Method for Solvent Extracting Cocoa Butter from Cocoa Nibs

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of processing a fat-containing bean, e.g., cocoa beans, for producing solids comprising active polyphenols and/or fat-containing products, comprising extracting the fat to produce solids and fat-containing products. Additionally, the inventive method also provides cocoa compositions comprising at least one active polyphenol, wherein the concentration of the polyphenol(s) with respect to the nonfat solids is conserved with respect to the concentration of the active polyphenol(s) in the bean from which the compositions are derived.

1 - 198 . (canceled)  
     
     
         199 . A process for extracting cocoa butter from cocoa nibs comprises the steps of: 
 (a) cleaning cocoa beans;    (b) heating the cleaned cocoa beans to a temperature sufficient to separate the cocoa shells from the cocoa nibs;    (c) winnowing the cocoa nibs from the cocoa shells; and    (d) extracting the cocoa nibs with a polar solvent, a non-polar solvent, a supercritical fluid, or mixtures thereof to obtain the cocoa butter.    
     
     
         200 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the cocoa beans are slaty cocoa beans, purple cocoa beans, purple/brown cocoa beans, and/or brown cocoa beans.  
     
     
         201 . The process of  claim 200 , wherein the cocoa beans are brown cocoa beans.  
     
     
         202 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the bean cleaning is carried out in an air fluidized bed density separator.  
     
     
         203 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the bean heating is carried out at an internal bean temperature of between 110 and 165° C.  
     
     
         204 . The process of  claim 203 , wherein the internal bean temperature is between 125° and 135° C.  
     
     
         205 . The process of  claim 202 , wherein the heating is infrared heating.  
     
     
         206 . The process of  claim 203 , wherein the heating is infrared heating.  
     
     
         207 . The process of  claim 204 , wherein the heating is infrared heating.  
     
     
         208 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the winnowing is carried out in an air fluidized bed density separator.  
     
     
         209 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the solvent is a polar solvent and/or a non-polar solvent.  
     
     
         210 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the solvent is water under high temperature and high pressure.  
     
     
         211 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the solvent is an alcohol.  
     
     
         212 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the solvent is a mixture of water and an alcohol.  
     
     
         213 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the solvent is a hydrocarbon.  
     
     
         214 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the solvent is a mixture of light paraffinic petroleum fractions.  
     
     
         215 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the solvent is the supercritical fluid.  
     
     
         216 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein chemicals or enzymes are added to promote hydrolysis and dissolution of the cocoa butter.  
     
     
         217 . The process of  claim 199 , further comprising the step of deodorizing the cocoa butter.