Chocolate & Cocoa
Cocoa Powder 22/24 in gelato
Cocoa Powder 22/24 is defatted, unsweetened cocoa retaining 22-24% cocoa butter after pressing. In gelato it is the primary flavor and color base for chocolate and stracciatella, delivering intense cocoa notes plus fat and fine insoluble solids that build body.
Balancing parameters
Per 100 g of product, verified against independent food-science sources (listed below).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Solids | 97% |
| Water | 3% |
| Sugars | 1% |
| Fat | 23% |
| MSNF | 0% |
| Protein | 20% |
| POD (sweetening power) | 1 |
| PAC (anti-freezing power) | 2 |
Typical use: 6-12% of the mix for chocolate gelato (3-6% for lighter cocoa flavoring)
Balance cocoa powder 22/24 in a real recipe
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Open the balancerHow to use it in gelato
Add cocoa powder to the hot mix so its starch hydrates and disperses fully, preventing a chalky mouthfeel. It contributes almost no PAC or POD because it carries essentially no free sugar, so it does not lower your serving temperature or add sweetness; you must rebalance sugars and PAC separately when adding it. Its 22-24% fat raises total fat while its non-fat cocoa solids act as stabilizing 'other solids' that absorb water and add body, so reduce milk fat and part of the milk powder to avoid an overly dense, gummy texture. Typical chocolate gelato uses higher cocoa loads than a subtle flavoring.
Origin & background
Defatted cocoa powder originates with Coenraad Johannes van Houten of Amsterdam, who patented a hydraulic cocoa press in 1828 that separated cocoa butter from the mass, yielding a low-fat cake that was milled into powder; he also pioneered alkalization (Dutch processing) to darken color and mellow acidity. The '22/24' grade denotes the residual fat range (22-24%), the highest-fat pressed cocoa and the standard for premium chocolate gelato.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- https://www.santabarbarachocolate.com/natural-cocoa-powder-22-24-specifications/
- https://www.recipal.com/ingredients/64569-nutrition-facts-calories-protein-carbs-fat-cocoa-powder-22-24
- https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Cocoa%2C_processed_with_alkali%2C_unsweetened%2C_dry_powder_nutritional_value.html
- https://konsonet.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Konsonet-TSS-Cocoa-22-24_KON-690-23-2.pdf