Cocoa shell is considered an industrial by-product of cocoa production that is usually underutilized or considered waste, and is mainly used as fuel for boilers (Arlorio et al., 2005, El-Saied et al., 1981, Fowler, 2009), although there are applications in animal feed and fertilizer preparation (Ntiamoah and Afrane, 2008, Prasad et al., 2004).
What are cocoa beans shells used for?
The shells of cocoa beans are often used as mulch and soil conditioner for gardens. Unlike typical mulch made from shredded bark or wood chips, its production reuses a waste product that might otherwise be thrown away.
What can we learn from the cocoa shell?
It is rich in protein, dietary fiber, and ash, as well as in some other valuable bioactive compounds, such as methylxanthines and phenolics. This paper gives an overview of published results related to the cocoa shell, mostly on important bioactive compounds and possible applications of the cocoa shell in different areas.
What are the benefits of cocoa shell mulch?
The roasting process sterilizes the shells so that they are weed free and organic. Many gardeners enjoy the sweet smell and attractive appearance of cocoa shell mulch. There are several cocoa mulch benefits to using cocoa hulls in the garden.
What are the benefits of using cocoa hulls in the garden?
There are several cocoa mulch benefits to using cocoa hulls in the garden. Organic cocoa mulch, which contains nitrogen, phosphate, and potash and has a pH of 5.8, adds beneficial nutrients to the soil.
Waste-to-Energy and Productivity Gains
The biomass boiler fueled with cocoa shells generates part of the steam required for the factory’s industrial processes.
Collaboration and Integrated Delivery: Keys to Success
The Barry Callebaut factory has its own engineering team that is well versed in project management. “We’re very knowledgeable about machines that make chocolate, less so about biomass boilers.
Prioritizing Performance
Barry Callebaut’s engineering team had clear project specifications and requirements: the installation of a biomass boiler calibrated to burn cocoa shells, and respecting numerous technical constraints related to the industrial process.
How is cacao bean shell made?
We air roast our cacao beans for producing chocolate and produce a lot of these shells which by regulation should not be used in the chocolate. The shell separates from the bean upon roasting. The roasting process sterilizes the shells so that they are weed free and remain organic.
Benefits of using cocoa bean shell for gardening
Using cocoa hulls in the garden is an excellent way to increase soil vitality and is an attractive top cover for both flower beds and vegetable patches. It helps reduce weeds and conserve water. Cocoa bean hulls also help retain moisture in garden beds and reduce weeds organically, eliminating the need for chemical-laden herbicides.
How to use cocoa bean shells while home gardening
Cocoa bean shells are used to provide a top cover. You should target your cocoa bean mulch use on the part of your garden that receives the most sunlight. Although the shells are sterile from the manufacturing processes, mold occurs across the mulch if it remains wet for most of the day.
Cocoa Bean Production
Although cocoa beans are harvested year-round, harvest typically occurs from October to February and from May to August. Once the seed pods have ripened, the beans and surrounding pulp are removed and drained. The pulp is then fermented for several days, dried, then packed for shipment.
Indulgent Chocolate
CNBC reports that almost 18 percent of the world's chocolate is consumed by Americans. It's found in different varieties such as baking, bittersweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate and liquid chocolate. These products are used to make chocolate milk, cakes, chocolate bars, chips and other confections. It's one of our oldest and most beloved foods.
Types of Chocolate
Cocoa powder is unsweetened unless it's part of a hot chocolate mix. Don't substitute the instant cocoa mix for unsweetened cocoa powder. Cocoa powder is used to make cakes, brownies or to coat pans instead of flour when baking before adding batter. You may also add it to your oatmeal for a flavor kick.
Other Edible Types of Chocolate
The pectin used in jams, jellies, preserves, and marmalades is extracted from the pulp juice of the cocoa bean along with alcohol. It's then distilled and recycled and undergoes additional extraction. Pectin, a water-soluble substance, is used to thicken dishes.
Cocoa Extract
Cocoa extract is a dietary supplement that's derived from the cacao bean, and according to the National Cancer Institute, its flavonoids have anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, cognition-enhancing and chemopreventive properties.
Other Uses for Cocoa Beans
Animal feed for poultry and pigs is sometimes produced using 100 percent cocoa pod husks, which are the waste products created during cocoa processing. The husks are sliced into flakes and then partially dried.
Cocoa vs. Cacao Powder
Though the terms cocoa and cacoa powder are often used interchangeably, differences exist. Many experts use "cacao" for the pods, beans and ground-up contents of the beans, and calling the powder left after the fat is pressed out of the ground beans "cocoa."
1. Repurposed material
Unlike mulch made from wood chips and shredded bark, spreading cocoa shell mulch across your garden reuses a product that would otherwise get discarded.
2. Scrumptious smell
You can’t say this about any other mulch. Freshly applied cocoa smell mulch leaves your garden with the lingering smell of chocolate. It’s ah-mazing. You can especially smell the chocolatey scent after a good rain or when the sun hits your garden. The aroma should last for several weeks, if not longer.
3. Eye-catching look
Any mulch spruces up the look of a garden. It ties different areas together and you can even use mulch to create sections or separate spaces. Cocoa shell mulch has an especially glamorous look compared to most mulch. Its deep brown color resembles soil and sets off plants nicely. Plus, it won’t bleach out. The color only darkens with age.
4. Weeds be gone
Forget trying to keep up with the weeds in your garden. Those things are pesky! Cocoa shell mulch suppresses weeds from growing, so you don’t have to weed as often. After you water the mulch, the cocoa shells (which resemble flakes) bind together to form a loosely knit structure. This binding slows weeds from popping up.
5. Food for plants
Cocoa shell mulch will break down slowly over time. As it decomposes, the mulch will add nutrients, including protein and nitrogen, to the soil. Some mulch made from bark actually takes nitrogen out of the soil, but cocoa shell mulch gives it back! Such a friendly mulch.
6. Reduces water loss
Lazy gardeners rejoice! Cocoa shell mulch helps your plants retain water, which means you’ll spend less time watering them. (And you’ll save on the water bill.) Besides that, cocoa shell mulch also insulates plants, which keeps them cool on hot days and warm on chilly ones.
7. Brings in the good critters
Cocoa shell mulch encourages earthworms to hang around (or really, under) your garden. You want these critters in your soil because they aerate the soil and release nutrients into it. Basically, they work as little natural fertilizers.
