samples 10-21. The reagents for

Samples 10, 12, 14, and 17 were a phosphoric acid solution (0.64 M) and tap water, and the reagents for Samples 11, 13, 15, 16, and 28-21 were a gluconic delta lactone acid (GDL) solution (3.0 M) and tap water.

Table 5A.

Sample No.	10	11	12	13	14	15
%GDL added at 40°C		20		20		20
%H3PO4 added at 20°C	20		20		20
Reaction temp of nibs in reactor (°C)	55	55	55	55	55	55
Reaction time (min)	60	60	180	180	120	120
Moisture content of nibs (%)
Raw nib	8.07	7.94	8.07	7.94	8.07	7.94
After sterilization	14.14	16.14	14.14	16.14	14.14	16.14
After acidification	27.27	25.17	26.16	24.95	27.06	23.63

After Roasting	2.97	3.12	2.47	3.50	2.14	2.75
Liquor
pH	4.82	4.88	4.54	4.56	4.61	4.64
Moisture content (%)	0.8	0.82	0.92	0.78	0.88	0.83
Jet roasting (fluidized bed dryer)	X	X	X	X	X	X
Miag Spit roasting (direct contact roasting)

Table 5B.

Sample No.	16	17	18	19	20	21
%GDL added at 40°C	20		20	20	10	10
%H₃PO₄ added at 20°C		20
Reaction temp of nibs in reactor (°C)	55	55	80	80	80	80
Reaction time (min)	180	180	90	180	180	90
Moisture content of nibs (%)
Raw nib	7.84	7.84	7.81	7.81	7.65	7.65
After sterilization	12.82	13.14	13.47	13.47	14.47	14.47
After acidification	23.57	25.45	23.36	22.83	18.55	19.14
After Roasting	2.49	2.78	3.24	3.60	3.73	3.16
Liquor
PH	4.66	4.56	4.81	4.40	4.86	4.88
Moisture content (%)	0.80	0.82	0.78	0.82	0.70	0.80

Jet roasting (fluidized bed dryer)
Miag Spit roasting (direct contact roasting)	X	X	X	X	X	X

The amount of fruity aroma compounds in the liquor of Samples 10-21 and the control, Reference Sample 22, Arriba beans, was determined by GCMS analysis and the amount of such compounds are shown in Tables 6A and 6B. The amount of each compound is shown in 5 pg/kg.

Table 6A.

Compound	Arriba	10	11	12	13	14	15
Ethyl-2-methylpropanoate	1.61	14.69	9.91	6.95	10.40	10.02	9.62
Ethyl-2-methylbutanoate	4.42	30.17	22.03	18.23	26.36	21.29	22.75
Ethyl-3-methylbutanoate	6.93	38.54	28.83	22.94	33.80	26.89	28.93
Phenylacetaldehyde	23.71	23.64	55.27	51.29	51.63	70.25	54.25
Furaneol	73.65	1467.2Î	1729.10	866.1 Ξ	1791.88	1770.40	852.40

Table 6B.

Compound	Arriba	16	17	18	19	20	21
Ethyl-2-methylpropanoate	1.61	14.50	11.98	8.33	6.48	12.69	10.57
Ethyl-2-methylbutanoate	4.42	29.09	25.56	20.32	17.56	29.66	26.00
Ethyl-3-methylbutanoate	6.93	38.45	34.01	25.89	22.91	38.41	33.07
Phenylacetaldehyde	23.71	342.96	141.50	170.65	245.63	129.27	496.35
Furaneol	73.65	1967.7«	1251.22	1763.02	1327.92	2927.8'	1447.25

FIG. 11 shows the concentrations of the fruity compounds of Tables 6A and 6B in graphical form.

A ratio of the concentrations of the fruity compounds of Tables 6A and 6B using Arriba as a reference are shown in Tables 7A and 7B.

Table 7A.

Compound	Arriba	10	11	12	13	14	15
Ethyl-2-methylpropanoate	1.00	9.14	6.17	4.32	6.47	6.23	5.98
Ethyl-2-methylbutanoate	1.00	6.83	4.99	4.13	5.97	4.82	5.15
Ethyl-3-methylbutanoate	1.00	5.56	4.16	3.31	4.88	3.88	4.18
Phenylacetaldehyde	1.00	1.00	2.33	2.16	2.18	2.96	2.29
Furaneol	1.00	19.92	23.48	11.76	24,33	24.04	11.57

Table 7B.

