Fermentation is essential for rapid reduction of the beans’ ability to germinate
and to develop the flavour and aroma precursors of the chocolate.
The freshly extracted beans are placed on banana leaves (or cocoyam
leaves) inside baskets, wooden boxes, clean fermentation tanks or on the
ground in the fermentation area and under shelter. The beans are then
covered with leaves and left to ferment for 4 – 7 days. Every other day
(2nd and 4th day), stir them around and check the humidity.
The beans then change colour (from white/mauve to brown). The inside
is light brown or reddish. Well-fermented beans have a shiny appearance,
without mould and their cotyledons break easily. They release a chocolate
aroma.