Infrared pre-treatment for cocoa beans
In cocoa processing, achieving optimal separation of nibs from shells is a common challenge. Uneven moisture content can complicate this process, leading to inefficiencies and quality issues. A precise pre-treatment before separation can mitigate these problems.
Uniformly prepare cocoa beans for shell-nib separation
The LAB IR by Bühler is an advanced infrared pre-treatment system specifically designed for cocoa beans. Utilizing a precise infrared heating mechanism, the LAB IR maintains constant moisture content in the cocoa nibs, which prevents the generation of fines and promotes effective shell separation. The system’s low penetration depth avoids early roasting effects, ensuring product quality. An integrated water spraying system adjusts the moisture content of the beans, making it suitable for even the most challenging cocoa with high shell content. The LAB IR’s insulated rotating drum with a conveying spiral and deflector pins ensures homogeneous product flow, while a closed construction and aspiration system protect both product and operator from contamination.
Benefits
- Maximizes yield by keeping nib moisture consistent
- Prevents early roasting effects to maintain product quality
- Integrated water spraying system improves treatment efficiency
- Homogeneous product flow due to intentional drum design
- Safe and hygienic operation with a closed construction