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US 6,361,814 B1Granted
Method and arrangement for processing cocoa mass; resulting products
AssigneeCargill, Incorporated
InventorsIan Charles Purtle, Todd Walter Gusek, Frans Bodenheim, Bassam F. Jirjis
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims34
A continuous process of treating cocoa mass;
- said process including steps of:
- (a) providing a cocoa mass;
- (b) mixing the cocoa mass with a solvent to provide a slurry, wherein said solvent comprises at least 90% by weight saturated hydrocarbon having a molecular weight of no greater than about 75, said slurry comprising:
- (i) a liquid solvent phase containing dissolved cocoa fat therein;
- and,
- (ii) a solids phase comprising cocoa powder;
- (c) transferring the slurry to a separator system;
- (d) separating the solvent phase containing dissolved cocoa fat from the solids phase;
- (e) directing the solids phase into a solids phase evaporator to separate the solids phase into a reduced-fat cocoa product and a first gaseous solvent;
- and
- (f) directing the solvent phase into a solvent phase evaporator to separate the solvent phase into a cocoa butter product and a second gaseous solvent.
8 more elements
A continuous process of treating cocoa mass;
- the process including steps of:
- (a) providing a cocoa mass containing:
- (i) 10% or greater cocoa fat, by weight;
- and,
- (ii) cocoa powder;
- (b) mixing the cocoa mass with a solvent to form a slurry, the solvent comprising saturated hydrocarbon with a molecular weight of no more than 75;
- (c) transferring the slurry to a separator system;
- and
- (d) separating the slurry into a solvent phase containing dissolved cocoa fat and a solids phase comprising defatted cocoa solids.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.