CHOCOLATE PROCESSING

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Case Study
CHOCOLATE PROCESSING
*Farah Shafi, Monica Reshi, Aiman and Iqra Bashir
Assistant Professor, Division of Food Science and Technology, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural sciences and Technology,
Kashmir
*Corresponding author e mail: monikareshi@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Chocolate is a product processed from cocoa, rich in flavonoids and antioxidant compounds. It grows best in tropical
rainforests. Chocolate processing consists of a multistep process which, starting from cocoa beans, involves fermentation,
drying, roasting, nib grinding and refining, conching and tempering (Owen, 2013). During cocoa processing, the naturally
occurring antioxidants (flavonoids) are lost, while others such as Maillard reaction products are formed. Primary chocolate
categories are dark, milk and white chocolate, which differ in their contents of cocoa solid, milk fat and cocoa butter.
Chocolate has become one of the most popular food types and flavours in the world. Chocolate is very sensitive to
temperature and humidity (Mattia and Sager, 2014). Quality chocolate is characterized by glossy shine, snap, aroma,
texture and taste. Chocolate processing is complex and requires several technological operations and processes to achieve
the desired product quality. Chocolate is lower in caffeine than tea and coffee. Chocolate contains antioxidants which may
help prevent cancer and heart disease (Afoakwa, 2009).
KEYWORDS: Cocoa, flavonoids, fermentation, antioxidants, processing.
INTRODUCTION
The use of cocoa beans dates back at least 1400 years
(R¨ossner, 1997), when Aztecs and Incas used the beans as
currency for trading or to produce the so-called chocolatl,
a drink made by roasting and grinding cocoa nibs,
mashing with water, often adding other Ingredients such as
vanilla, spices or honey. In the 1520s, the drink was
introduced into Spain (Minifie, 1989) although Coe and
Coe (1996) emphasized that the European arrivals in the
new world, including Christopher Columbus and Herman
Cortes, were unimpressed with the Mayan beverage,
sweetening it with honey. Nevertheless, the conquistadors
familiarised the chocolate beverage throughout Europe,
and being expensive, it was initially reserved for
consumption by the highest social classes, and only in the
seventeenth Century that the consumption of chocolate
spread through Europe. As the consumption of chocolate
became more and more widespread during the eighteenth
Century, the Spanish monopoly on the production of cocoa
soon became untenable and Plantations were soon
established by the Italians, Dutch and Portuguese. At this
point, Chocolate was still consumed in liquid form and
was mainly sold as pressed blocks of a grainy mass to be
dissolved in water or milk to form a foamy chocolate
drink. The mass Production of these chocolate blocks also
began in the eighteenth century when the British Fry
family founded the first chocolate factory in 1728, using
hydraulic equipment to grind the cocoa beans.
Chocolate is a typically sweet, usually brown food
preparation of the obroma cacao seeds, roasted and
ground. It is made in the form of a liquid, paste, or in a
block, or used as a flavouring ingredient in other foods.
Cacao has been cultivated by many cultures for at least
three millennia in Mesoamerica. The earliest evidence of
use traces to the Mokaya (Mexico and Guatemala), with
evidence of chocolate beverages dating back to 1900
BCE. In fact, the majority of Mesoamerican people made
chocolate beverages, including the Maya and Aztecs, who
made it into a beverage known as xocolātl a Nahuatl
meaning "bitter water". The seeds of the cacao tree have
an intense bitter taste and must be fermented to develop
the flavour.
After fermentation, the beans are dried, cleaned, and
roasted. The shell is removed to produce cacao nibs, which
are then ground to cocoa mass, unadulterated chocolate in
rough form. Once the cocoa mass is liquefied by heating,
it is called chocolate liquor. The liquor also may be cooled
and processed into its two components: cocoa solids
and cocoa butter. Baking chocolate, also called bitter
chocolate, contains cocoa solids and cocoa butter in
varying proportions, without any added sugars. Much of
the chocolate consumed today is in the form of sweet
chocolate, a combination of cocoa solids, cocoa butter or
added vegetable oils, and sugar. Milk chocolate is sweet
chocolate that additionally contains milk powder or
condensed milk. White chocolate contains cocoa butter,
sugar, and milk, but no cocoa solids. Chocolate has
become one of the most popular food types and flavours in
the world, Many candies are filled with or coated with
sweetened chocolate, and bars of solid chocolate
and candy bars coated in chocolate are eaten as snacks
Although cocoa originated in the Americas, recent years
have seen African nations assuming a leading role in
producing cocoa. Since the 2000s, Western Africa

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produces almost two-thirds of the world's cocoa,
with Ivory Coast growing almost half of that amount.
TYPES OF CHOCOLATE
Chocolate is a range of foods derived from cocoa (cacao),
mixed with fat (e.g., cocoa butter) and finely powdered
sugar to produce a solid confectionery. There are
several types of chocolate,classified according to the
proportion of cocoa used in a particular formulation.
The use of particular name designations is sometimes
subject to international governmental regulation. Some
governments assign chocolate solids and ranges of
chocolate differently.
Different forms and flavours of chocolate are produced by
varying the quantities of the different ingredients. Other
flavours can be obtained by varying time and temperature
when roasting the beans.
Milk chocolate is solid chocolate made with milk, in the
form of milk powder, liquid milk, or condensed milk,
added. In 1875, Swiss confectioner Daniel Peter, in
cooperation with his neighbour Henri Nestlé in Vevey,
developed the first solid milk chocolate using condensed
milk. The bar was named "Gala Peter", combining the
Greek word for "milk" and his name. A German
company Jordan & Timaeus in Dresden, Saxony had
already invented milk chocolate in 1839 hitherto it had
only been available as a drink. The US Government
requires a 10% concentration of chocolate liquor.
EU regulations specify a minimum of 25% cocoa solids.
However, an agreement was reached in 2000 that allowed
what by exception from these regulations is called "milk
chocolate" in the UK, Ireland, and Malta, containing only
20% cocoa solids, to be traded as "family milk chocolate"
elsewhere in the European Union.
Cadbury chocolate is the brand leader in the United
Kingdom. First produced by George Cadbury Junior in
1905, Cadbury Dairy Milk was made with a higher
proportion of milk than previous chocolate bars, and it
became the company's best selling product by 1914. It is
the best selling milk chocolate bar in the UK, followed
by Galaxy.
"Hershey process" milk chocolate is popular in the US.
The process was invented by Milton S. Hershey,
founder of The Hershey Company. The process uses
fresh milk from local farms. The logistics of purchasing
and delivering fresh milk is difficult as, according to
state regulations fresh milk cannot be held for more than
72hours after its reception. If not immediately processed
into milk chocolate, the milk must be disposed of the
actual Hershey process is a trade secret, but experts
speculate that the milk is partially lipolyzed,
producing butyric acid, and then the milk is pasteurized
and stabilized. This process gives the product a
particular taste, to which the US public has shown to
have an affinity, to the extent that some rival
manufacturers now add butyric acid to their milk
chocolates.