Compound	Arriba	16	17	18	19	20	21
Ethyl-2-methylpropanoate	1.00	9.02	7.45	5.18	4.03	7.89	6.57
Ethyl-2-methylbutanoate	1.00	6.59	5.79	4.60	3.98	6.71	5.89
Ethyl-3-methylbutanoate	1.00	5.55	4.91	3.74	3.31	5.54	4.77
Phenylacetaldehyde	1.00	14.46	5.97	7.20	10.36	5.45	20.93
Furaneol	1.00	26.72	16.99	23.94	18.03	39.75	19.65

FIG. 12 shows a spider graph of the ratios of fruity compounds of Tables 7A and 7B.

Êxample 11. Compound coatings produced with fruity cocoa products.

Three compound coatings were produced using the fruity cocoa powder of Example 3. The formulations of the three compound coatings are shown in Tables 8-10.

Table 8. Yoghurt compound coating.

Sugar	41.00%
Palm Kernel Stearin	34.00%
Whey Powder	10.00%
fruity cocoa powder Example 3	6.50%
Lactose	5.00%
lecithin	0.50%
D-13 Yoghurt Powder	3.00%

total

100.00%

Table 9. Compound coating with fruity cocoa powder.

Sugar	54.00%
Palm Kernel Stearin	29.00%
fruity cocoa powder Example 3	16.50%
lecithin	0.50%
total	100.00%

Table 10. Limon compound coating with fruity cocoa powder.

Sugar	53.85%
Palm Kernel Stearin	29.00%
fruity cocoa powder Example 3	16.50%
lecithin	0.50%
Lime flavouring	0.15%
total	100.00%

A sensory test was done to compare the limon compound coating of Table 10 produced with the fruity cocoa powder of Example 3 and a reference limon compound coating made with commercially available cocoa powder using the formulation of Table 10. The limon compound coating with the fruity cocoa powder had more acidity/fruity flavors, more bitterness, more bouquet, more sweet, and more aromatic flavors as compared to the reference limon compound coating using the commercially available cocoa powder.

Example 12. Production of fruity cocoa products with good fermented cocoa beans using various acids. Good fermented cocoa beans were 50% Ghana and 50%lvory Coast-1.

The cocoa products produced in this Example were produced in substantially the same manner as the process described in Example 10, but using the acids in the amounts listed in Table 11.

Table 11. Acids and color values of powders.

Sample

L-value

C-value

H-value

a-value

b-value

pH

Référé nce -naturel, not treated with acid or alkali	24.88	28.59	55.34	16.26	23.62	5.82
Ascorbic acid 0.5 M	25.23	29.35	53.80	17.33	23.68	4.46
H₃PO₄ (1.55%) -by weight	26.65	27.58	53.68	16.33	22.22	4.67
NaHSO₄ (5.7%) -by weight	24.02	29.08	49.97	18.70	22.27	3.50
GDL (0.5 M)	24.57	27.37	53.37	16.33	21.97	4.56

Example 13. Production of fruity cocoa products with good fermented cocoa beans using gluconic acid. Good fermented cocoa beans were 50% Ghana and 50%lvory Coast-1.

Charges of 10,000 kg of cocoa nibs obtained from the cocoa beans were pre-heated with open steam pressure of 0.5 bar to a température of 100-105°C for 3-5 minutes. The 10,000 kg, preheated cocoa nib charges were placed into five different blenders and sterilized for 30 minutes with open steam at a steam pressure of 0.5 bar and a température of 100-105°C. After sterilization, 10% by weight of a 50% by weight solution of giuconic acid delta lactone having a température of 27-30°C was added to the cocoa nibs in the blender and the acidification process was started. The addition of the gluconic acid delta lactone solution slowly dropped the température of the cocoa nibs from 95°C to 88°C. No steam was added during the acidification process.

