Nota sobre a possibilidade de aproveitamento de casca de cacau na fabricação de geléia

Resumo

Preliminary studies have shown that jelly can be made from cacao pod husks, which is similar in taste and colour to the more usual jelly made from the cacao bean mucilage commonly known as the "sweatings". No differences were noted for either odour or consistency, although it was found to be slightly more difficult to make jelly from the husks than from the "sweatings". There were some differences between the husk jelly made from endocarp (the scrapings from the inside of the fruit) and the exocarp (the pod shell). 

The author recommends further studies with husk jelly because of its market possibilities due to its similarity with cacao "sweatings" jelly already widely accepted by local consumers. In addition, the removal of the cacao pods from the plantations where it acts as a source of inoculum could help in reducing the incidence of Black Pod disease. The subsequent utilization of the pods might render their removal a more economic practice.