Industrial Mixers
PerMix Applications
In the world of food and nutraceutical manufacturing, cocoa powder is more than just a flavoring — it’s a functional, nutritional, and sensory-critical ingredient. Whether you’re producing natural cocoa, Dutch-process cocoa, or ultra-dark black cocoa, precision matters. Manufacturers must meet rigorous standards for microbial safety, consistent pH, color control, and shelf stability.
Traditionally, these outcomes required multiple machines: a pasteurizer, alkalization tank, dryer, and sometimes even additional color development chambers. But now, with the PerMix Vacuum Paddle Mixer/Dryer, manufacturers can consolidate every step of cocoa processing into a single, sealed, high-efficiency system — with repeatable, programmable results.
The PerMix Vacuum Paddle Mixer/Dryer is a versatile, jacketed mixing vessel with paddle-style agitation, designed for thermal processing, drying, and chemical treatment of powders. Its key features include:
This unit is ideal for the sanitization, alkalization, color tuning, and drying of cocoa powder — all in one closed system.
Sanitizing cocoa powder is critical to prevent microbial risks such as Salmonella, E. coli, and molds. However, cocoa is sensitive to heat, and overexposure can degrade flavor and aroma.
Using vacuum, PerMix allows pasteurization at lower temperatures (80–100°C) by reducing the boiling point of water. This results in effective microbial kill without impacting delicate volatile compounds.
✔ Even heat distribution via jacketed design
✔ Vacuum pulls moisture to speed up microbial kill
✔ No hotspots thanks to continuous paddle agitation
Alkalization, or Dutch-processing, involves raising the pH of cocoa using liquid alkali agents such as:
PerMix’s liquid injection system allows alkali to be introduced under vacuum, improving penetration and dispersion. Optional choppers break down any clumps that form during the reaction. You can precisely adjust the cocoa’s pH to control flavor, solubility, and color.
Typical pH targets:
Color is a major sensory factor in cocoa-based products. PerMix allows manufacturers to control cocoa color via:
Whether you’re producing light brown, rich dark, reddish, or jet black cocoa, the PerMix system provides repeatable, batch-to-batch consistency.
Black cocoa powder is known for its ultra-dark appearance and smooth, neutral flavor. It’s essential in cookies like Oreos™, premium brownies, and protein-enriched snacks.
To make black cocoa, you must:
PerMix’s sealed vacuum mixer allows this process to occur uniformly and efficiently, preventing issues like color banding, overdrying, or loss of flavor.
After alkalization and color development, excess moisture must be removed to prevent caking, microbial growth, or loss of free-flowing characteristics.
The PerMix vacuum system:
This makes the cocoa shelf-stable and easy to handle downstream — whether it’s going to packaging, blending, or extrusion lines.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Single-Vessel System | Reduces cross-contamination and cleaning time |
| Vacuum Sanitization | Effective at low temperatures, flavor-safe |
| Integrated pH Control | Dutch cocoa & black cocoa in one programmable system |
| Color Control | Precise tuning from light brown to jet black |
| Efficient Drying | Fast, gentle, and uniform drying |
| Automation Ready | PLC/HMI with recipe memory & alarms |
| Food-Grade Design | CIP, sanitary welds, FDA/3A compatible |
Whether you are producing classic alkalized cocoa, vibrant red cocoa, or deep black cocoa, the PerMix Vacuum Paddle Mixer/Dryer gives you total control of the process — from pasteurization to pH adjustment, color development, and drying.
The result?
🔹 Superior product quality
🔹 Lower cost of production
🔹 Higher yields
🔹 Consistent results every batch
Upgrade your cocoa powder production with the PerMix Advantage.
Contact PerMix Americas today for a demo or quote.
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