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Explore the fascinating process of chocolate production, from how cocoa is grown and harvested to the intricate steps involved in creating decadent chocolate treats. Learn about cocoa pods, fermentation, distributing, making cocoa powder, and producing chocolate. Discover the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into each step and how various ingredients blend to create the iconic taste of chocolate. For more details, visit our website!
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Overview of Chocolate Processing Blue Heron Middle School October 2, 2012
How Cocoa Is Grown • Cocoa pods grow on a tree • Grown 15 degrees north or south of equator • A delicate crop, bears fruit in fifth year • A tree can live 25 years or more
Cocoa Pods • Rough, leather-like husk weighing over 2 pounds • Filled with 30–50 seeds called cocoa beans • Seeds contain a sweet pulp • Pulp is half cocoa butter and half cocoa solids
Picking and Fermenting • Beans are extracted by farmers • Harvesting occurs a few times a year • Beans are fermented under piles of banana leaves • Fermenting takes five days • Beans are dried in the sun on bamboo mats
Distributing • Dried beans are sold to agents who sell to wholesalers • Most are used to produce chocolate confections • Some cocoa butter is used in cosmetics
Making Cocoa Powder • Beans are roasted in cylinders • Inside of bean (nib) ground into cocoa mass • Cocoa butter pressed out of the cocoa mass • Cocoa powder remains
Producing Chocolate • Other ingredients are added: sugar, milk, etc. • Heavy rollers swirl mixture (conching) • Mixture is heated, cooled, and then heated (tempering) • Chocolate is poured into molds • Used to make candies such as chocolate surrounding caramel (enrobing)
For More Information Visit Our Website www.emcp.net/TheChocolateMuseum