Dark chocolate, also known as "plain chocolate" or
"black chocolate", is produced using higher percentages of
cocoa, traditionally with cocoa butter instead of milk, but
there are also dark milk chocolates and many degrees of
hybrids. Dark chocolate can be eaten as is, or used in
cooking, for which thicker, baking bars, usually with high
cocoa percentages ranging from 70% to 99% are sold.
Dark is synonymous with semisweet, and extra dark with
bittersweet, although the ratio of cocoa butter to solids
may vary.
White chocolate is made of sugar, milk, and cocoa butter,
without the cocoa solids.
A 200 gram bar of dark baking chocolate, with a
minimum cocoa content of 40% Swiss dark chocolate
"Cocoa powder" is used for baking, and for drinking
with added milk and sugar. There are two types of
unsweetened cocoa powder: natural cocoa (like the sort
produced by the Broma process), and Dutch-process
cocoa. Both are made by pulverizing partially defatted
chocolate liquor and removing nearly all the cocoa
butter; Dutch-process cocoa is additionally processed
with alkali to neutralize its natural acidity. Natural
cocoa is light in colour and somewhat acidic with a
strong chocolate flavour. Natural cocoa is commonly
used in recipes that also use baking soda; as baking
soda is an alkali, combining it with natural cocoa
creates a leavening action that allows the batter to rise
during baking. Dutch cocoa is slightly milder in taste,
with a deeper and warmer colour than natural cocoa.
Dutch-process cocoa is frequently used for chocolate
drinks such as hot chocolate due to its ease in blending
with liquids. However, Dutch processing destroys most
of the flavonoids present in cocoa. In 2005 Hershey
discontinued their pure Dutch-process European Style
cocoa and replaced it with Special Dark, a blend of
natural and Dutch-process cocoa.
Organic chocolate is chocolate which has been a
certified organic ingredient.
"Raw chocolate" is chocolate that has not been
processed, heated, or mixed with other ingredients. It is
sold in chocolate-growing countries, and to a much
lesser extent in other countries, often promoted as
healthy.
Unsweetened chocolate, also known as bitter, baking
chocolate, or cooking chocolate, is pure chocolate
liquor mixed with some form of fat to produce a solid
substance. The pure, ground, roasted cocoa beans
impart a strong, deep chocolate flavor. With the
addition of sugar, however, it is used as the base
for cakes, brownies, confections, and cookies.
"Bittersweet chocolate" is chocolate liquor (or
unsweetened chocolate) to which some sugar (less than
a third), more cocoa butter, vanilla flavouring, and
sometimes lecithin have been added. It typically has
less sugar and more liquor than semisweet
chocolate, but the two are interchangeable when
baking. Bittersweet and semisweet chocolates are
sometimes referred to as "couverture". Many brands
now print on the package the percentage of cocoa in
the chocolate (as chocolate liquor and added cocoa
butter). The higher the percentage of cocoa, the less
sweet the chocolate is.
"Semisweet chocolate" is frequently used for cooking
purposes. It is a dark chocolate with (by definition in
Swiss usage) half as much sugar as cocoa, beyond
which it is "sweet chocolate". Semisweet chocolate
does not contain milk solids.

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"Couverture" is a term used for chocolates rich in
cocoa butter. Popular brands of couverture used by
professional pastry chefs and often sold in gourmet and
specialty food stores include: Valrhona, Felchlin, Lindt
& Sprüngli, Scharffen Berger, Cacao Barry, Callebaut,
Chocolate, Chocó fig fuel chocolates, and Guittard.
These chocolates contain a high percentage of cocoa
"Compound chocolate" is the technical term for a
confection combining cocoa with vegetable fat,
usually tropical fats and/or hydrogenated fats, as a
replacement for cocoa butter. It is often used for candy
bar coatings. In many countries it may not legally be
called "chocolate".
"Modeling chocolate" is a chocolate paste made by
melting chocolate and combining it with corn
syrup, glucose syrup, or golden syrup. It is primarily
used by upscale cake makers and patisseries to add
decoration to cakes and pastries.
Flavours such as mint, vanilla, coffee, orange, or straw
berry are sometimes added to chocolate in a creamy form
or in very small pieces. Chocolate bars frequently contain
added ingredients such as peanuts, nuts, fruit, caramel,
and crisped rice. Pieces of chocolate, in various flavours,
are sometimes added to cereals and ice cream.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the naming and ingredients of cocoa products:
Product
Chocolate Liquor
Milk Solids
Sugar
Cocoa Fat
Milk Fat
Milk Chocolate
≥ 10%
≥ 12%
Sweet Chocolate
≥ 15%
< 12%
Semisweet or Bittersweet (Dark) Chocolate
≥ 35%
< 12%
White Chocolate
≥ 14%
≤ 55%
≥ 20%
≥ 3.5%
Chocolate facts
1. There is a correlation between the amount of chocolate
a country consumes on average and the number
of Nobel Laureates that country has produced.
2. A jewel thief made off with $28 million dollars of
gems in 2007 because he was able to gain the trust of
the guards working the bank in Antwerp, Belgium, by
repeatedly offering them chocolate.
3. The blood in Psycho's famous shower scene was
actually chocolate syrup.
4. At one point the Nazis plotted to assassinate Winston
Churchill with an exploding bar of chocolate.
5. The scientific name for the tree that chocolate comes
from, Theobroma cacao, means "food of the gods."
6. It takes a almost a full year for a cocoa tree to produce
enough pods to make 10 standard-sized Hershey bars.
7. Chocolate has over 600 flavour compounds, while red
wine has just 200.
8. Theo bromine, the compound in chocolate that makes
it poisonous to dogs, can humans well. You'd have to
be a real glutton to go out this way though, as an
average 10-year-old child would have to eat 1,900
Hershey's miniature milk chocolates to reach a fatal
dose.
9. The ancient Maya are believed to be the first people to
regularly grow cacao trees and drink chocolate. The
Aztecs got it later, but they had to trade for cacao
because they couldn't grow the trees.
10.The word "chocolate" comes from the Aztec word
"xocoatl," which referred to the bitter, spicy drink the
Aztecs made from cacao beans.
CHOCOLATE MYTHS AND TRUTHS
Chocolate raises bad cholesterol
If you’ve given up chocolate in the name of lowering LDL
(bad) cholesterol, you may have been unwittingly
sacrificing the sweet treat for nothing. Quelle tragique!
While it’s true that chocolate contains cocoa butter, which
is high in saturated fat, much of the fat comes from stearic
acid, which doesn’t act like saturated fat. Studies have
shown that chocolate does not raise bad cholesterol, and in
fact for some people, chocolate can lower cholesterol
levels.
Chocolate is high in caffeine
Contrary to popular belief, chocolate is not loaded with the
jitter-inducing compound known as caffeine. A Hershey’s
chocolate bar contains 9 milligrams of caffeine and a
Hershey’s Special Dark bar contains 31 milligrams, as
compared to the 320 milligrams found in a Starbuck’s
grande brewed coffee. Darker varieties are higher in
caffeine, it’s true, but not as high as many people think.
