What small pieces of cocoa beans are produced during the refining process of chocolate?

The small pieces of cocoa beans produced during the refining process of chocolate are known as nibs. During chocolate production, cocoa beans are fermented, dried, roasted, and then cracked open to separate the outer shell from the inner part. The inner part, which is edible, is referred to as the nibs. These nibs contain both the cocoa solids and cocoa butter and are a crucial ingredient in chocolate making, as they are the principal source of flavor and aroma in the final product.

Nibs can be further processed to create cocoa powder and cocoa butter, but at the specific stage of simply breaking down the beans, the result is the nibs themselves. Understanding this process is fundamental in chocolate production, as each component has its own role and properties, contributing to the overall quality and characteristics of chocolate.