No air was injected into blenders 1-4 during the acidification process and blender 5 did hâve air injected. The acidification time was 90 minutes and the average reaction température of the nibs during the acidification process was 75-90°C for blenders 1-4. In blender 5, air was injected for 45 minutes according to the following schedule: 0-15 minutes, no air injection; 1530 minutes, air was injected; 30-45 minutes, no air injection; 45-60 minutes, air was injected; 60-75 minutes, no air injection; and 75-90 minutes, air was injected.

The acidified nibs were roasted with a constant capacity of 4500 kg/hr. The roasted nibs were ground in a Buhler mill and a bail mill to produce cocoa iiquor of the desired fîneness. The pH, moisture content, intrinsic color in water of the defatted Iiquor, and presence of fruity flavor compounds were measured for the cocoa Iiquor. The cocoa Iiquor was also pressed into dry cakes having about 11% fat, and the dry cakes were also processed into cocoa powder. The pH, moisture content, intrinsic color in water, and presence of fruity flavor compounds were measured for the cocoa powder. During the process, samples were taken every hour.

A summary of the process conditions ; pH, moisture content, and fat content of the cocoa liquor; and free fatty acid and iodine value of the cocoa butter produced are shown in Table 12.

Table 12. Process conditions and results of measurements.

Blender No.	1	2	3	4	5
Acidification time (minutes)	90	90	90	90	90
Gluconic acid (50% by weight solution) added	10	10	10	10	10
Blower time (minutes)	0	0	0	0	45
Nibs
Moisture content of raw nib (%)	7	7	7	7	7
Moisture content of acidified nib (%)	15.9	14.34	14.07	14.35	12.63
Moisture content after 2^nd dryer (%)	2.0-2.5	2.0-2.5	2.0-2.5	2.0-2.5	2.0-2.5
Moisture content after nib cooler (%)	1.90	1.80	1.60	1.70	1.70
Cocoa liquor produced
pH	4.7	4.6	4.5	4.4	4.4
Moisture content (%)	1.2	1.1	1.1	1.1	1
Fat content (%)	51.3	51.6	52.2	51.9	51.5
Butter produced
Free Fatty Acid (%)	1.7	1.7	1.7	1.6	1.6
Iodine Value	34.3	34.3	34.3	34.3	34.3

A summary of the percent moisture ïn the nib and liquor, percent fat in the liquor, pH of lhe liquor, and intrinsic color of the liquor in water are shown in Table 13.

Table 13. Analysis of the cocoa liquor produced at various time intervals during the process.

Sampling time	Start of process	1 hou	2 hour	3 hours	4 hours	5 hours	6.5 hou	6.75 ho	Reference Sample Natural liquor
% moistur in nib after nib cooler	2.33	1.61	1.74	2.13	1.66	1.56	1.92	1.68	1.5
% moistur in liquor produced	1.27	1.06	1.03	1.08	1.07	1.08	1.08	1.01	1.01
% fat in liquor	50.61	52.01	51.25	52.1	52.1	52.37	51.9	51.52	54.89
pH liquor	4.84	4.61	4.55	4.57	4.46	4.41	4.43	4.40	5.58
Intrinsic color in water
L	23.30	24.23	24.35	24.84	24.87	24.78	24.74	24.90	26.42
C	23.49	24.05	24.41	24.64	24.54	24.93	25.08	24.81	24.80
H	53.90	54.23	52.24	54.49	54.51	53.82	53.97	54.12	54.42
a	13.84	14.06	14.26	14.31	14.25	14.72	14.75	14.54	14.43
b	18.98	19.51	19.81	20.06	19.98	20.12	20.28	20.10	20.17

The average pH of the cocoa liquor during the run was about 4.65, the average fat content in the cocoa liquor during the run was about 51.7%, the average moisture content of the nib after the nib cooler was about 1.82%, and the average moisture content of the liquor produced during the run was about 1.08%. The color values of the cocoa liquor produced are comparable with those of the reference, natural liquor.

A summary of the percent moisture in the cocoa powder, percent fat in the cocoa powder, pH of the cocoa powder, and intrinsic color of the cocoa powder in water are shown in Table 13.

