The method for processing fermented or incubated cocoa beans comprises the steps of: adding water to fermented or incubated cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; wet grinding said suspension; subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70 C. or less; 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 separately processing the three phases, which comprises: neutralizing and/or removing acetic acid formed during fermentation or formed or added prior to or during an incubation of the cocoa beans via the water phase, and optionally 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.

The method for processing fermented or incubated cocoa beans comprises the steps of: adding water to fermented or incubated cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; wet grinding said suspension; subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70 C. or less; 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 separately processing the three phases, which comprises: neutralizing and/or removing acetic acid formed during fermentation or formed or added prior to or during an incubation of the cocoa beans via the water phase, and optionally 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.

Systems and methods for processing food products. One aspect is a system for processing food products including a base member, a vessel member defining a vessel volume, an opening formed through the vessel member, a vessel lip surrounding the opening; a vessel lid connected to the vessel member to substantially seal the opening; a motor shaft, at least one mixing member connected to the motor shaft and within the vessel volume; a motor connected to the motor shaft; and grinding media within the vessel volume for grinding and mixing food products, where energizing the motor urges the motor shaft and the at least one mixing member to rotate within the vessel volume to agitate the grinding media; and where the grinding media includes first grinding media and second grinding media.

Systems and methods for processing food products. One aspect is a system for processing food products including a base member, a vessel member defining a vessel volume, an opening formed through the vessel member, a vessel lip surrounding the opening; a vessel lid connected to the vessel member to substantially seal the opening; a motor shaft, at least one mixing member connected to the motor shaft and within the vessel volume; a motor connected to the motor shaft; and grinding media within the vessel volume for grinding and mixing food products, where energizing the motor urges the motor shaft and the at least one mixing member to rotate within the vessel volume to agitate the grinding media; and where the grinding media includes first grinding media and second grinding media.

A method and processing technology for preparing baked products from raw materials is disclosed. The method includes at least one baking or roasting step in which the raw materials are processed in the absence of atmospheric air, achieved through a vacuum, vacuum-compensated, or pressurethe latter two employing an inert atmosphere. A sealed rotary roasting drum (or processing compartment) is supplied with pre-heated inert gas while heating and rotating the raw materials, and the inert gas is optionally recycled for reuse. Additional unit operations such as milling, cooling, spraying, extraction, and storage are also performed in the absence of atmospheric air, to preserve product quality and prevent oxidation. Optional steps include cryogenic pre-milling, sweetener addition to generating a torrefacto effect, and supercritical fluid extraction of oils for later incorporation into the baked products. The disclosed technology enables continuous production of baked products with improved aroma, stability, and self-life, by maintaining an oxygen-free environment throughout processing.

A method and processing technology for preparing baked products from raw materials is disclosed. The method includes at least one baking or roasting step in which the raw materials are processed in the absence of atmospheric air, achieved through a vacuum, vacuum-compensated, or pressurethe latter two employing an inert atmosphere. A sealed rotary roasting drum (or processing compartment) is supplied with pre-heated inert gas while heating and rotating the raw materials, and the inert gas is optionally recycled for reuse. Additional unit operations such as milling, cooling, spraying, extraction, and storage are also performed in the absence of atmospheric air, to preserve product quality and prevent oxidation. Optional steps include cryogenic pre-milling, sweetener addition to generating a torrefacto effect, and supercritical fluid extraction of oils for later incorporation into the baked products. The disclosed technology enables continuous production of baked products with improved aroma, stability, and self-life, by maintaining an oxygen-free environment throughout processing.