Abstract: Roasted cocoa beans having reduced levels of acrylamide, cocoa beans having reduced levels of asparagine, and an article of commerce. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for reducing the level of acrylamide in roasted cocoa beans comprising reducing the level of asparagine in cocoa beans. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for reducing the level of asparagine in cocoa beans comprising adding an asparagine-reducing enzyme to cocoa beans. In still another aspect, an article of commerce communicates to the consumer that the product comprising cocoa beans has reduced or low levels of asparagine and/or acrylamide.

Abstract: A method for the reduction of acrylamide in food products, food products having reduced levels of acrylamide, and an article of commerce. In one aspect, the method comprises reducing the level of asparagine in a food material before final heating (e.g., cooling). In another aspect, the method comprises adding to a food material an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the amide group of free asparagine. In yet another aspect, an article of commerce communicates to the consumer that a food product has reduced or low levels of acrylamide or asparagine.