Note 245 — Book 5. Appendix.

The absurdity of this process is too evident to need remark; would it not have been better, if the process had not had the sanction of the patent mark? The treatment, which the cacao here undergoes, is so barbarous, that the product must always be spoiled. The only point attained is the complete gelatinisation of the starch, which by further heating is to some extent converted into dextrin. Caramelizing cannot and will not take place by heating gelatinised starch in mixtures with a dry substance, as it occurs in cacao. But in addition, the claim is weak that cacao so mistreated would be especially suitable for diabetics, since cacao serves that purpose a great deal better. The addition of albumin every properly disintegrated is not at all new, for mixtures of albumin and cacao have existed for a very long time.—Editor’s note.