Due to the importance of the fermentation and drying stages in the sensory characteristics and in the phenolic content of cocoa products, the present study was carried out to evaluate the influence of the fermentation period and the type of drying of cocoa seeds, on the phenolic compounds content, as well as on the physical, physicochemical, and sensorial characteristics of the products. The periods of fermentation were 3 and 7 days and the fermented beans were dried naturally (sun drying) and artificially (under air circulation at 35 °C). The total phenolic compounds, flavan-3-ols and procyanidins content were quantified during fermentation and after drying. It was observed that most of the phenolic compounds were lost during the fermentation, and the beans that fermented for 3 days had higher levels of phenolic compounds. However, a significant loss in the sensorial quality was observed. The natural drying provided higher retention of phenols and the best sensorial results in comparison with artificial drying. The sensory evaluation, performed with a drink formulated with the liquor obtained from different treatments, showed that the product that fermented for 7 days presented the best sensorial notes, and the product dried naturally was considered the best among the others.
polyphenols; Theobroma cacao L.; procyanidins; flavan-3-ols
