How is cocoa powder made from cocoa beans?

The production of cocoa powder begins with harvesting and fermenting cocoa beans, followed by drying, cleaning, and roasting them to develop flavor and facilitate shell removal. The beans are then cracked and winnowed to separate the shells from the nibs.123

These nibs are ground into a paste known as chocolate liquor, which contains a high percentage of cocoa butter. To create cocoa powder, this liquor is subjected to hydraulic pressing to remove a predetermined amount of the cocoa butter, resulting in a solid cocoa cake. This cake is then pulverized into the final cocoa powder.413

Depending on the desired characteristics, the cocoa may undergo different treatments:
* Natural process: The cocoa receives no alkali treatment, retaining its natural acidity and sharp flavor.5
* Dutch process: An alkalizing agent, such as potassium carbonate, is added to neutralize acids, which darkens the color and mellows the flavor.6

The remaining cocoa butter content in the final powder typically ranges from 8 to 36 percent.4