Scientific research

A survey of 56 cocoa farms in Ghana was carried out during the 1986 main crop to assess the influence of fermentation practices (post-harvest pod storage, cultivar, weight of ferments, number of turns and timing, drying) on quality. Variations in the frequency of turning of the ferments was noted with cocoa-producing region and cultivar. Sensory evaluation of chocolate samples made from the cocoa beans indicated that a short pod-storage and fermentation with a single turn after three days produced the most acceptable cocoa. The acceptability varied by region with the Eastern region producing the most acceptable cocoa. As with acceptability, chocolate flavour significantly improved with a short pod-storage time. A composite sample was average in terms of its sensory characteristics, supporting the concept that blending facilitates the balanced flavour characteristic of Ghana cocoa.