The sugar in chocolate causes hyperactivity
Excessive sugars cause’s kids to jump off the walls,
bounce off the ceiling, and generally mimic a rogue
helicopter, right? So we thought. But more than a dozen
good-quality studies have failed to find any link between
sugar in children's diets and hyperactive behavior. Two
theories: It’s the environment that creates the excitability
(birthday parties, holidays, etc) and/or that the connection
is simply in the minds of the parents expecting hyper
behavior following sugar-fuelled revelries.
People with diabetes have to give up chocolate
Chocolate does not need to be completely avoided by
people with diabetes. In fact, many are often surprised to
learn that chocolate has a low glycemic index.
Recent studies suggest that dark chocolate may actually
improve insulin sensitivity in people with normal and high
blood pressure and improve endothelial dysfunction in
people with diabetes. Of course, always check with your
doctor before ripping open the Ritter wrapper.
Chocolate causes tooth decay and cavities
A study investigating the development of plaque from
chocolate found that chocolate has less of an effect on
dental plaque than pure table sugar. Of course, most of us
aren’t snacking on straight sugar, but another study backed
it up when it showed no association between eating
chocolate and getting cavities. In fact, a study from Osaka
University in Japan found that parts of the cocoa bean, the
main ingredient of chocolate, thwart mouth bacteria and
tooth decay. Fighting cavities never tasted so good.
While stuffing yourself with a box of chocolates won't do
you any favours in the weight department, eating a small

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amount of chocolate five times a week has been linked to a
lower BMI.
Chocolate makes you gain weight
Of course it does. Well, not necessarily. Obviously,
monumental hot fudge sundaes aren’t going to do your
waistline any favours, but a large study funded by the
National Institutes of Health found this: Consuming a
small amount of chocolate each of five days during a week
was linked to a lower BMI, even if the person ate more
calories overall and didn't exercise more than other
participants. Hello, chocolate diet.
Eating sugar and chocolate can add to stress
A study found that eating about an ounce and a half of
dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of
stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly
stressed.
Chocolate lacks nutritional value
If you’ve seen any of the deluge of scientific studies
touting the health benefits of chocolate, you know this is
not true. But just how nutritious is chocolate? It has bona
fide super food status. A typical dark chocolate bar
contains as much antioxidant capacity as 2 3/4 cups of
green tea, 1 glass of red wine, or 2/3 cup of blueberries. In
addition, chocolate also contains minerals and dietary
fiber.
Chocolate must contain at least 70 percent cacao to be
good for you
The general recommendation is to consume dark chocolate
with a minimum of 70 percent cacao to reap the health
benefits; in general, the darker the chocolate, the higher
the antioxidant content. However, in one 18-week study,
participants who ate a small amount of 50 percent cacao
chocolate experienced a significant reduction in systolic
and diastolic blood pressure. As well, another study
showed short-term improvements in blood flow and blood
pressure after consumption of a 60 percent cacao dark
chocolate.
Chocolate causes acne
Although any teen will tell you that chocolate cause’s
acne, studies going as far back as the 1960s have failed to
show any relationship between chocolate consumption and
acne. An extensive review in the Journal of the American
Medical Association concluded that “diet plays no role in
acne treatment in most patients even large amounts of
chocolate have not clinically exacerbated acne.”
The moral of the story is: Eat chocolate! Alas, eat it in
moderation. An average 3-ounce bar of milk chocolate has
420 calories and 26 grams of fat, almost as much as a Big
Mac —and that's a fact.
COCOA PROCESSING AND TECHNOLOGY
Bean selection and quality criteria
Chocolate manufacturers must follow a set of guidelines
and quality criteria if they are to
produce products that maintain the consumers’ loyalty to
their products. Before processing,
the quality of beans is evaluated using two different
methods. With the first technique, the
beans are assessed for the following indicators:
1. Degree of fermentation
2. Moisture content (maximum 6%)
3. Number of defects
4. Number of broken beans
5. Bean count (number per 100 g)
6. Degree of mouldiness
7. Flavour profile
8. Colour
9. Fat content (minimum 52%)
10. Fat quality relating to percentage of free fatty acids (as
oleic acid)
11. Shell content (10–12%)
12. Uniformity of bean size
13. Insect and rodent in the second technique is evaluated
based on the size of the beans using either bean count
(Number of beans per 100 g) or the weight in grams of
100 beans. On the international cocoa Market, different
bean sizes attract different prices. Beans with smaller sizes
usually contain proportionately lower amount of nibs,
higher shell content, lower fat content and attract lesser
prices. Typically, beans from Asian origin have higher
shell content than beans from West Africa. The bean cut
test is used to assess defects and the degree of
fermentation. In this process, a sample of 300 beans are
randomly selected and split open longitudinally. The cut
surfaces are then examined and assessed based on the
following criteria:
1. Flat and shrunken beans
2. Mouldy beans
3. Slaty beans
4. Germinated beans
5. Degree of insect and rodent infestation
All these factors affect the flavour and taste of the finished
products, for which the beans would be used. Good cocoa
beans should be well fermented, dry and free from insect
and rodent infestation, abnormal odours and
contaminations/ adulterations. Another key criterion is the
flavour quality. In this regard, considerations must be
given to the desired quality of the finished chocolate
and/or products upon which or in which the chocolate
would be used. For instance, harsh cocoa and bitter notes
are required to contrast a very sweet or heavily flavoured
centre, using delicately flavoured beans such as Java bea.
It is important to note that just because a bean comes from
a flavour grade stock does not mean it will automatically
improve a product’s profile. The overall impact a
Particular stock has on its inclusion upon the blend has to
be carefully assessed. Also noteworthy is the fact that
while beans are characteristically typed, flavour quality
may vary from year to year, crop to crop, etc., and
therefore requires a continuous assessment of availability
of the beans before using them in recipe formulations The
following are five examples of the varied selection of bean
blends in assorted products types and explanations of the
reasoning involved in their selections. For the industrial
production of:
1. Milk chocolate: The use of predominantly medium
roast West African beans with Ecuadorian bean is
advised. This blend would deliver a good clean cocoa
note with nutty and slightly fruity undertones. It is
important to note that the addition of the highly acidic
Brazilian and Malaysian beans would negatively
contrast with the milky notes desired.
2. Light milk chocolate: This product could be made from
lightly roasted Java beans that are known for their light
colour and very mild overall flavour with distinctive
nutty overtones. This would help attain a good standard

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of identity for milk chocolate, as the coating would be
several shades lighter than a 100% West African bean.
It could be best used to complement very delicately
flavoured centres.
3. High-quality semisweet chocolate: The use of
predominantly West African stock is advised for its
cocoa character and slightly nutty undertones (light to
medium roast) to heighten desirable notes and limit
burnt/bitter notes. This blend when complemented by
Caracas and Trinidad beans would contribute floral and
slightly spicy notes to create balanced yet unique
profile.
4. Harsh bittersweet chocolate: This product is mainly
designed for use on very sweet and highly flavoured
cream centres as it produces very harsh and bitter
coatings. If eaten alone, this coating may be harsh
enough to be objectionable to many consumers.
