Roasting cocoa beans is an essential step in the process of making chocolate or gourmet cocoa-based dishes. Roasting helps develop the characteristic aromas of cocoa and reduces the bitterness of untreated beans. Here are the general steps for roasting cocoa beans:
Necessary material
- Unroasted cocoa beans
- An oven
- A hotplate or frying pan
- Heat-resistant gloves (for your safety)
Preheating the oven
Preheat your oven to a temperature between 90 and 120°C. The exact temperature may vary depending on your method and preference, but this is a common starting temperature. The larger the beans, the higher the temperature.
Preparing the beans
Make sure the cocoa beans are clean and dry. You can remove shells or impurities if necessary.
Distribution on the cooking plate
Spread the cocoa beans on a baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure they are not crowded for even roasting.
Roasting the beans
Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and monitor the temperature carefully. You can adjust the temperature according to your preference. Roasting can last from 40 minutes to about 1 hour, depending on the variety of beans, their moisture content and the desired flavor.
Moving the beans
While roasting, flip and move the beans 3-4 times to ensure even roasting. This also helps prevent burning.
Checking color and aroma
Roasting is ready when the beans reach the desired color and aroma. Color may vary from light brown to dark brown. The aroma should be rich and chocolatey, with a strong cocoa smell.
Cooling the beans
Remove the beans from the oven and let them cool. They will be very hot, so use caution when handling them.
Removal of shells
After cooling, you can remove the shells around the beans if you wish. This process can be lengthy, but it will prevent you from having waste in your chocolate or recipe. the product recovered is called nibs ( roasted cocoa bean then crushed . ).
Storage of beans
Once the beans are roasted, you can store them in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use them to make chocolate.
Roasting cocoa beans is a process that can be adapted based on your flavor preferences. The longer and hotter the roasting, the stronger and less bitter the beans will taste. Experiment to find the roast that best suits your needs.
Please note , the beans must be put in the oven for at least 40 minutes at 100°C to ensure good sterilization of the product.
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