Solar drying of cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao) in St. Lucia

An indirectly heated solar drier fitted with a flat plate collector and a directly heated solar drier were compared with open air sun drying of cocoa beans under field conditions in St. Lucia. Sun drying was conducted on two surfaces, perforated steel and non perforated wood. The methods were examined for the ability to adequately dry fermented beans and effect on quality. Loading rates of 13.5, 26.9 and 40.4 kg/m$ sp2$ were examined.Temperature increases of 15$ sp circ$C and 20$ sp circ$C above ambient were achieved in the indirect and direct drier, respectively. The solar driers were more efficient than sun drying units at removing moisture throughout at loading rates of 26.9 and 40.4 kg/m$ sp2$ but only in the initial stages at 13.5 kg. External mould development was therefore reduced. Open air sun drying on the wooden surface proved more effective in the final stages at 13.5 kg/m$ sp2$.The dried beans were of similar internal quality despite faster drying in the driers. The various drying methods and loading rates produced beans of similar pH while only loading rates affected titratable acidity differently. The direct solar drier achieved lower final moisture levels at high loads and was the cheaper alternative