However, in a finished piece as described, it
complements and balances the product’s flavour.
Delicate flavour grades would be wasted in such a
product as they would be overridden fully by the
bitterness, astringency and acidity of the blend.
5. Semisweet cookie drop: The use the dominant West
African beans is advised in this Product to provide a
good cocoa impact. The strong profiles of the Brazilian
and Sanchez Components complement and contrast the
West African component. In this application, a robust
flavour is desirable for contrast in the baked cookies.
Cleaning, breaking and winnowing
Before processing, cocoa beans are passed through the
processes of cleaning, breaking and winnowing to obtain
nibs of consistent quality. These processes also ensure that
the nibs are cleaned (free from dirt and infestation), well
broken and properly de shelled. The kernels (nibs)
obtained after the process must be of uniform size to
achieve constant quality. The process involves, first,
sieving the beans and removing all extraneous materials
such as stones, strings, coins, wood pieces, soil particles
and nails. The cleaned beans are then broken to loosen the
shells from the nibs using multiple steps to avoid an
excess of fine particles. The products obtained are then
sieved into smaller number of fractions to obtain Optimal
separation during subsequent winnowing. The fractions
are then transported to the Winnowing cabinet where the
lighter broken shells are removed by a stream of air. The
Breaking and winnowing steps are vital in separating the
essential components of the bean, the nibs from the shells,
and the shells are then discarded and sold for use as
agricultural Mulch or as fertilisers. Strong magnets are
then used to remove magnetic foreign materials from the
nibs, which are then stored, awaiting further processing.
Sterilisation
Sterilisation is the technique of exposing the cocoa beans
or nibs to sufficiently higher temperatures for a
sufficiently long times to destroy all micro-organisms in
the beans. Depending on the factory and equipment used,
this process can either be done before or after the roasting
process. The treatment can be done in a batch or
continuous process by wetting or heating with steam, all
micro-organisms that might have contaminated the nibs
during the post-harvest processes of fermentation, drying,
bagging and transportation. The process ensures that the
Total Plate Count (TPC) is reduced to less than 500 per
gram, and all pathogenic bacteria are destroyed. After
sterilisation, the nibs can then be roasted directly (natural
process) or can be alkalised first by the Dutch process
before roasting. In situations where sterilisation is done
after roasting, the heat treatment is used to ensure total
destruction of heat-resistant bacteria and spores that might
have survived the high temperatures of the roasting
process. The procedure is to inject, over a period of about
20 seconds, a fine water spray of steam into the roasting
drum at the end of the roasting period. This guarantees a
considerable reduction in microbial count in the roasted
nibs
Alkalisation
The technique of alkalisation was first introduced by a
Dutchman known as van Houten in 1928 and therefore
named it as the Dutch process. All cocoa, beans, nibs or
liquor that is so treated is described as ‘alkalised’ or
‘Ducted’. This consists of treating the cocoa nibs with an
alkali solution such as potassium or sodium carbonate. The
alkali is used to raise the pH of the beans or nibs from 5.2
to 5.6 to near neutrality at 6.8–7.5, depending on the alkali
used, and the purposes are primarily to modify the colour
and flavour of cocoa powder or cocoa liquor, and also
improve dispersibility or suspension of the cocoa solids in
water. During the process, the alkali solution is sprayed
into the drum after it has been charged with the nibs,
which is then slowly dried at a temperature below 100◦C
(212◦F).
Roasting
Cocoa beans are roasted to develop further the original
cocoa flavour that exists in the form of precursors
generated during the processes of fermentation and drying
of the beans. During roasting of the dried fermented beans,
several physical and chemical changes take place, which
include the following:
1. Loosening of the shells.
2. Moisture loss from the beans to about 2% final content.
3. The nibs (cotyledons) become more friable and generally
darken in colour.
4. Additional reduction in the number of micro-organisms
present in the beans. This helps attain food-grade
products, such as cocoa butter, cocoa powder and cocoa
liquor, which have stringent microbiological
specifications.
5. Degradation of amino acids takes place and proteins are
partly denatured. The natural reducing sugars are almost
destroyed during degradation of amino acids.
6. Losses of volatile acids and other substances that
contribute to acidity and bitterness. A large number of
compounds have been detected in the volatile
compounds including aldehydes, ketones, pyrazines,
alcohols and esters. The substances that undergo only
minimal changes are the fats, polyphenols and alkaloids
explained that the degree of changes is related to the
time and temperature of roasting and the rate of
moisture loss during the process. The roasting
temperature varies between 90 and 170◦C depending on
the type of roasting adopted, being dry or moist roasting
three main methods of roasting are employed within the

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cocoa processing industry and these include the
following:
1. Whole bean roasting
2. Nib roasting
3. Liquor roasting
Whole bean roasting is usually the traditional way of
producing cocoa liquor. By this process, the beans are
roasted first before winnowing to facilitate removal of the
shells which are broken by high-speed impact against
metal plates. During the process, the heat causes some of
the fat to migrate into the shells, thus resulting in a loss of
some cocoa butter. This is particularly important in the
case of broken or crushed beans. Nib roasting is done by
first removing the shells before roasting, and by this many
of the limitations of whole bean roasting are overcome.
This also makes it possible to treat the nibs with alkaline
or sugar solution during roasting to help improve flavour
development in certain types of cocoa. In liquor roasting,
thermal pre-treatment is often used before winnowing for
liquor roasting. The nib is then ground to liquor before
roasting. The major disadvantage of both nib and liquor
roasting is that the shell must be removed before it has
been loosened from the nib by heating, and this may result
in poor separation, especially with some type of cocoa. As
a result, a variety of machines have been developed to
thermally pre-treat the beans. These develop a high surface
temperature and evaporate the internal moisture, which in
turn builds up a pressure within the bean, causing the shell
to come away from the nib.
Nib grinding and liquor treatment
Nib grinding involves milling of cocoa nibs to form cocoa
liquor. The purpose is to produce as low a viscosity as
possible to obtain smooth cocoa powder and chocolate
taste during subsequent use of the liquor. The nib has a
cellular structure containing about 55% cocoa butter in
solid form locked within the cells. Grinding of nib cells
releases the cocoa butter into liquor with particle size up to
30 μm, and for production of cocoa powder, fine grinding
is particularly important. The viscosity of the liquor is
related to the degree of roasting preceding the grinding
and to moisture content of the nib. Many machines are
used for reducing the nibs into liquor, and these include
stone mills, disc mills, pin or hammer mills and bead or
ball mills. The grinding is done in a multistage process,
and the heat treatment generated during the grinding
process causes the cocoa butter in the nib to melt, forming
the cocoa liquor. The refined cocoa liquor is heated in
storage tanks at a temperature of about 90–100◦C for
aging and microbial destruction, after which the liquor is
packaged for sale . Typically approximately 78–90% of
cocoa butter is collected by pressing; residual lipids may
be removed by supercritical fluid extraction.
