The best chocolates, oreos, cakes, queen cakes, toppings and ice creams are usually made more resplendent (eye-catchy, attractive, better to see) with the addition of rich deep brown chocolate liquid.
The source of the liquid is good old cocoa powder, the de-fatted residue of cocoa beans. In its more natural state, cocoa powder is a light brown and almost bitter-to the taste product, with a pleasant aroma of chocolate. The aroma is a due to residual butter content contained in the cocoa powder.
What does it mean to alkalise cocoa powder?
Many users of cocoa powder prefer a deeper rich brown color, as a complement for the products they make using this cocoa powder. This deep rich brown color, however, is not the natural color of cocoa powder. In addition, the natural cocoa powder tends to have a sharp or bitter taste, which is due to its natural acidic nature. Most users prefer a lower sharp taste (less bitterness) of the cocoa powder.
To achieve the above aesthetic qualities, manufacturers of cocoa powder find it necessary to add an alkaline compound into the cocoa powder. Compounds, such as potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃), presents an optimal alkalising agent, which has been known to improve the two qualities at a rate of application as low as 30gms added to every 1 kg of cocoa powder.
The amount of alkalising ingredient used tends to increase the color tone of the powder, while altering (or making duller) the bitter taste, and at the same time muting the chocolatey aroma associated with natural cocoa powder. If later it becomes necessary to restore the chocolatey aroma, a user of alkalised cocoa powder would have to add some natural cocoa butter as a sub-ingredient.
In conclusion, different product types work for different markets and users. The need for natural cocoa powder is just as much as the need for alkalised types. What is important is for the user to be aware of the impact that alkalising cocoa powder, expecially in elevated amounts (>5%) on the sensory characteristics of cocoa powder such as aroma.
At Aadrea Essential Oils SMC Ltd, we provide you the options, for you to choose from. We manufacture natural un-alkalinised cocoa powder, and keep it ready for market, in its raw form. We are able to alkalise or alkalinise it to suit preferences of users, at a moment’s notice.
