Home chocolate project day 2 – Fermentation begins

Well at least I hope that fermentation begins!

I’ve now moved the beans into the sieve as in the photos below. Based on advice from the forum that I might not have enough beans from just one pod to create enough heat to ‘kill’ the beans, I’ve tried to keep them covered and tight on the top, while giving them room to drain and breath underneath. I’m also checking them frequently and applying tender loving care, plus I hope enough heat from the kitchen. It’s hard to keep the heat constant though, so this may have a negative effect.

Here’s my new setup:

The beans are beginning to look a little like they are fermenting, but I guess the next day or so will really tell.

Comment on this subject in the forum at http://www.seventypercent.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1035