Liquor pressing
Cocoa butter constitutes about half the weight of the cocoa
nib. This fat is partially removed from the cocoa liquor by
means of hydraulic presses applying pressures as high
as520 kg/cm2, and the larger presses take a charge of up to
113.4 kg per pressing cycle. Depending on the pressing
time and the settings of the press, the resulting cake may
have a fat content of between 10 and 24%. Two kinds of
cocoa cake can be obtained by the process:
1. High-fat cake containing between 22 and 24% residual
fat in the pressed cake
2. Low-fat cake containing between 10 and 12% residual
fat in the pressed cake
The cocoa butter extracted is discharged into receptacles
from which it is pumped into an intermediate tank for
further processing.
Cake grinding (kibbling)
After pressing, the cakes released are quite big to handle
and are therefore passed through kibbling machines to be
broken down into smaller pieces, known as kibbled cake.
The kibbled cake obtained is stored by fat content and
degree of alkalisation, and may be blended before
pulverisation to obtain the desired type of cocoa powder.
Cocoa powder production
The powder grinding lines usually comprise hammer-and-
disc or pin mills, which pulverise cocoa cake particles into
the defined level of fineness of cocoa powder. The powder
is then cooled after pulverisation so that the fat of the
cocoa powder crystallises into its stable form. This
prevents any discolouration (fat bloom) and the formation
of lumps in the bags after packing, a phenomenon that is
caused by insufficient crystallisation of the fat at the
moment of filli. The free flowing powder is then passed
through sieves and over magnets prior to packing in bulk
containers or four-ply multiwall paper bags lined with
polyethylene.
CHOCOLATE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
Chocolate manufacturing processes generally share
common features such as:
(1) Mixing
(2) Refining
(3) Conching of chocolate paste
(4) Tempering and depositing
(5) Moulding and demoulding
The outcome sought is smooth textures of products
considered desirable in modern confectionery and
elimination of oral perceptions of grittiness.
Mixing
Mixing of ingredients during chocolate manufacture is a
fundamental operation employed using time–temperature
combinations in a continuous or batch mixers to obtain
constant formulation consistency. In batch mixing,
chocolate containing cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter,
milk fat and milk powder (depending on product category)
is thoroughly mixed normally for 12–15 minutes at 40–
50◦C. Continuous mixing is usually used by large
chocolate manufacturers such as Nestl´e and Cadbury
using well-known automated kneaders, producing
somewhat tough texture and plastic consistency.
Refining
Refining of chocolate is important to the production of
smooth texture that is desirable in modern chocolate
confectionery. Mixtures of sugar and cocoa liquor (and
milk solids depending on the type of chocolate) at an
overall fat content of 8–24% are refined to particle size of
less than 30 μm normally using a combination of two- and
five-roll refiners. Final particle size critically influences
the rheological and sensory properties.
Conching
Conching is regarded as the endpoint or final operation in
the manufacture of bulk chocolate, whether milk or dark.

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It is an essential process that contributes to development of
viscosity, final texture and flavour. Conching is normally
carried out by agitating chocolate at more than50◦C for
few hours. In the early stages, moisture is reduced with
removal of certain undesirable flavour-active volatiles
such as acetic acid, and subsequently interactions between
disperse and continuous phase are promoted. In addition to
moisture and volatile acid removal, the conching
processing promotes flavour development due to the
prolonged mixing at elevated temperatures, giving a partly
caramelised flavour in non-milk crumb chocolate. The
process also aids reduction in viscosity of refiner pastes
throughout the process, and reduction in particle size and
removal of particle edges .The name of the equipment, the
conche, is derived from the Latin word ‘shell’, as the
traditional conche used in chocolate manufacture
resembled the shape of a shell is an illustration of a Frisse
conche. The Frisse conche is a typical example of an
overhead conche used in modern chocolate industry. It
consists of a large tank with three powerful intermeshing
mixer blades, providing shearing and mixing action.
Conching times and temperatures vary typically: for milk
crumb 10–16 hours at 49–52◦C, with milk powder
products 16–24hours at up to 60◦C, and with dark
chocolates at 70◦C and continue up to 82◦C. Replacing
full-fat milk powder with skimmed milk powder and
butter fat, temperatures up to 70◦Cmaybe used . To give
chocolate a suitable viscosity, additional cocoa butter and
lecithin can be added towards the end of conching to thin
or liquefy the chocolate prior to tempering
TEMPERING
The final process is called tempering.
Uncontrolled crystallization of cocoa butter typically
results in crystals of varying size, some or all large enough
to be clearly seen with the naked eye. This causes the
surface of the chocolate to appear mottled and matte, and
causes the chocolate to crumble rather than snap when
broken. The uniform sheen and crisp bite of properly
processed chocolate are the result of consistently small
cocoa butter crystals produced by the tempering process.
The fats in cocoa butter can crystallize in six different
forms (polymorphous crystallization) The primary purpose
of tempering is to assure that only the best form is present.
The six different crystal forms have different properties.
Crystal
Melting temp.
Notes
I
17 °C (63 °F)
Soft, crumbly, melts too easily
II
21 °C (70 °F)
Soft, crumbly, melts too easily
III
26 °C (79 °F)
Firm, poor snap, melts too easily
IV
28 °C (82 °F)
Firm, good snap, melts too easily
V
34 °C (93 °F)
Glossy, firm, best snap, melts near body temperature (37 °C)
VI
36 °C (97 °F)
Hard, takes weeks to form
As a solid piece of chocolate, the cocoa butter fat particles
are in a crystalline rigid structure that gives the chocolate
its solid appearance. Once heated, the crystals of the
polymorphic cocoa butter are able to break apart from the
rigid structure and allow the chocolate to obtain a more
fluid consistency as the temperature increases –the melting
process. When the heat is removed, the cocoa butter
crystals become rigid again and come closer together,
allowing the chocolate to solidify.
The temperature in which the crystals obtain enough
energy to break apart from their rigid conformation would
depend on the milk fat content in the chocolate and the
shape of the fat molecules, as well as the form of the cocoa
butter fat. Chocolate with a higher fat content will melt at
a lower temperature.
Making chocolate considered "good" is about forming as
many type V crystals as possible. This provides the best
appearance and texture and creates the most stable
crystals, so the texture and appearance will not degrade
over time. To accomplish this, the temperature is carefully
manipulated during the crystallization.
Generally, the chocolate is first heated to 45°C (113 °F) to
melt all six forms of crystals. Next, the chocolate is cooled
to about 27°C (81 °F), which will allow crystal types IV
and V to form. At this temperature, the chocolate is
agitated to create many small crystal "seeds" which will
serve as nuclei to create small crystals in the chocolate.
The chocolate is then heated to about 31°C (88 °F) to
eliminate any type IV crystals, leaving just type V. After
this point, any excessive heating of the chocolate will
destroy the temper and this process will have to be
repeated. However, other methods of chocolate tempering
are used. The most common variant is introducing already
tempered, solid "seed" chocolate. The temper of chocolate
can be measured with a chocolate temper meter to ensure
accuracy and consistency. A sample cup is filled with the
chocolate and placed in the unit which then displays or
prints the results.
