Production of cocoa butter equivalent from blending of illipé butter and palm mid-fraction.

Cocoa butter equivalent (CBE) was prepared from illipé butter (IB) and palm mid-fraction (PMF) blends in different wt ratios. The solid fat content (SFC), compatibility, crystallization/melting thermograms and crystal microstructure of the blends were studied. Softening occurred with IB/PMF blends due to eutectic formation and resulted in blend 75/25 (IB/PMF) exhibiting SFC profile and crystallization/melting behavior comparable to CB and hence it was selected to be used as a CBE. The CBE was fully compatible with CB and displayed similar polymorphic structure (β2) and isothermal crystallization curve to CB. When it was used to partially replace CB in chocolate (5 %wt of the finished product), the hardness, SFC and the bloom formation behavior of the chocolate were not significantly different from the chocolate made with CB. Overall, the 75/25 blend met all criteria to be considered as CBE, hence, it can be used as an alternative to commercially available CBE.