Table 13. Analysis of the cocoa powder produced at various time intervals during the process. 10 ffd refers to fat free dry matter or fat free cocoa powder.

r'

Sampling time	Start of process	1 hou	2 hours	3 hours	4 hours	5 hours	6.5 hc	6.75 hours	Reference Sampli Natural liquor
% moistur powder	3.45	3.04	2.99	3.57	3.91	3.02	2.79	2.53	4.04
% fat in powder	12.48	11.50	10.69	10.74	10.70	10.93	11.35	11.31	20.80
pH powde	4.72	4.54	4.47	4.52	4.45	4.48	4.47	4.60	5.60
Intrinsic color in water of powder
L	21.78	23.21	23.87	25.21	23.85	23.96	23.94	24.84	25.72
C	23.35	23.81	24.51	26.35	24.21	24.90	24.89	26.44	25.18
H	52.99	53.70	53.70	53.49	54.00	53.31	53.33	54.09	54.06
a	14.06	14.11	14.51	15.68	14.23	14.88	14.87	15.51	14.78
b	18.65	19.21	19.75	21.18	19.58	19.97	19.96	21.51	20.39
Intrinsic color in water of ffi powder
L	19.82	21.39	22.14	23.36	22.00	22.19	22.15	23.06	22.30
C	22.41	22.99	23.72	25.50	23.36	24.09	24.07	25.60	23.67
H	52.72	53.42	53.43	53.17	53.71	53.03	53.04	53.78	53.50
a	13.57	13.70	14.13	15.29	13.83	14.49	14.47	15.12	14.08
b	17.83	18.46	19.05	20.41	18.83	19.24	19.23	20.65	19.03

The average pH of the cocoa powder produced from the cocoa liquor was about. 4.53. The color values of the cocoa powder produced are comparable to those of the reference sample, natural liquor.

A summary of cocoa powders and pulverized cakes made from cocoa liquors during the process are shown in Table 14.

Table 14. Comparison of cocoa powders produced.

Sample Description	% moisture	% fat	PH	Lffd	Cffd	Hffd	L	C	H
Pulverized cakes Made from liquor at 3 hours after process began	3.08	11.71	4.53	21.48	23.76	53.87	23.03	24.65	54.15
Pulverized cakes Made from liquor at 6.75 hours after Process began	2.69	10.58	4.48	22.36	24.73	53.74	24.04	25.52	53.91
Pulverized cakes from one press machine	2.98	11.03	4.64	20.7	24.1	54.04	22.42	24.98	54.30
Pulverized cakes from other press machine	3.06	12.64	4.64	20.68	24.62	53.95	22.63	25.63	54.25
Pulverized cakes From one batchmaker	3.41	12.64	5.20	18.44	22.19	53.74	20.30	23.18	53.99
Pulverized cakes From other batchmaker	3.05	12.34	4.94	19.33	22.92	53.91	21.19	23.88	54.17
Final powder from One batchmaker	4.40	12.38	4.85	19.48	23.34	53.89	21.54	24.41	54.18
Final powder from Other batchmaker	4.70	12.73	5.05	18.30	22.57	53.52	20.39	23.69	53.82

Reference Sample

4.40

20.80

5.6

22.30

23.67

53.50

25.72

25.18

54.06

The microbiological results of the final powders produced were good and ail within commercially acceptable limits for cocoa powders.

An SGS analysis on a cocoa powder produced is shown in Table 15.

Table 15. SGS analysis on cocoa powder.

Ash content (%)	6.59
Total alkalinity (ml/100g)	83.67
Total iron as Fe (mg/kg)	280
Potassium as K (%)	2.5
Sodium as Na (%)	0.005
Aluminum as Al (mg/kg)	89
Silicium as Si (%)	<0.01
Citric acid (%)	0.97
Acetic acid (%)	0.45
Lactic acid (%)	0.33
OchraToxin A (pg/kg)	0.3
Acrylamide (pg/kg)	230

The values of Fe, Al, Si, and acrylamide in the cocoa powders of the présent invention are much lower than those measured in natural powders typically produced.

The quality of the cocoa butters produced according to this example is good and within commercially acceptable limits.

A ratio of the concentrations of the fruity compounds of the cocoa liquor produced at various timepoints during the process compared to the reference, Arriba is shown in Table 16. The fruity flavor compounds were présent in the cocoa liquor at between about: 3.28-4.26 pg/kg of ethyl-2-methylpropanoate; 9.37-10.82 pg/kg of ethyl-2-methylbutanoate; 12.95-14.55 pg/kg of 15 ethyl-3-methylbutanoate; 220.03-269.58 pg/kg of phenylacetaldehyde; and 1257.21-1938.47 pg/kg of furaneol.

