Pisoteio do cacau na secagem em “barcaça”.

Abstract

The sun (natural) drying of cacao beans on a wood platform supported by pillars, with a movable roof, called “barcaça”, is commun, in the South Region of Bahia, eventhough climatic conditions are not favourable to this type of drying; this causes the occurrence of surface mold and determines the frequent use so-called dancing or polishing operation. This work aims to characterize this operation througt a series of trials, carried out along four years. The results gave interesting mean values of the danging, showed the variability of the parameters involved, that are successfully controlled by experienced personal as well as the relevant cost of such operation.