Cocoa powder for beverages and methods of preparing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of cocoa- or chocolate-based beverages with excellent, rich taste, favorable organoleptic properties and high contents of nutritionally beneficial components, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) adding water to cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; b) wet grinding said suspension; c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70 °C or less; d) 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; e) separating at least cocoa powder from the solid phase, and a step of mixing the thus produced cocoa powder or chocolate products obtained therefrom with a water source to provide the cocoa- or chocolate-based beverage. In addition, related uses and products are disclosed, which include cocoa drinks, chocolate drinks and instant cocoa powder.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.