Two classic ways of manually tempering chocolate are:
Working the molten chocolate on a heat-absorbing
surface, such as a stone slab, until thickening indicates
the presence of sufficient crystal "seeds"; the chocolate
is then gently warmed to working temperature.
Stirring solid chocolate into molten chocolate to
"inoculate" the liquid chocolate with crystals (this
method uses the already formed crystals of the solid
chocolate to "seed" the molten chocolate).
Chocolate tempering machines (or temperers) with
computer controls can be used for producing consistently
tempered chocolate. In particular continuous tempering
machines are used in large volume applications. Various
methods and apparatuses for continuous flow tempering
have been described by Aasted, Sollich and Buhler, three
manufacturers of commercial chocolate equipment, with a
focus now on energy efficiency. In general, molten
chocolate coming in at 40–50°C is cooled in heat
exchangers to crystallization temperates of about 26–
30 °C, passed through a tempering column consisting of
spinning plates to induce shear, then warmed slightly to
re-melt undesirable crystal formations.

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Chocolate defects
When a product has defect(s) in quality, it may either be
rendered unwholesome due to food safety concerns or
unacceptable in sensory character. In the case of the latter,
it may be subjected to rework to meet expected or aspired
sensory perceptions. Typically, two main types of defects
occur in chocolates during post-processing handling,
storage, warehousing and distribution. These include fat
and sugar blooms.
Fat bloom
Fat bloom occurs when fat crystals protruding chocolate,
or chocolate-flavoured coating surface, disturb the
reflection of light and appears visible as a whitish film of
fat, usually covering the entire surface, making the
products unacceptable for marketing and consumption.
Although fat-bloomed chocolate does not pose any public
health or safety hazards to consumer, the process renders
the product unappealing, and therefore renders it inedible.
Fat bloom can be caused by the following:
1. Insufficient crystallisation during tempering
2. Recrystallisation without appropriate tempering
3. In homogeneity of the chocolate or chocolate-flavoured
coatings
4. Differences in temperature between the chocolate and
the centre
5. Incorrect cooling conditions
6. Fat migration
7. Touch, also known as touch bloom
8. Inappropriate storage conditions, i.e. humidity and
temperature
When chocolate is poorly tempered, there is formation of
the soft Form IV that transforms over a period to the
denser and stable Form V, influenced by temperature.
During this transformation, some cocoa butter remains in
liquid state as the stable form (V) solidifies and contracts.
This coupled with the release of thermal energy as more
stable form (V) forms, the liquid fat forces between solid
particles and onto the surface where large crystals impart a
white appearance to the surface and recognized as fat
bloom. Naturally, Form V transforms to the more stable
Form VI, slowly over an extended period, again
influenced by temperature. This process also results in
formation of fat bloom. When optimally tempered
products are stored under high Temperatures such as
exposure to sunlight, chocolate melts, and during re-
crystallisation, in the absence of seeding to ensure the
direct formation of the stable form (V), a gradual
transition from unstable to stable forms results in fat
bloom. A fourth mechanism of fat blooming occurs with
chocolates that have centres. Usually, liquid fat from the
centres migrates and consequently reaches surfaces along
with some cocoa butter. Re crystallisation of this cocoa
butter results in fat bloom. Chocolate with nut centres is
mostly predisposed to this type of bloom.
Sugar bloom
Sugar bloom occurs through either poor storage conditions
(high humidity) or rapid transition of products from an
area of low to high temperature. Both conditions result in
sweating of the chocolate, which consequently dissolves
sugar. As the surface water evaporates, sugar crystals
remain on the surfaces, producing a white appearance.
This phenomenon is often confused with fat bloom but is
completely different. The difference can be established
microscopically or whichever is simpler by heating the
chocolate to 38◦C. Fat bloom disappears at this
temperature, whereas sugar bloom remains visible.
TOP TEN MOST POPULAR CHOCOLATE
BRANDS
Toblerone
Toblerone began in Switzerland as a chocolate treat only
fit for royalty. Today the Toblerone chocolate brand
extends around the world. Toblerone chocolate fans love
the distinct prisms that are made from this chocolate. Each
one packed full of cocoa, nougat, almonds, and honey all
mixed perfectly together. It tastes as delicious as it sounds.
Now, it is offered in different flavours such as white,
pralines, plain, fruit & nuts, and honeycomb.
Guylian
The chocolate brand Guylian originated in Belgium. Now,
its famous chocolate is offered in more than 40 countries
worldwide. Guylian is best known for making handmade
cocoa wafers. More so, Guylian is even better known for
their chocolate seahorse which is the Guylian company
logo. The Guylian seahorse’s tail curves the opposite way
than a real seahorse’s tail. Also, winning the 2005 title for
the biggest Easter egg of all time. It took over eight days
to create and used over 50,000 chocolate seahorse bars.
That is one huge egg; it made the Guinness Book of World
Records.
Lindt & Sprungli
The Lindt & Sprungli chocolate brand is known all over
the worlds for making the best white chocolate you have
ever tasted. Originally founded in 1845 in Zurich. This
company has one of the largest chocolate factories in the
world. Taking deep care in the creation of their
chocolate desserts using only milk, granular ingredients,
and mixed with different flavourful fruits.
Ghirardelli
An Italian chocolatier Domingo Ghirardelli began making
the beloved Ghirardelli chocolate brand in 1852. Some of
the main ingredients are milk, cream, cocoa, and caramel.
Who could resist such a sweet mixture made by the finest
Italian craftsmen? The Ghirardelli chocolate brand is
historic. Their current headquarters is currently based in
the United States. Did you know that every year,
Ghirardelli hosts an annual two-day festival displaying
their most amazing milk chocolate disc? You will easily
recognize Ghirardelli chocolate by the exquisite design on
the chocolate. Truly making it one of a kind and one of the
very best chocolate brands in the world.
Patchi
Patchi chocolate brand is one of the best-selling chocolate
candy bars in the world. Their chocolate is known to be a
perfect gift for a dear friend or loved one. Patchi is a
combination of both Swiss and Belgium flavors. Truly a
delight that is impossible to resist. The finest cocoa and
fresh milk are known to be the chocolate brand’s core
ingredients. The beautiful packaging only increases the
irresistibility.
Galaxy
Galaxy started its chocolate enterprise in 1986 from the
same makers of the Mars chocolate brand. Galaxy
chocolate is made with fresh milk and intense, dark cocoa
but is magically entwined with delicious and sweet fruit
flavors. It’s hard to resist. The first time I saw Galaxy
chocolate, I would not take my eyes off of the sweet

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chocolate until it touched my taste buds. It is an irresistible
chocolate brand of the highest quality.
Cadbury
John Cadbury began his famous chocolate industry in
London in 1824. Who knew Cadbury would have come
this far? Cadbury is a name recognized worldwide. Every
person in the world known of the Cadbury bunny at
Easter. Easter is one of the biggest times for selling
chocolate and sweets. Although, Cadbury is a famous
chocolate brand all year long. All made with milk, honey,
cocoa, and fresh ingredients. It is easy to see why Cadbury
is one of the most famous chocolate brands in the world.
