VORTECH provides cocoa processing equipment for converting cocoa pods, cocoa beans, cocoa nibs, and cocoa cake into cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder. From individual machines to complete cocoa processing plants, we can configure the production line according to your raw material, required capacity, target product, automation level, and available factory space. Complete Cocoa Processing Solutions Flexible Production Capacity Food-Grade Processing Design Custom Equipment Configuration Complete Equipment for Cocoa Processing Plant A cocoa processing plant normally combines several operations rather than relying on a single machine. Depending on the starting material and final product, the line can include pod opening, drying, roasting, shell removal, grinding, butter pressing, cake crushing, and powder milling. VORTECH can configure these sections as individual processing units or integrate them into one continuous cocoa production line. Cocoa Pod Opening Section For factories processing fresh harvested cocoa pods, pod opening is the first stage of production. This section opens cocoa pods and helps separate the beans from the outer shell, preparing the raw material for fermentation, drying, and subsequent processing. Cocoa Pod Breaking Machine The cocoa pod breaking machine provides a faster alternative to manual pod opening for commercial cocoa processing. Main Functions: Opens cocoa pods continuously Reduces manual handling Supports efficient bean separation Suitable for different processing capacities Cocoa Bean Drying & Roasting Section Before grinding, cocoa beans normally require controlled drying and roasting. Drying reduces moisture and improves storage stability, while roasting develops the characteristic cocoa aroma and prepares the beans for shell removal and grinding. Main Equipment Cocoa Bean Drying Machine Cocoa Bean Roasting Machine Cooling Equipment Material Conveying System Cocoa Bean Drying Machine The cocoa bean drying machine removes excess moisture from fermented or wet cocoa beans under controlled processing conditions. Stable drying helps prepare the beans for storage and roasting while reducing problems caused by excessive moisture. Suitable For Fresh fermented cocoa beans Small cocoa processing plants Industrial cocoa production Pre-roasting moisture control Cocoa Bean Roasting Machine The cocoa bean roasting machine heats cocoa beans evenly before peeling and grinding. Roasting conditions can be adjusted according to bean characteristics, production capacity, and the flavor profile required for downstream cocoa products. Processing Advantages Uniform bean heating Adjustable roasting conditions Continuous or batch configurations Easy integration with downstream equipment   Cocoa Bean Peeling Section After roasting and cooling, cocoa beans enter the shell removal stage. The purpose of this section is to separate the outer cocoa shell from the nib, producing cleaner cocoa nibs for grinding. Cocoa Bean Peeling Machine The cocoa bean peeling machine combines breaking, shell separation, and material classification according to the required processing configuration. It helps reduce shell contamination in the cocoa nibs and improves the stability of subsequent grinding. Main Features Efficient shell separation Stable nib recovery Adjustable processing capacity Suitable for continuous production Cocoa Nib Grinding Section Cocoa nibs must be finely ground before cocoa butter can be separated. During grinding, the cocoa nib structure is broken down and converted into cocoa liquor or cocoa paste, which becomes the intermediate material for cocoa butter, cocoa cake, chocolate, and other cocoa products. Required Equipment Cocoa Nib Grinder Cocoa Liquor Grinding Machine Storage Tank Transfer Pump Cocoa Grinder Machine The cocoa grinder reduces roasted cocoa nibs into a smooth cocoa liquor. Different grinding configurations can be selected according to the required particle size, processing capacity, and downstream production requirements. Applications Cocoa liquor production Cocoa paste production Chocolate processing Cocoa butter production Cocoa Butter Pressing Section For cocoa powder production, part of the cocoa butter must be separated from the cocoa liquor. A cocoa butter press applies pressure to the cocoa liquor, producing liquid cocoa butter and solid cocoa cake for further processing. Cocoa Butter Press Machine The cocoa butter press machine is designed for commercial separation of cocoa butter from cocoa liquor. The pressing parameters can be configured according to processing capacity and the desired characteristics of the cocoa cake. Output Products Cocoa Butter Can be collected for chocolate, confectionery, food, cosmetic, and other downstream processing. Cocoa Cake Used as the raw material for cocoa cake breaking and cocoa powder grinding. Cocoa Cake Crushing & Powder Grinding Section Pressed cocoa cake is normally too large and compact to feed directly into a fine grinding system. It first needs to be broken into smaller pieces and then processed into cocoa powder with the required particle size. Required Equipment Cocoa Cake Breaking Machine Cocoa Powder Grinding Machine Powder Sieving Machine Powder Collecting System Cocoa Cake Breaking Machine The cocoa cake breaking machine reduces compressed cocoa cake into smaller and more uniform particles. This makes material feeding more stable and reduces the processing load placed on the downstream grinder. Benefits Uniform material feeding Reduced large cake pieces Easier downstream grinding Suitable for continuous processing Cocoa Powder Grinding Machine The cocoa powder grinding machine processes broken cocoa cake into fine and uniform cocoa powder. Grinding equipment can be selected according to required fineness, hourly capacity, powder characteristics, and final application. Suitable Products Natural cocoa powder Alkalized cocoa powder Beverage cocoa powder Bakery cocoa ingredients Chocolate ingredients Industrial cocoa powder Planning a Cocoa Powder Processing Plant? Every cocoa processing project has different requirements. Before configuring your equipment, our engineers can evaluate several key factors: Starting raw material Required production capacity Final cocoa product Target powder fineness Available workshop dimensions Utility conditions Automation requirements Packaging specifications Based on these parameters, VORTECH can recommend suitable equipment and design the processing sequence for your plant. Cocoa Powder Line Customized by Fineness Different downstream applications require different cocoa powder particle sizes. The grinding and classification section can therefore be configured according to the required fineness. The existing VORTECH page currently divides powder requirements from relatively coarse industrial powder through standard and fine grades to ultra-fine applications. Cocoa Powder Grade Typical Fineness Typical Applications Coarse Powder 60–100 mesh Industrial ingredients, further processing Standard Powder 100–200 mesh Bakery, chocolate, general food processing Fine Powder 200–300 mesh Beverage mixes, instant powders Ultra-Fine Powder 300+ mesh Fine formulations and specialty applications