ISSN: 2574-2701
Authors: Pérez E*
By consensus, all Venezuelan cocoas are the unique and unparalleled cocoa type that yields intense and distinct flavors, exclusively grown in Venezuelan plantations. Therefore, Venezuelan cocoas are considered fine-flavored cocoas. From a genetic point of view, these cocoas belong to the Criollo and hybrid (Criollo modern) types. Patanemo is located in Carabobo State, Venezuela. The cocoa plantations of Patanemo are within the San Esteban National Park, which is typified as a tropical rainforest. The rainforest is the ideal clime to produce cocoas. Despite, the cocoa from Patanemo is an internationally recognized fine-flavored valuable commodity, information regarding cocoa from this region is scarce. Therefore, the goal is the chemical and physical characterization of cacaos beans from Patanemo, once they have been treated with post-harvest procedures (harvested, selected, fermented, and dried) for national commercialization, and exportation. Representative samples of cocoas fruits from Patanemo plantations, and its beans; once applied the postharvest treatment, were analyzed according to their morphologic characteristic, proximate composition, chemical (polyphenol, cadmium concentration), antioxidant capacity, and physical characteristics (bean index, dimensions, and fermentation percent) using the methodologies approved by national and international norms, and official methods. It also analyzed the sensorial properties of the cacao beans, and cocoa paste (liquor). Data reveals that Patanemo cocoas are an ideal commodity to produce derivatives with high quality, and the industry could benefit from the proposed research here approach to accurately determine the grade of quality of cocoas.
Keywords: Cocoa; Patanemo Cocoa; Chemical Composition; Cut Test; Cadmium; Sensory Quality
