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Post by ezekiel on Aug 5, 2009 12:35:14 GMT -5
I've been reading through some patents on cocoa processing and ran across this as an interesting way of dehulling cocoa nibs. It also reduces some of the pathogens. US Patent # 4322444
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Post by Alchemist on Aug 5, 2009 13:12:36 GMT -5
Interesting in the respect that it is common practice and I doubt the patent is valid since people are doing it with being challenged. It's basically a high intensity, low duration pre-roasting. The general thought is that it causes water to vaporize and 'puff' the husk away from the nib, making it easier to separate.
I know a number of companies that do this.
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Post by ezekiel on Aug 5, 2009 13:19:01 GMT -5
Yes, the patent has expired since it is from 1982.
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