Cocoa powder compositions

Abstract

A cocoa powder with improved dispersibility.

1 . A cocoa powder product, comprising a pregelatinized cocoa powder. 
     
     
         2 . The product according to  claim 1 , wherein the pregelatinized cocoa powder has an average wettability time, in cold liquids, of 120 seconds or less. 
     
     
         3 . The product according to  claim 1 , wherein the pregelatinized cocoa powder has an L value of less than 20, and/or an a/b ratio of 0.90 to 1.75. 
     
     
         4 . The product according to  claim 1 , wherein the pregelatinized cocoa powder has an ash content of less than 12% by weight on dry matter and/or less than 14% by weight on fat-free dry matter. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The product according to  claim 1 , further comprising sugar. 
     
     
         7 . The product according to  claim 6 , wherein at least part of the cocoa powder and sugar are agglomerated. 
     
     
         8 . The product according to  claim 6 , wherein the cocoa powder and sugar are present in a weight ratio of 1:9 to 9:1. 
     
     
         9 . The product according to  claim 7 , having an average wettability time, in cold liquids, of 30 seconds or less. 
     
     
         10 . A food or beverage composition comprising the cocoa powder product of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method of improving the dispersibility of a cocoa powder comprising the steps of:
 a. mixing a cocoa powder and/or a cocoa cake with a liquid to form a slurry;   b. subjecting the slurry to a pregelatinization step; and   c. recovering a pregelatinized cocoa powder.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the slurry has a dry substance of 20-35%. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the pregelatinization step comprises roll-drying the slurry. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of agglomerating the pregelatinized cocoa powder with sugar. 
     
     
         16 . The product according to  claim 6 , wherein the cocoa powder and sugar are present in a weight ratio of 2:8 to 8:2.