<![CDATA[Abstrak Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui pengaruh suhu dan waktu pengeringan terhadap karakteristik biji kakao hasil fermentasi serta mendapatkan kombiniasi suhu pengeringan dan masa simpan terbaik. Penelitian ini mengunakan Rancang Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan dua faktor, yaitu lama penyimpanan (7 hari dan 14 hari) dan suhu (50 oC, 60 oC, dan 70 oC). Biji kakao dipanen dan di fermentasi menggunakan kotak kayu albesia berukuran 26cm x 25cm x 23cm dengan ketebalan 2 mm selama 7 hari. Benih direndam dan dicuci dengan air mengalir setelah proses fermentasi selesai. Pengeringan dimulai dengan memasukan biji ke dalam alat dehydrator ST-02. Hasil penelitian menunjukan suhu dan waktu pengeringan berpengaruh nyata (P<0.05) terhadap parameter kadar air, kadar lemak, uji pH dan organoleptik meliputi warna, tekstur, aroma. Kombinasi perlakuan terbaik adalah pada suhu 50°C (S1) dengan waktu pengeringan 20jam dan masa simpan 7 hari (P1) menghasilkan biji kakao kering dengan karakteristik sesuai 2323:2008 biji kakao, SNI 3749:2009 lemak kakao dan hasil uji organoleptic, Kadar air 6,04%, kadar lemak 36,52%, pH 4,60, uji hedonik warna 4,13, tekstur biji 3,93, dan aroma biji 4,13. Abstract This research was conducted to determine the effect of temperature and drying time on the characteristics of fermented cocoa beans and to obtain the best combination of drying temperature and shelf life. This research used a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors :storage time (7 days and 14 days) and temperature (50°C, 60°C, and 70°C). Cocoa beans are harvested and fermented using an albesia wood box measuring 26cm x 25cm x 23cm with a thickness of 2 mm for 7 days.the seed are soaked and washed with running water arter the fermentation process in complete. Drying begins by placing the seeds into the ST-02 dehydrator.. The research results showed that temperature and drying time had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the parameters of water content, fat content,pH, organoleptic tests including color, texture, aroma. The best treatment combination is at a temperature of 50°C (S1) with a drying time of 20 hours and a storage period of 7 days (P1) to produce dry cocoa beans with characteristics according to 2323:2008 cocoa beans, SNI 3749:2009 cocoa butter and organoleptic test results. water content 6.04%, fat content 36.52%, pH 4.60, color hedonic test 4.13, seed texture 3.93, and seed aroma 4.13.]]>