Ferrero Rocher
There are many reasons why Ferrero Rocher made the top
3 spot on our list. It quite possibly may be the extravagant
packaging or the delicious chocolate that everyone so
dearly loves. Or maybe it’s the fact that Ferrero Rocher
has been a leader in the chocolate industry for nearly 200
years. Ferrero Rocher is delightful and sensational
chocolate covered in a gold foil wrapping that looks like it
should only be eaten by royalty. Every bite will satisfy you
from the wafer to the caramel topping, purely mouth
watering.
Kit Kat
Give me a break, give me a break. Break me off a piece of
that kit kat bar. The famous chocolate brand Kit Kat has
hit the number two spot on our list by more than the
catchy jingle that goes along with the classic chocolate
bar. Thin wafers covered in milk chocolate, delicious,
plus, you can break them into pieces to save for later or
share with family or friends. My sister and I used to love
this treat as children. It was easy to divide between us.
Plus, we loved to savor every last drop. Beginning in 1935
as Kit Cat renamed Kit Kat. It has become a household
name and has different flavours to satisfy everyone’s taste.
My personal all time favorite chocolate bar is the Kit Kat
white chocolate. Oh, I love it!
Mars
The number one spot, Mars chocolate brand. The Mars
chocolate bars are the number one selling chocolate brand
across the globe. In my book, that makes it the most
famous chocolate brand of all time. Mars bars are
absolutely delicious. This chocolate brand got its start in
the United Kingdom nearly 100 years. It’s timeless recipe
of honey, caramel, nougat, minced almonds. The
packaging is in perfect little boxes making the Mars
chocolate brand a great gift. Like every other famous
chocolate brand, Mars developed more than one flavour.
Including the flavour variety of Almond, Dark, Light,
Midnight, Lava, and The Fling. Customers stay happy
having Mars’ own versions of Snickers and Milky way.
Mars had my vote and had made our list of the top most
famous chocolate brand of all time.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHOCOLATE
1. It can help your heart to stay healthy
Lots of studies reveal that the flavonoids in chocolate can
help your veins and arteries to stay supple. Over 7 studies
followed 114,000 participants who were given a few
servings of dark chocolate a week. The results showed that
their risk of getting a heart attack was reduced by about
37% while the chances of getting a stroke were 29% less
when they had a higher consumption of chocolate.
2. It may help improve your memory as you get older
Research has shown that when elderly people were
given specially prepared cocoa extracts which was high in
flavanols, their cognitive function greatly improved. The
only problem is that when it comes to eating chocolate, the
percentage of those cocoa flavanols is much reduced due
to the processing and the addition of eggs, sugar and milk.
3. It can help to avoid sunburn
One study conducted in London found that women who
were given chocolate with high flavanol content were able
to withstand double the amount of UV light on their skins
without burning, compared to those on lower doses.
4. It may make you better at math
I was never good at math at school. Maybe I should have
eaten more dark chocolate! This is the startling conclusion
I have reached after reading about the research of
Professor David Kennedy who is Director of Brain,
Performance and Nutrition at the Research Center
of Northumbria University (UK). Participants were given
500 mg of flavanols in a hot cocoa drink. They benefited
from increased flow to the brain as a result and were better
at coping with difficult math equations.
5. It may put you in a better mood
I wish my uncle had given my aunt some chocolate when
he told her to stop crying and to ‘cheer up.’ He obviously
had not read about the work at the University of
Swinburne in Australia. These guys again targeted the
cocoa polyphenols and they found that it had a beneficial
effect on the mood of the participants who were calmer
and happier.
6. It may help lower cholesterol levels
The Journal of Nutrition carries an interesting article about
the results of a study done to determine whether dark
chocolate could have any effect on the LDL cholesterol
levels. They found that when subjects were given bars of
dark chocolate with plant sterols and flavanols, they were
getting lower scores on their cholesterol levels.
7. It may help people with Alzheimer’s disease
As we know, the nerve pathways to the brain get damaged
when Alzheimer’s disease strikes, causing severe loss in
certain mental functions. It is fascinating to read about
how one extract from cocoa, called lavado, can actually
reduce the damage done to these vital pathways.
8. It can help you with your workout
Another magical flavanol in chocolate is epicatechin. Mice
were given this substance and they were much fitter and
stronger than those mice on water only. Researchers say
that to get the best you have to limit the amount to only
about half of one square of chocolate a day! If you have
too much, it could undo the beneficial effects
9. It is very nutritious
Did you know that if choose chocolate with a high cocoa
content (75% to 85%) you are getting a very nutritious
snack? Take the typical 100 gram chocolate bar. It has
almost all of your RDA for copper and manganese. It
contains over half your magnesium RDA and about two
thirds (67%) of your RDA for iron. It also has about 10%
of fiber. There is also lots of zinc, selenium and potassium
too.

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10. It can help to lower your blood pressure
You may not know it but having the right amount of NO
(Nitric Oxide) in your body can help your arteries to relax.
That will, in turn help to take some of the pressure off
them and the result is a lower BP count. Just another
benefit of the dark chocolate flavanols which help to
produce this vital Nitric Oxide.
11. It helps you produce more endorphins
When you are on a high, it may be due to excitement, love
or after exercise. This high is due to the release of
endorphins which are brain hormones. The great
advantage of chocolate is that flavanols can also help
in endorphin production without having to run a marathon!
Endorphins play a key role in helping to prevent
depression and other mental disorders.
12. It may reduce pregnancy complications
One of the complications of pregnancy is known
as preeclampsia in which blood pressure can shoot up.
Researchers have established that one of the chemicals in
dark chocolate, thebromine, can stimulate the heart and
help the arteries dilate. When pregnant women were given
higher doses of chocolate, they had a 40% less chance of
developing this complication.
13. It may help with diabetes
You probably think that chocolate is too sweet for
diabetics and is one of their banned treats, but one small
study at the University of L’Aquila in Italy found that the
right does of chocolate flavonoids can help the body’s
metabolism and enhance insulin function. This could
benefit people with diabetes but more studies need to be
done.
14. It may help you reduce your food cravings
You know the feeling: you cannot function until you have
a snack. One of the healthiest is a piece of dark chocolate
because it fills you up quicker and reduces craving for
salty and sweet snacks, according to a small research
study.
15. It may help your cough
Another marvelous effect of the theobromine chemical in
chocolate is that it can calm a troublesome cough.
Manufacturers are looking at this to produce safer cough
syrups instead of using codeine which has some
undesirable side effects.
16. It may help with blood circulation
Normally you take an aspirin to help prevent blood
clotting and to improve circulation. Studies now show that
chocolate can have a similar effect.
17. It can also help you see better
University of Reading researchers were curious to see if
dark chocolate flavanols could actually improve vision as
they knew it certainly improved blood circulation in
general. They decided to do a small experiment and gave
two groups of volunteers some white and dark chocolate.