Table 16. Fruity compound analysis, Arriba as reference.

Sample	Arriba	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Time (hr)		Start of Process 15:30 hr	1 hr	2 hrs	3 hrs	4 hrs	5 hrs	6.5 hrs	6.75 hrs
Ethyl-2-methylpropanoate	1	2.43	2.62	2.43	2.04	2.37	2.51	2.65	2.27
Ethyl-2-methylbutanoate	1	2.22	2.36	2.45	2.32	2.31	2.29	2.36	2.12
Ethyl-3-methylbutanoate	1	1.95	2.07	2.10	2.06	1.99	1.96	2.05	1.87
phenylacetaldehyde	1	10.31	11.37	10.87	10.21	9.28	9.37	10.85	9.81
furaneol	1	17.07	21.49	24.73	23.39	26.32	20.09	23.66	22.92

FIG. 13 shows a graph of the ratio of the concentrations of the fruity compounds of Table 16, and a spider graph of the concentrations of Table 16 is shown in FIG. 14.

A ratio of the concentrations of the fruity compounds of the cocoa liquor produced at various 5 timepoints during the process compared to the reference, a natural liquor of 50% Ghana and

50% Ivory Coast beans is shown in Table 17.

Table 17. Fruity compound analysis, natural liquor as reference.

Sample	Natural liquor	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Time (hr)		Start of Process 15:30 hr	1 hr	2 hrs	3 hrs	4 hrs	5 hrs	6.5 hrs	6.75 hrs
Ethyl-2-methylpropanoate	1	27.59	29.77	27.58	23.13	26.96	28.44	30.13	25.73
Ethyl-2-methylbutanoate	1	5.40	6.58	6.35	4.88	7.55	5.68	6.42	5.89
Ethyl-3-methylbutanoate	1	4.69	4.88	5.65	4.43	5.46	4.70	5.37	5.00
phenylacetaldehyde	1	27.59	29.77	27.58	23.13	26.96	28.44	30.13	25.73
furaneol	1	30.77	32.69	33.97	32.07	31.97	31.75	32.69	29.40

FIG. 15 shows a graph of the ratio of the concentrations of the fruity compounds of Table 16, and a spider graph of the concentrations of Table 17 is shown in FIG. 16.

A ratio of the concentrations of the fruity compounds of the cocoa liquor obtained from nibs from the nib cooler produced at various timepoints during the process compared to the reference, Arriba is shown in Table 18. The fruity flavor compounds were présent in the cocoa liquor at between about: 4.63-8.85 pg/kg of ethyl-2-methylpropanoate; 17.02-20.55 pg/kg of ethyl-2-methylbutanoate; 23.15-27.44 pg/kg of ethyl-3-methylbutanoate; 316.53-435.79 pg/kg of phenylacetaldehyde; and 1710.89-2366.37 pg/kg of furaneol.

Table 18. Fruity compound analysis of cocoa nibs from nib cooler, Arriba as reference.

Sample	Arriba	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Time (hr)		Start of Process 15:30 hr	1 hr	2 hrs	3 hrs	4 hrs	5 hrs	6.5 hrs	6.75 hrs
Ethyl-2-methylpropanoate	1	5.50	5.05	4.97	3.79	2.88	5.31	4.37	3.40
Ethyl-2-methylbutanoate	1	4.65	4.22	4.58	4.28	3.85	4.65	3.86	3.91
Ethyl-3-methylbutanoate	1	3.93	3.64	3.93	3.70	3.37	3.96	3.34	3.42
phenylacetaldehyde	1	13.36	13.77	15.35	13.35	15.15	15.90	18.35	15.82
furaneol	1	23.23	26.20	32.13	26.73	26.12	29.80	26.28	27.24

FIG. 17 shows a graph of the ratio of the concentrations of the fruity compounds of Table 18.

Example 14. Production of dark chocolaté with fruity flavored cocoa products.

