Microwave Roasting as an Alternative to Convection Roasting: Sensory Analysis and Physical Characterization of Dark Chocolate

Roasting cocoa beans by means of microwave radiations seems to be a potential alternative to convection roasting, but little is known about the impact of this method on the perceived flavor profile of the chocolate. Therefore, this research focused on revealing the flavor perception of chocolate pro...

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Main Authors: Joachim J. Schouteten, Valérie Lemarcq, Davy Van de Walle, Eleni Sioriki, Koen Dewettinck
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-02-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/4/887
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author Joachim J. Schouteten
Valérie Lemarcq
Davy Van de Walle
Eleni Sioriki
Koen Dewettinck
author_facet Joachim J. Schouteten
Valérie Lemarcq
Davy Van de Walle
Eleni Sioriki
Koen Dewettinck
author_sort Joachim J. Schouteten
collection DOAJ
description Roasting cocoa beans by means of microwave radiations seems to be a potential alternative to convection roasting, but little is known about the impact of this method on the perceived flavor profile of the chocolate. Therefore, this research focused on revealing the flavor perception of chocolate produced with microwave roasted cocoa beans assessed by both a trained panel and chocolate consumers. Samples of 70% dark chocolate produced from cocoa beans microwave roasted at 600 W for 35 min were compared with samples of 70% dark chocolate produced from cocoa beans convectively roasted at 130 °C for 30 min. Non-significant differences (<i>p</i> > 0.05) in the measured physical properties, such as color, hardness, melting, and flow behavior, showed that chocolate produced from microwave roasted cocoa beans can exhibit the same physical qualities as convection roasted chocolate. Moreover, combined discriminative triangle tests, with 27 judgements in total, performed by a trained panel, showed that each type of chocolate exhibited distinctive characteristics (d’-value = 1.62). Regarding the perceived flavor, “cocoa aroma” was cited as significantly higher for the chocolate produced from microwave roasted cocoa beans (<i>n</i> = 112) compared to chocolate produced from convection roasted cocoa beans (<i>n</i> = 100) by consumers. Both preference and willingness to buy were higher, though insignificant at a 5% level, for the microwave roasted chocolate. A final potential benefit (studied in this research) of microwave roasting cocoa beans is the reduced energy consumption, which was estimated at 75%. Taking all these results together, the microwave roasting of cocoa is shown to be a promising alternative to convection roasting.
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spelling doaj.art-9f760fb2c1444f8bb00f1373caf106b32023-11-16T20:31:55ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582023-02-0112488710.3390/foods12040887Microwave Roasting as an Alternative to Convection Roasting: Sensory Analysis and Physical Characterization of Dark ChocolateJoachim J. Schouteten0Valérie Lemarcq1Davy Van de Walle2Eleni Sioriki3Koen Dewettinck4Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, BelgiumDepartment of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Food Structure & Function Research Group (FSF), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, BelgiumDepartment of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Food Structure & Function Research Group (FSF), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, BelgiumDepartment of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Food Structure & Function Research Group (FSF), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, BelgiumDepartment of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Food Structure & Function Research Group (FSF), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, BelgiumRoasting cocoa beans by means of microwave radiations seems to be a potential alternative to convection roasting, but little is known about the impact of this method on the perceived flavor profile of the chocolate. Therefore, this research focused on revealing the flavor perception of chocolate produced with microwave roasted cocoa beans assessed by both a trained panel and chocolate consumers. Samples of 70% dark chocolate produced from cocoa beans microwave roasted at 600 W for 35 min were compared with samples of 70% dark chocolate produced from cocoa beans convectively roasted at 130 °C for 30 min. Non-significant differences (<i>p</i> > 0.05) in the measured physical properties, such as color, hardness, melting, and flow behavior, showed that chocolate produced from microwave roasted cocoa beans can exhibit the same physical qualities as convection roasted chocolate. Moreover, combined discriminative triangle tests, with 27 judgements in total, performed by a trained panel, showed that each type of chocolate exhibited distinctive characteristics (d’-value = 1.62). Regarding the perceived flavor, “cocoa aroma” was cited as significantly higher for the chocolate produced from microwave roasted cocoa beans (<i>n</i> = 112) compared to chocolate produced from convection roasted cocoa beans (<i>n</i> = 100) by consumers. Both preference and willingness to buy were higher, though insignificant at a 5% level, for the microwave roasted chocolate. A final potential benefit (studied in this research) of microwave roasting cocoa beans is the reduced energy consumption, which was estimated at 75%. Taking all these results together, the microwave roasting of cocoa is shown to be a promising alternative to convection roasting.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/4/887roastingtrained panelconsumermicrowavepreferenceflavor
spellingShingle Joachim J. Schouteten
Valérie Lemarcq
Davy Van de Walle
Eleni Sioriki
Koen Dewettinck
Microwave Roasting as an Alternative to Convection Roasting: Sensory Analysis and Physical Characterization of Dark Chocolate
Foods
roasting
trained panel
consumer
microwave
preference
flavor
title Microwave Roasting as an Alternative to Convection Roasting: Sensory Analysis and Physical Characterization of Dark Chocolate
title_full Microwave Roasting as an Alternative to Convection Roasting: Sensory Analysis and Physical Characterization of Dark Chocolate
title_fullStr Microwave Roasting as an Alternative to Convection Roasting: Sensory Analysis and Physical Characterization of Dark Chocolate
title_full_unstemmed Microwave Roasting as an Alternative to Convection Roasting: Sensory Analysis and Physical Characterization of Dark Chocolate
title_short Microwave Roasting as an Alternative to Convection Roasting: Sensory Analysis and Physical Characterization of Dark Chocolate
title_sort microwave roasting as an alternative to convection roasting sensory analysis and physical characterization of dark chocolate
topic roasting
trained panel
consumer
microwave
preference
flavor
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/4/887
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