Abstract: An apparatus for drying and/or roasting beans, such as cocoa beans, or parts of beans, such as nibs, includes a frame, a drum for receiving the (parts of) beans, rotatably mounted in the frame and provided with an inlet for a fluid, in particular a gas, such as heated air, a fan for feeding the fluid via the inlet to the drum, and a drive for rotating the drum. The fluid inlet and the drive are located on the same end of the drum.

Abstract: A method of and a system for surface pasteurizing or sterilizing low-moisture particulate foods, such as nuts, oats, and spices, is disclosed wherein the foods are pre-heated, pasteurized or sterilized in a gas, optionally dried, and cooled. The gas pasteurizing or sterilizing the foods contains water vapor and one or more further gasses, preferably air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press (1) for separating fat containing mass, e.g. cocoa mass, into liquid fat and cake, comprising a frame (2), a plurality of pressing elements (6) disposed in the frame (2), and a hydraulic cylinder and plunger (3, 3A) for exerting pressure on the pressing elements (6), the pressing elements (6) comprising a pot (7) having a cavity (8) for receiving mass to be pressed, a squeezer (9) located at least partially in the cavity (8), and filters (11) disposed in front of the squeezer (9) and on the side of the cavity (8) opposite the squeezer (9), wherein, in the filling position of the press (1), the distance between the filters (11) is in a range from 10 to 90 mm. The ratio (Dc/Dp) of the diameter (Dc) of the hydraulic cylinder (3) and the diameter (Dp) of the cavities (8) is smaller than 1.15.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for drying and/or roasting beans for foodstuff, such as cocoa beans, or parts of beans, such as cocoa nibs, comprising a frame, a drum (2) for receiving the beans or parts of beans rotatably mounted in the frame and at least partially closed at one end (3) and open at the other (4), a shell (5) enveloping the drum (2), a door (7) for closing the open end (4) of the drum (2), a heater (19) for heating the drum (2), and a fan and a valve (26) for maintaining an under-pressure in the space (20) between the drum (2) and the shell (5). A seal (30) is located in the clearance between the drum (2) and the shell (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a press (1) for separating fat containing mass, e.g. cocoa mass, into liquid fat and cake, comprising a frame (2), a plurality of pressing elements (6) disposed in the frame (2), and a hydraulic cylinder and plunger (3, 3A) for exerting pressure on the pressing elements (6), the pressing elements (6) comprising a pot (7) having a cavity (8) for receiving mass N to be pressed, a squeezer (9) located at least partially in the cavity (8) , and filters (11) disposed in front of the squeezer (9) and on the side of the cavity (8) opposite the squeezer (9), wherein, in the filling position of the press (1), the distance between the filters (11) is in a range from 10 to 90 mm. The ratio (Dc/Dp) of the diameter (Dc) of the hydraulic cylinder (3) and the diameter (Dp) of the cavities (8) is smaller than 1.15.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating cocoa mass into cocoa butter and cocoa cake by means of a press (1) comprising one or more pressing elements (6) in turn comprising a pot (7) having a cavity (8) for receiving cocoa mass to be pressed, a squeezer (9) located at least partially in the cavity (8), and at least one filter (11) disposed in front of the squeezer (9) and/or on the side of the cavity (8) opposite the squeezer (9), which method comprises the steps of filling the cavity or cavities (8) with cocoa mass, exerting pressure on the pressing element(s) (6) thus pressing cocoa butter through the filter(s) (11), releasing pressure from the pressing element(s) (6), and opening the pot(s) (7) to remove the cocoa cake(s) from the cavity or cavities (8). Prior to releasing the pressure from the pressing element(s) (6), cocoa butter is purged from at least the space(s) (13) behind the filter(s) (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for conching edible mass, in particular cocoa containing mass, such as chocolate, cocoa liquor or compound, including a shear device, in particular a so-called taste-changer (14), in turn has a housing (16), a shaft (17) rotatably mounted in the housing (16), means (19, 20) for subjecting the edible mass to high shear stresses, means (21, 22) for spreading the edible mass after it has been subjected to high shear, and an inlet (24, 25) for supplying a gas to the spread edible mass. The system further includes a thin film evaporator (15) to treat the edible mass exiting the shear device (14).