Cocoa Powder – The powder that makes the world happy.
Cocoa powder is used in various ways nowadays. Its range of application possibilities is broad: from food decoration to chocolate-like fat glazes, from beverage powders to baking goods, right up to desserts.
Cocoa powder production is based on two important inventions: alkalisation and the hydraulic press. In 1825, Van Houten developed a pressing process in order to reduce the fat content of chocolate and cocoa drinks. Shortly thereafter, in 1828, he used alkali salts in the production of cocoa powder for the first time. In doing so, he invented alkalisation, also called, dutching.
Cocoa beans used for cocoa powder production are cleaned and then broken (normally unroasted). After the shells have been separated, alkali solutions, like potassium carbonate solution, are added. The alkalised cocoa kernels are then roasted and ground into a cocoa mass. Golden yellow cocoa butter is pressed from them in large hydraulic presses at up to 600 bars of pressure. What remains are hard “cocoa press cakes”, which are approximately 45cm in diameter and 5cm thick.
The cocoa mass’s fat content sinks during pressing. Depending on the strength of pressing, this is from about 52% to about 10-24%. The cocoa press cakes are then roughly broken up by sprocket wheels and finely ground in impact mills. This process occurs under cooling and over several stages.
The cocoa’s flavour is now rounded off by means of alkalisation. The acids in cocoa are neutralised; a process that discernibly reduces cocoa’s astringent qualities. At the same time, cocoa powder’s typical aroma develops and its colour deepens. A broad palette of light red to dark-brown cocoa powders can be produced by varying the conditions of alkalisation.
Anyone who wants to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate without forgoing RITTER SPORT’S excellent quality can simply melt 2-3 pieces of any of the following RITTER SPORT varieties in a cup of hot milk: RITTER SPORT Praline, RITTER SPORT Fine Extra Dark Chocolate, RITTER SPORT Dark Chocolate 50% Cocoa, or any other variety of your choice. Stir well and enjoy this delicious drink.
