Physical properties of cocoa substitutes

Cocoa powder is obtained from the paste of cocoa prepared with fermented, dried, toasted, grinded, and pressed seeds (to separate cocoa butter). In the last years, there has been more offers of cocoa butter substitutes decreasing the food industry dependence but increasing the demand for cocoa powder. Moreover, in the producing leader countries, the price of cocoa sub-products is affected by the climate, pests, and political issues. Cocoa substitutes are substances that can substitute, total or partially, the cocoa powder in the formulation of different products with the purpose of reducing the final price, guaranteeing the quality in the off season, or even during a possible short availability of cocoa powder in the market. The chosen substitutes were: toasted carob powder, cupuassu powder, and cocoa seed and aroma compound. The objective of this study was to evaluate cocoa and its substitutes through the analysis of physical parameters such as compaction, density, angle of repose, sorption isotherm, particle size, wettability, and critical relative humidity). As result, the substitutes showed different physical properties from those of cocoa, which can affect the formulations in which they could be applied.