What You Need to Know
Fermentation of cacao beans in banana leaves or wooden vats lowers pH to 4.5–5.0, activating enzymatic hydrolysis of theobromine and flavan‑3‑ols. Roasting at 120–150 °C for 30–45 min initiates the Maillard reaction, generating melanoidins and reducing bitterness. Stone grinding shears cacao butter from the paste, enabling natural emulsification with water and maize flour, while controlled heating of the beverage at 60–70 °C preserves volatile aromatics and inhibits microbial growth.
The Science
Primary Reaction
Biological fermentation of cacao beans followed by thermal Maillard reaction during roasting