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US 6,610,343 B2Granted
Method for processing cocoa mass
AssigneeCargill, Incorporated
InventorsIan Charles Purtle, Todd Walter Gusek, Frans Bodenheim, Bassam F. Jirjis
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.
Claims26
A continuous process of treating cocoa mass;
- said process comprising:
- (a) mixing said cocoa mass with a solvent to provide a slurry, said mixing being conducted under a pressure of greater than atmospheric pressure;
- (b) separating the slurry into a fat-containing stream and a solids stream:
- (i) said separating comprising a operation of washing the solids with a solvent;
- wherein said washing operation is conducted sufficiently to reduce a level of cocoa fat remaining in the solids to no greater than 2 wt. %;
- wherein at least about 90 wt. % of the solvent comprises saturated hydrocarbon with a molecular weight of no more than 75.
3 more elements
A continuous process for treating cocoa mass comprising:
- (a) mixing cocoa mass with a solvent to provide a slurry, wherein the cocoa mass comprises cocoa solids and at least 10 wt. % cocoa fat;
- the solvent comprises at least 90 wt. % saturated hydrocarbons having a molecular weight of no greater than 75;
- and the slurry comprises:
- (i) a liquid solvent phase comprising cocoa fat dissolved therein;
- and
- (ii) a cocoa solids phase;
- (b) transferring the slurry to a separator system;
- and
- (c) separating the slurry to provide
- (i) a liquid solvent stream comprising cocoa fat dissolved therein;
- and
- (ii) a solids phase comprising cocoa solids.
9 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 comprising dissolved cocoa fat and a solids phase comprising cocoa solids,
- wherein the separating step comprises washing the solids phase with a solvent.
6 more elements
A continuous process of treating cocoa mass, said process including the steps of:
- (a) providing a cocoa mass containing:
- (I) at least 45 wt. % fat content;
- and
- (ii) cocoa solids;
- (b) mixing the cocoa mass with a solvent to form a slurry, wherein the solvent comprises at least 90 wt. % saturated hydrocarbon having a molecular weight no greater than 75;
- and the mixing step is conducted under a pressure of greater than atmospheric;
- (c) separating the slurry into a fat containing stream end a solids stream by directing the slurry onto a filter of a pressurized filter system and drawing liquid solvent with cocoa fat dissolved therein through the filter while leaving cocoa solids deposited on the filter;
- the separating step including washing the cocoa solids deposited on the filter with solvent to provide washed cocoa solids:
- wherein the washed cocoa solids have a fat content of no greater than 2 wt. %.
6 more elements
A continuous process of treating cocoa mass comprising:
- (a) providing a cocoa mass comprising:
- (i) at least 45 wt. % cocoa fat;
- and
- (ii) cocoa solids;
- (b) mixing the cocoa mass with a solvent under a pressure of greater than atmospheric at a temperature of no more than 90° C. to form a slurry, wherein the solvent comprises at least 90 wt. % butane;
- and
- (c) separating the slurry to provide (i) a liquid solvent stream comprising cocoa fat dissolved therein and (ii) a solids stream comprising cocoa solids by directing the slurry onto a filter of a belt filter system and drawing the liquid solvent stream through the filter while leaving cocoa solids deposited on the filter;
- the separating step including washing the cocoa solids deposited on the filter with solvent to provide washed cocoa solids.
5 more elements
A continuous process of treating cocoa mass comprising:
- (a) providing a cocoa mass comprising:
- (i) at least 10 wt. % cocoa fat;
- and
- (ii) cocoa solids;
- (b) mixing the cocoa mass with a solvent to form a slurry, wherein the solvent comprises at least 90 wt. % 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 comprising dissolved cocoa fat and a solids phase comprising cocoa solids.
5 more elements
A continuous process of treating cocoa mass comprising:
- (a) providing a cocoa mass containing:
- (i) at least 45 wt. % cocoa fat;
- and
- (ii) cocoa powder;
- (b) mixing the cocoa mass with a solvent to form a slurry, wherein the solvent comprises saturated hydrocarbon with a molecular weight of no more than 75;
- (c) transferring the slurry to a separator system;
- and
- (d) separating the slurry to provide a solvent phase comprising dissolved cocoa fat and a solids phase comprising cocoa solids.
5 more elements
A continuous process for treating cocoa mass comprising:
- (a) mixing cocoa mass, which includes at least about 45 wt. % cocoa fat, with a solvent to provide a slurry;
- wherein the solvent includes at least 90 wt. % saturated hydrocarbon having a molecular weight no greater than 75;
- and the mixing is carried out under conditions such that the solvent is substantially in the liquid phase;
- and
- (b) directing the slurry onto a belt filter of a belt filter system to provide a cocoa fat-enriched solvent stream and a cocoa solids-enriched stream deposited on the belt filter;
- wherein the belt filter system is under sufficient pressure to maintain the hydrocarbon solvents substantially in a liquid phase.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.