Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for chocolate crumb manufacture and to chocolate crumb and confectionery products made using the process. The process comprises: a) providing a milk and sugar mixture, or mixing together, milk and sugar so as to form a mixture; b) evaporating liquid from the mixture; c) adding cocoa mass/liquor to the mixture during and/or after steps (a) and/or (b); d) effecting sugar crystallisation in the mixture by subjecting the mixture to a temperature in the range of 55 to 1100C, under a lowered pressure in the range of 3.5 to 18 kPa for 10 to 20 minutes; and e) drying the mixture so as to form chocolate crumb. The sugar crystallisation parameters employed in the process result in reduced fouling of equipment and chocolate crumb having superior flavour and texture development.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of chocolate crumb and chocolate crumb and confectionery products made using the process. The process comprises: a) providing a milk and sugar mixture or mixing together, milk and sugar so as to form a mixture; b) evaporating liquid from the mixture so as to form sweetened condensed milk; c) adding and mixing cocoa mass/liquor to the sweetened condensed; d) subjecting the sweetened condensed milk and cocoa mass/liquor mixture to conditions effective to bring about sugar crystallisation in the mixture; e) drying the mixture so as to form chocolate crumb; and f) seeding the mixture with sugar during and/or between one or more of steps (c) to (e). The mixture is seeded with sugar so as to promote crystallisation prior to and/or during and/or after sugar crystallisation.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of chocolate crumb. A milk and sugar mixture is provided, or milk and sugar are mixed together so as to form a mixture, and liquid is evaporated from the mixture so as to form sweetened condensed milk The sweetened condensed milk is heated to a temperature in the range of 75 to 110° C. for a period of 10 to 60 minutes, and cocoa mass/liquor are added and mixed to sweetened condensed milk to form a mixture. The mixture is then subjected to conditions effective to bring about a sugar crystallisation in the mixture, and dried so as to form chocolate crumb.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of chocolate crumb. A milk and sugar mixture is provided, or milk and sugar are mixed together so as to form a mixture, and liquid is evaporated from the mixture. During the process of mixing and/or evaporating liquid, cocoa mass/liquor is added and mixed to the mixture. The mixture is then subjected to conditions effective to bring about sugar crystallisation in the mixture, and dried so as to form chocolate crumb. Fat is added after sugar crystallisation.

Abstract: A process for chocolate crumb manufacture and chocolate crumb and confectionery products made using the process. The process comprises: a) providing a milk and sugar mixture or mixing together, milk and sugar so as to form a mixture; b) evaporating liquid from the mixture; c) adding and mixing cocoa mass/liquor to the mixture during and/or after steps (a) and/or (b); d) subjecting the mixture to conditions effective to bring about sugar crystallisation; e) drying the mixture so as to form chocolate crumb; and f) forming the chocolate crumb into a plurality of substantially uniformly shaped pieces. The crumb mixture is formed into a plurality of substantially uniformly shaped pieces. In one embodiment the pieces are formed by passing the chocolate crumb through one or more rollers which have one or more depressions adapted to shape the crumb into the pieces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for chocolate crumb manufacture and to chocolate crumb and confectionery products made using the process. The process comprises: a) providing a milk and sugar mixture or mixing together milk and sugar so as to form a mixture; b) heating the mixture to a temperature in the range of 55-110° C. under a lowered pressure in the range of 18-25 kPa so as to effect evaporation of liquid from the mixture; c) adding cocoa mass/liquor to the mixture during and/or after step (a) and/or step (b); d) subjecting the mixture to conditions effective to bring about sugar crystallisation in the mixture; and e) drying the mixture so as to form chocolate crumb. Evaporation takes place at a reduced temperature and pressure so as to produce a sweetened condensed milk. In one embodiment the milk and sugar mix is evaporated to between 85-88% solids by heating the mixture to between about 85° C. to 95° C. under a lowered pressure of approximately 24 kPa for 30 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for chocolate crumb manufacture and to chocolate crumb and confectionery products made using the process. The process comprises: a) providing a milk and sugar mixture or mixing together, milk and sugar so as to form a mixture; b) evaporating liquid from the mixture; c) adding cocoa mass/liquor to the mixture during and/or after step (a) and/or (b); d) subjecting the mixture to conditions effective to bring about sugar crystallisation in the mixtune; e) drying the mixture at a temperature in the range of 50 to 95° C. for 35 to 200 minutes so as to form chocolate crumb; and f) cooling the chocolate crumb by subjecting it to a temperature which is less than the drying temperature. The drying parameters employed in the process result in superior flavour and texture development of the chocolate crumb.

Abstract: A process for chocolate crumb manufacture and an apparatus for preparing chocolate crumb. The process for preparing chocolate crumb comprises: a) supplying a milk and sugar mixture, or mixing together milk and sugar, in a reaction vessel; b) evaporating excess liquid from the mixture in the reaction vessel so as to form sweetened condensed milk; c) adding cocoa mass/liquor to the reaction vessel during and/or after steps (a) and/or (b); d) subjecting the mixture in the reaction vessel to conditions effective to bring about sugar crystallisation in the mixture; and e) drying the mixture so as to form chocolate crumb. The process is efficient in that initial evaporation of excess liquid takes place in the same vessel used for mixing and processing the constituents of the crumb. In one embodiment all of the steps a to e take place in a single reaction vessel.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing chocolate crumb. A milk and sugar mixture is provided, or milk and sugar are mixed together so as to form a mixture, and the mixture is modified so that the total solids are present in the range of 75% to 90% of the mixture. During the process of mixing and/or modifying the mixture, cocoa mass/liquor is added to the mixture. The mixture is then subjected to conditions effective to bring about sugar crystallisation in the mixture, and dried so as to form chocolate crumb.