The dark chocolate groups were doing better on vision
tests afterwards.
18. It may help reduce fatigue
If you suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome you should
try adding chocolate to your daily diet. One group of
sufferers were given a daily dose of chocolate for two
months. They were less tired and the best news of all is
that they did not put on any extra weight
19. It may help to lower your Body Mass Index
There has been a lot of emphasis on how chocolate can
actually reduce your BMI (Body Mass Index) which is
how you measure up as regards your height versus your
weight. One study took 1,000 Californians and they found
that those who ate chocolate more often during the week
had a lower BMI. Overall diet and exercise regimes were
not factors which influenced this result.
20. It may help reduce your chances of getting cancer
As we have mentioned, the cocoa flavanols in dark
chocolate have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties. These are important in keeping the actions
of free radicals at bay. As we know, these are the
protagonists when cancer starts to invade cells.
Tips for Storing Your Chocolates
Chocolate is very sensitive to temperature and humidity.
Ideal storage temperatures are between 15 and 17 °C (59
and 63 °F), with a relative humidity of less than 50%. If
refrigerated or frozen without containment, chocolate can
absorb enough moisture to cause a whitish discoloration,
the result of fat or sugar crystals rising to the surface.
Various types of "blooming" effects can occur if chocolate
is stored or served improperly.
Chocolate bloom is caused by storage temperature
fluctuating or exceeding 24 °C (75 °F), while sugar bloom
is caused by temperature below 15 °C (59 °F) or excess
humidity. To distinguish between different types of bloom,
one can rub the surface of the chocolate lightly, and if the
bloom disappears, it is fat bloom. Moving chocolate
between temperature extremes can result in an oily texture.
Although visually unappealing, chocolate suffering from
bloom is safe for consumption. Bloom can be reversed by
re tempering the chocolate or using it for any use that
requires melting the chocolate.
Chocolate is generally stored away from other foods, as it
can absorb different aromas. Ideally, chocolates are
packed or wrapped, and placed in proper storage with the
correct humidity and temperature. Additionally, chocolate
is frequently stored in a dark place or protected from light
by wrapping paper.
DON'T REFRIGERATE! Chocolate easily absorbs
odours of whatever’s in the refrigerator (Roquefort
cheese, lamb curry —you get the idea). Moisture in the
fridge can also lead to “sugar bloom,” meaning the
sugar rises to the surface and discolours the chocolate
(which has no effect on flavour, but doesn’t look too
appealing). So instead of the fridge:
Store it in a cool, dry place. When chocolate is kept at
a consistent temperature below 70°F (ideally between
65 and 68°F), and at a humidity of less than 55%, the
emulsion of cocoa solids and cocoa butter will stay
stable for months.
But even in a cool, dry place: Remember that cocoa
butter (the vegetable fat in chocolate) picks up the smell
of whatever’s around it. So unless you want your
bonbons and bars to taste like vanilla extract or garlic
powder, follow the next rule:
Seal them in an air-tight container. Oxygen does just
what you’d expect it to — it oxidizes chocolate, which
causes less-than-ideal flavours to develop. And although

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chocolates are not known to be a favorite food of
vampires...
Keep them away from the light! Not just sunlight
(unless you want to make fondue), but also artificial
light. They both cast the same kind of bad-flavour spell
as oxygen does.
Stored this way, chocolate will last a
while: Solid milk chocolate keeps for over a year; solid
dark keeps for nearly two years; and white for four
months. Filled chocolates, such as truffles, keep for
about three to four months (unless they’re full of
preservatives).
Of course, our chocolates never contain any
preservatives or additives, so be sure to eat them while
they’re fresh! Or, if you have a large supply, create a
candy buffet and invite your friends over to share. (At
right, a chocolate buffet adds a perfect touch to
weddings and parties.)
Sometimes, you have to refrigerate: Summer’s hot,
and not everyone uses air conditioning. But before you
put chocolate in the fridge, first wrap it tightly to protect
against odors and condensation, then seal it in an airtight
container. When you take it out, let it come back to
room temperature before unwrapping. This will keep
your chocolates edible for anywhere from three to six
months.
And if you need to store it longer: For durations of six
months to a year, the freezer can be your friend. Follow
the instructions above for placing your chocolates in the
refrigerator. Once a full 24 hours have gone by, move
the container from the fridge to your freezer (this avoids
temperature shock, and helps preserve texture). To
remove from the freezer —just reverse the steps. Move
from freezer to fridge, wait a full 24 hours, remove from
the fridge, and let come to room temperature before you
finally unwrap them. (Always eat your chocolate at
room temperature, especially truffles!)
CONCLUSION
Chocolate is enjoyed by consumers by all over the world
due to its unique taste, texture and aroma .It can be made
in the form of a liquid, paste or in a block, or used as a
flavouring ingredient in other foods. Chocolate
manufacturing is complex and requires several
technological operations and processes to achieve the
desired product quality. During processing, the properties,
rheological behaviour and sensory perception of chocolate
are influenced largely by its processing techniques,
particle size distribution and ingredient composition. The
cocoa chocolate contains healthy components which
include flavonals, antioxidants and oleic acid. Chocolate
has so many advantages, but don’t eat too much because
everything with too much will give bad results. Chocolate
is healthy for you in moderation. Chocolate flavour resides
not only in a volatile aromatic fraction of flavour-active
components but also in non-volatile compounds
influencing taste perception. Its complex composition
depends on the cocoa bean genotype, specifically on
contents of bean storage proteins, polysaccharides and
polyphenols. The inheritance and regulation of such
flavour origins remain an area for advanced research.
Enzymic and microbial fermentations after harvest induce
physical and chemical changes in beans over 5–7 days
with key browning reactions of polyphenol with proteins
(12–15% total) and peptides, giving colours characteristic
of cocoa. Drying limits mould growth during
transportation and storage, reducing bean moisture content
from 60 to 8%. Sun drying is favoured for flavour
development and can be carried out above or on hard
surfaces, with differences in airflow and final moisture
content. Beans are transported under controlled storage
conditions to chocolate manufacturing sites,or processed
in the origin country to add value with requirements for
traceability in quality assurance. Following critical review
of the entire process, a summary of the parameters
important for chocolate flavour generation has been
developed. An appropriate starting composition can be
converted through controlled post-harvest treatments and
subsequent processing technologies to a high-quality
flavour character. Cocoa bean fermentation is crucial to
not only the formation of key volatile fractions (alcohols,
esters and fatty acids)but also provision of flavour
precursors (amino acids and reducing sugars) for
important notes contributing to chocolate characters.
Drying reduces levels of acidity and astringency in cocoa
nibs by decreasing the volatile acids and total polyphenols.
Chocolate manufacturing is complex and requires a
combination of several ingredients and technological
operations to achieve the desired rheological, textural and
melting qualities. However, the extent to which the
formulated ingredients and the applied processing
operations, such as refining and conching, influence these
quality characteristics remains quite unclear to processors
and therefore requires in-depth investigations to elucidate
their effects.
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