Quality Characteristics of Cocoa Beans (Theobroma cacao L.) from Different Clones at PT. Ebier Suth Cokran Based on SNI 2323:2008/Amd.1:2010

Abstract

Cocoa is a strategic plantation commodity and one of the major contributors to Indonesia's foreign exchange earnings. Although the cocoa export reference price has increased, cocoa prices at the farm level have remained stagnant or even declined. This decline is presumed to be associated with the low quality of cocoa beans resulting from inadequate post-harvest handling practices. In cocoa bean trade, quality requirements have been established by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI 2323:2008/Amd.1:2010) issued by the National Standardization Agency of Indonesia. This study aimed to evaluate the quality characteristics of cocoa beans from seven clones cultivated at PT. Ebier Suth Cokran based on the requirements stipulated in SNI 2323:2008/Amd.1:2010. Cocoa beans from seven clones were subjected to fermentation for seven days followed by drying for seven days. The quality parameters evaluated included bean count per 100 g, moisture content, percentage of germinated beans, moldy beans, slaty beans, and foreign matter content. The results showed that clone D had the lowest bean count, with 63 beans per 100 g, and was therefore classified as Grade AA according to the Indonesian National Standard. Based on the general requirements, all cocoa clones complied with the maximum moisture content specified in SNI 2323:2008/Amd.1:2010. Furthermore, all tested clones met the specific quality requirements concerning the percentages of germinated beans, moldy beans, slaty beans, and foreign matter. Overall, the cocoa beans produced by PT. Ebier Suth Cokran fulfilled the quality standards established in SNI 2323:2008/Amd.1:2010.