Dark chocolaté was made with the following ingrédients: 37.18% of a fruity flavored cocoa liquor of the présent invention; 22.46% of cocoa butter; 14% of a fruity flavored cocoa powder of the présent invention; 25.85% of sugar; 0.5% of soy lecithin; and 0.01% of vanillin. The dark chocolaté was about 72% cocoa. The chocolaté was produced using a method conventionaliy known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Dark chocolaté was made with the following ingrédients: 49.75% of a fruity flavored cocoa liquor of the présent invention; 49.74% of sugar; 0.5% of soy lecithin; and 0.01% of natural vanilla. The dark chocolaté was about 48% cocoa. The chocolaté was produced using a method conventionaliy known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Dark chocolaté was made with the following ingrédients: 64.5% of a fruity flavored cocoa liquor of the présent invention; 9% of cocoa butter; 26% of sugar; and 0.5% of sunflower lecithin. The

dark chocolaté was about 71% cocoa. The chocolaté was produced using a method conventîonally known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Dark chocolaté with a raspberry powder was made with the following ingrédients: 37.18% of a fruity flavored cocoa liquor of the présent invention; 22.46% of cocoa butter; 5% of a raspberry powder; 14% of a fruity flavored cocoa powder of the présent invention; 20.85% of sugar; 0.5% of soy lecithin; and 0.01 % of vanillin. The raspberry flavored chocolaté was about 72% cocoa. The chocolaté was produced using a method conventîonally known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Example 14. Production of a filling.

A yoghurt/strawberry filling was made with the following ingrédients: 31.35% of a cocoa butter équivalent (CBE); 7.5% of skimmed milk powder; 3% of whole milk powder; 2% of strawberry flakes; 7.5% of whey powder; 0.6% of lactose; 47.4% of sugar; 0.6% of soy lecithin; and 0.05% of natural vanilla. The filling was produced using a method conventîonally known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Example 15. Production of a candy with a fruity flavored cocoa product.

Pralines were produced using the yoghurt/strawberry filling of Example 14 and a chocolaté of Example 13 as a shell using techniques known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Example 16. Production of a candy with a fruity flavored cocoa product.

A yogurt/cocoa filling was produced using between 3-7% of a fruity flavored cocoa powder of the présent invention. A praline was produced using the yogurt/cocoa filling and a chocolaté of Example 13 as a shell.

Example 17. Production of a cake with a fruity flavored cocoa product.

A cake was produced with the following ingrédients: 250 grams of egg; 170 grams of sugar; 80 grams of flour; 80 grams of cornstarch; and 20 grams of a fruity flavored cocoa powder of the présent invention. The cake was produced using a technique known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Example 18. Production of a cheesecake with a fruity flavored cocoa product.

Cheesecakes were produced with the following ingrédients: 575 grams of curt cheese; 5 grams of egg yolk; 57.5 grams of flour; 76 grams of cornstarch; a sufficient quantity of milk; 5 grams of egg whites; 115 grams of sugar; and 2.5-10% of a fruity flavored cocoa powder of the présent invention. The cheesecakes were produced using techniques known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Example 19. Production of a chocolaté filling.

A chocolaté filling was produced with the following ingrédients: 38.9% of sugar; 5% of sunflower oil; 10% of whey powder; 22.5% of palm oil; 8% of white lactose; 7% of a fruity cocoa liquor of the présent invention; 5% of skimmed milk powder; 3% of a fruity cocoa powder of the présent invention; and 0.6% of soy lecithin. The chocolaté filling was produced using techniques known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

This disclosure has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, compositions and uses thereof. However, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that varïous substitutions, modifications or combinations of any of the exemplary embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, 10 the disclosure is not limited by the description of the exemplary embodiments, but rather by the appended daims as originally filed.

