The invention relates to a continuous process for producing a dark cocoa powder, comprising: mixing a cocoa product with water in an amount of up to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the mixture; heating the cocoa product and the water to a temperature of 90-160° C. until a moisture content of 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the mixture, or less is achieved; and recovering a cocoa powder; wherein the cocoa powder recovered in step (d) has an L value which is lower than that of the cocoa product of step (a). The invention further relates to cocoa powders produced by this method and to their use in food or beverage compositions.

The invention provides a chocolate having strong aroma characteristics. The aroma characteristics may include at least one of a fruity aroma and a floral aroma, and isoamyl acetate may be contained as an aroma component. The invention also provides a novel method for producing a chocolate having strong aroma characteristics. The method includes a step of crushing at least a cacao raw material and a sugar raw material in a sealed crusher.

A flavor composition containing at least one, two, or more potassium salt(s) that can be used to enhance an alkalized cocoa flavor profile of edible compositions including sweet goods, such as fat-based confections comprising chocolate or chocolate liquor.

A machine for making and dispensing chocolate, comprising: at least one chocolate processing container; a chocolate dispenser tap connected to the processing container for allowing chocolate dispensing; at least a first mixer associated with the container for mixing the chocolate being processed; thermal treatment means associated with said at least one processing container and designed to heat and/or cool the walls of said processing container; an operating and control unit, designed to control said thermal treatment means so as to bring, in sequence in terms of time, the chocolate being processed in said at least one container; to a first, chocolate melting temperature; to a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature; to a third temperature, which is between the second temperature and the first temperature.

The current invention relates to a free-flowing cacao pulp powder obtainable from cacao pulp material, wherein said cacao pulp material is fresh cacao pulp, cacao pulp juice, cacao pulp concentrate or any mixture thereof, characterized by a moisture content less than 8 wt %, preferably less than 5 wt %, most preferably less than 3 wt %. The invention relates to a cacao pulp juice, obtainable from fresh cacao pulp substantially devoid from cacao pod husks and cacao beans, characterized by a Brix value of 10-35. The invention relates to a method for producing cacao pulp juice, from fresh cacao pulp substantially devoid from cacao pod husks and cacao beans. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for obtaining a free-flowing cacao pulp derived powder from cacao pulp material.

The current invention relates to a free-flowing cacao pulp powder obtainable from cacao pulp material, wherein said cacao pulp material is fresh cacao pulp, cacao pulp juice, cacao pulp concentrate or any mixture thereof, characterized by a moisture content less than 8 wt %, preferably less than 5 wt %, most preferably less than 3 wt %. The invention relates to a cacao pulp juice, obtainable from fresh cacao pulp substantially devoid from cacao pod husks and cacao beans, characterized by a Brix value of 10-35. The invention relates to a method for producing cacao pulp juice, from fresh cacao pulp substantially devoid from cacao pod husks and cacao beans. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for obtaining a free-flowing cacao pulp derived powder from cacao pulp material.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a chocolate dough in a melted liquid state, wherein a polyglycerin-condensed ricinoleic acid ester and a phospholipid, which are contained in the chocolate dough, have at least an intermediate state in which the mass ratio of the content of the polyglycerin-condensed ricinoleic acid ester to the content of the phospholipid is 100:0 to 70:30. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a chocolate dough in a melted liquid state, wherein a polyglycerin-condensed ricinoleic acid ester and a phospholipid are contained in the chocolate dough such that the mass ratio of the content of the polyglycerin-condensed ricinoleic acid ester to the content of the phospholipid is 70:30 to 25:75.

The present invention provides a chocolate-like product and a method for preparing the same. The chocolate-like product has a unique flavor and includes a cocoa butter; a sweetener; an ingredient made from fruit-fermented wine lees; and an ingredient made from soybeans.

The invention provides cocoa pod husk powder having a concentration of insoluble dietary fibre of at least 55 wt. % of the total weight of the cocoa pod husk and/or having a concentration of total fibre of at least 68 wt. % of the total weight of the cocoa pod husk, and wherein the total ash content of the powder is no more than 6.0 wt. %. The invention further provides methods of making cocoa pod husk powders of the invention comprising the steps of: reducing cocoa pod husk in a wet-milling process to a paste; and drying the paste at a temperature of at least 80° C., or at least 85° C.

The present invention related to a method of producing an alkalized cocoa material, comprising the steps of: (a) mixing a cocoa material with water and an alkalizing agent; and (b) reacting the mixture of step (a) at a pressure of up to 12 bar and a temperature of 85 to 180° C., for 10 to 500 min; wherein step (b) is performed and under continuous air flow.