Cocoa paste serves as the fundamental ingredient for producing chocolate, cocoa beverages, and various desserts.
So, what equipment comprises a complete cocoa paste production line? How do these machines work together to transform hard cocoa beans into smooth, rich cocoa paste?
Cocoa bean roaster
Cocoa beans undergo roasting before processing, a critical step determining the flavor profile of cocoa paste.
By controlling temperature and time, the cocoa bean roaster evaporates internal moisture and releases aromatic compounds.
Equipment features:
- Precise temperature control: automatic constant-temperature system (120–150°C) prevents over-roasting.
- Tumbler design: ensures even tumbling to avoid localized scorching.
- Energy-efficient operation: supports electric or gas heating options.
Cocoa peeling machine
Roasted cocoa beans require hull removal to obtain cocoa nibs.
The Cocoa Peeling Machine rapidly separates shells from nibs using air classification and friction principles.
Equipment features:
- Automatic grading system: achieves up to 98% shell-to-nib separation efficiency.
- Airflow adjustment function: adaptable to varying bean sizes.
- Stainless steel construction: complies with food hygiene standards.
Cocoa bean grinder
After being de-shelled, cocoa nibs enter the Cocoa Grinder for fine grinding.
This equipment grinds cocoa nibs into a uniform, smooth, fluid cocoa paste, serving as the core of the entire production line.
Equipment features:
- Two-stage grinding structure: coarse grinding + fine grinding for finer paste output.
- Continuous production: the automatic circulation system ensures uniform discharge.
- Paste fineness: achievable up to 200 mesh.
- Integrated cooling system: prevents cocoa butter separation at high temperatures, preserving flavor.
Storage tank
Ground cocoa paste is temporarily stored in stainless steel storage tanks for filling or further processing.
Equipment features:
- Double-walled construction: inner layer provides insulation, outer layer prevents condensation.
- Automatic stirring system: prevents fat separation and sedimentation.
- Temperature-controlled design: ensures paste fluidity.
Different production capacity configurations for cocoa paste production lines
Factories of different scales have varying requirements for the configuration and automation level of cocoa paste production lines.
Taking Taizy’s cocoa paste production line as an example, we generally categorize production lines into three types:
Small-scale cocoa paste production line (50–200kg/h)
Target audience:
Startups, small chocolate workshops, and home-based production. Equipment includes: roaster, dehusker, small colloid mill, and paste storage tank.
Configuration features:
- Compact structure with minimal footprint.
- Semi-automatic control for easy operation.
- Low investment cost and short payback period.
Key advantages:
Ideal for trial production and product development, especially suited for entrepreneurs entering the artisanal chocolate and premium dessert markets.
Medium-scale cocoa mass production line (300–800kg/h)
Suitable for: medium-sized food processing plants, beverage manufacturers.
Configuration features:
- Fully automated control system (PLC + touchscreen operation).
- Two-stage grinding system (coarse grinding + fine grinding), achieving 200 mesh fineness.
- Optional equipment: heated storage tanks, automatic conveying system.
- Enables continuous production, reducing labor requirements.
Key advantages:
Balancing output and quality to meet mid-scale market demands, this represents the most cost-effective production line solution.
Large-scale cocoa paste processing plant (1000–2000kg/h)
Target audience: large chocolate manufacturers, export processing enterprises, and food conglomerates.
Configuration features:
- Automatic feeding, roasting, hulling, and continuous grinding systems.
- Equipped with automated temperature control and cooling systems to ensure consistent flavor.
- Fully compatible with filling, mixing, and flavoring systems for integrated production.
Key advantages:
- Continuous production, energy-efficient, and high-performance.
- High output with enhanced efficiency.
Summary
Whether you’re a newcomer to the cocoa processing industry or an established business expanding production capacity, we offer cocoa paste production line solutions ranging from 50kg/h to 2000kg/h.
If you’re interested in our production lines, please contact us for more detailed information.