Flavor precursors chocolate flavors

A more complex flavor development occurs in the production of chocolate. The chocolate beans are first fermented to develop fewer complex flavor precursors upon roasting, these give the chocolate aroma. The beans from unfermented cocoa do not develop the chocolate notes (84—88) (see Chocolate and cocoa). The flavor development process with vanilla beans also allows for the formation of flavor precursors. The green vanilla beans, which have Htfle aroma or flavor, are scalded, removed, and allowed to perspire, which lowers the moisture content and retards the enzymatic activity. This process results in the formation of the vanilla aroma and flavor, and the dark-colored beans that after drying are the product of commerce. 

Although flavor precursors in the unroasted cocoa bean have no significant chocolate flavor themselves, they react to form highly flavored compounds. These flavor precursors include various chemical compounds such as proteins, amino acids, reducing sugars, tannins, organic acids, and many unidentified compounds. 

Fermentation facilitates separation of beans from the surronnding pulp and shell, inactivates the seeds, initiates the aromatic precursors and color development, and significantly reduces bitterness. During this stage the sucrose and proteinaceous constituents are partially hydrolyzed, any polyphenolic compounds are oxidized and glucose is converted into alcohol and then oxidized to acetic and lactic acids. Beans that have not been fermented do not develop a chocolate flavor when roasted [4],... 

Besides their general flavor forming potential peptides are also reported to be unique precursors of composite food aromas. Peptides formed in the fermentative stage of cacao processing have been linked to roast generated chocolate aroma (5). Also, a methionine rich polypeptide has been associated vith roasted peanut volatiles (15). 

---