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US 2002/0176916 A1Published application
Method and arrangement for processing cocoa mass; resulting products
AssigneeCargill, Incorporated
InventorsIan Charles Purtle, Todd Walter Gusek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques for processing cocoa mass are provided. In general, the techniques involve solvent extraction of cocoa fat from cocoa mass, to achieve a desirable cocoa butter and low-fat cocoa powder. In one preferred process, the cocoa mass is the result of grinding cocoa nibs, with absence of a mechanical pressing and heating step, to advantage. Preferred products and uses are characterized.
Claims20
A process of treating cocoa mass;
- said process including steps of:
- (a) extracting cocoa mass with a solvent to provide:
- (i) a liquid solvent phase containing dissolved cocoa fat therein;
- and,
- (ii) a solids phase comprising cocoa powder;
- and,
- (b) separating the solvent phase containing dissolved cocoa fat from the solids phase;
- (c) said step of extracting with a solvent comprising extracting with a solvent comprising, at least 90% by weight, solvent selected from saturated hydrocarbons having a molecular weight of no greater than about 75.
5 more elements
A process of recovering cocoa powder having a fat content of less than 2%, by weight, from cocoa mass without a step of pressing;
- said process including steps of:
- (a) extracting cocoa mass having a fat content of at least 45%, by weight, with a solvent to provide:
- (i) a liquid solvent phase containing dissolved cocoa fat therein;
- and,
- (ii) a solids phase comprising cocoa powder;
- (iii) said step of extracting with a solvent comprising extracting with a solvent comprising, at least 90% by weight, solvent selected from saturated hydrocarbons having a molecular weight of no greater than about 75;
- (b) separating the solvent phase containing dissolved cocoa fat from the solids phase;
- and,
- (c) reducing a residual solvent presence, if any, in the separated solids phase to no greater than 5 ppm.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.