Claims

AMEND CLAIMS IN CC0.0014, RELATIVE TO ARTICLE 34 AMENDMENTS

1. A cocoa product selected from the group consisting of a cocoa powder, a cocoa liquor, and a cocoa butter, the cocoa product having a fruity flavor comprising: an increased amount of a fruity aroma compounds.
2. The cocoa product of claim 1, wherein the fruity aroma compounds are selected from the group consisting of furaneol, phenylacetaldehyde, ethyl-2methylpropanoate, ethyl-2-methylbutanoate, ethyl-2-methylbutanoate, and combinations of any thereof.
3. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product comprises an amount of fruity aroma compounds selected from the group consisting of at least 5 pg/kg of ethyl-2-methylpropanoate, at least 15 pg/kg of ethyl-2methylbutanoate, at least 20 pg/kg of ethyl-3-methylbutanoate, at least 50 pg/kg of phenylacetaldehyde, at least 100 pg/kg of furaneol, and combinations of any thereof.
4. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product comprises an amount of fruity aroma compounds selected from the group consisting of at least 2.5 pg/kg of ethyl-2-methylpropanoate, at least 7.5 pg/kg of ethyl-2methylbutanoate, at least 10 pg/kg of ethyl-3-methylbutanoate, at least 50 pg/kg of phenylacetaldehyde, at least 100 pg/kg of furaneol, and combinations of any thereof.
5. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product is the cocoa powder.
6. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product is the cocoa liquor.
7. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product has a color value selected from the group consisting of an L value of between about 22 to about 29, a C value of about 23 to about 30, an H value of between about 35 to about 55, and combinations of any thereof.
8. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product has a color value selected from the group consisting of an L value of between about 18 to about 29, a C value of about 23 to about 30, an H value of between about 35 to about 55, and combinations of any thereof.
9. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product has a pH of between about 4.5 to about 6.
10. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product has a pH of between about 4.5 to about 5.
11. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product has been roasted.
12. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product originates from un-fermented cocoa beans, under fermented cocoa beans, good fermented cocoa beans, or combinations of any thereof.
13. The cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cocoa product originates from good fermented cocoa beans.
14. The cocoa product of claim 13, wherein the cocoa product has less bitterness as compared to cocoa products originating from un-fermented cocoa beans, under-fermented cocoa beans, or a combination thereof.
15. A food product comprising the cocoa product of claim 1 or claim 2.
16. A method for producing the cocoa product having a fruity flavor of claim 1, the method comprising:

mixing cocoa nibs, de-shelled cocoa beans, or a combination thereof with an acid and water; and roasting the acidified nibs, the acidified, de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof.
17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising washing the acidified cocoa nibs, the acidified de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof with water.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of gluconic delta lactone acid, phosphoric acid, ascorbic acid, sodium bisulphate acid, and combinations of any thereof.
19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the cocoa nibs, the deshelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof are good fermented.
20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the cocoa nibs, the deshelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof are under fermented, un-fermented, or a combination thereof.
21. The method according to claim 16, further comprising sterilizing the cocoa nibs, the de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof.
22. The method according to claim 16, wherein the nibs, the de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof are in contact with the acid and water for a time of between about 0.5 to about 4 hours.
23. The method according to claim 16, wherein the nibs, the de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof are in contact with the acid and the water at a température of between about 15°C and about 90°C.
24. The method according to claim 16, further comprising grinding the roast nibs, , the roast de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof thus producing cocoa liquor.
25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising separating the cocoa liquor into cocoa butter and cocoa presscake.
26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising grinding the cocoa presscake into cocoa powder.
27. The method according to claim 24, further comprising defatting the cocoa liquor.
28. The method according to claim 16, wherein the acidified nibs, the acidified de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof are roasted to a moisture content of less than about 2%.
29. The method according to claim 16, where the roasted, acidified nibs, the roasted, acidified de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof comprise an amount of fruity aroma compounds selected from the group consisting of at Ieast 2.5 pg/kg of ethyl-2-methylpropanoate, at Ieast 7.5 pg/kg of ethyl-2-methylbutanoate, at Ieast 10 pg/kg of ethyl-3-methylbutanoate, at Ieast 50 pg/kg of phenylacetaldehyde, at Ieast 100 pg/kg of furaneol, and combinations of any thereof.
30. The method according to claim 16, wherein the roasted, acidified nibs, the roasted, acidified, de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof hâve a color value selected from the group consisting of an L value of between about 18 to about 29, a C value of about 23 to about 30, an H value of between about 35 to about 55, and combinations of any thereof.
31. The method according to claim 16, wherein the nibs, the de-shelled cocoa beans, or the combination thereof in the acid and wa about 4.5 to about 6.