I received a reply today. Pasted below. i also paste the abstract from the article cited above.
=======================
Thanks for the interest.
Our cacao beans have always been
partially fermented. By this we mean our
beans sit for a few days in their natural pods that have moisture. They
naturally ferment in their own moisture. After this the beans are dried at
low temperatures. This process will bring out a more chocolate flavor and
alleviate some of the bitterness.
Other companies soak their beans in water and let them ferment even more.
One other possibility is the that they use an alkalizing agent. This is
known as the Dutch Process.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Cahill Walsh
9 Pamaron Way, Suite J
Novato, CA 94949
P: 888.645.4282
F: 415.883.1083
E: cahill@navitasnaturals.com
W: www.navitasnaturals.com
=====================
"Low molecular weight flavan-3-ols are thought to be responsible, in part, for the cardiovascular benefits associated with cocoa powder and dark chocolate. The levels of epicatechin and catechin were determined in raw and conventionally fermented cacao beans and during conventional processing, which included drying, roasting, and Dutch (alkali) processing. Unripe cacao beans had 29% higher levels of epicatechin and the same level of catechin compared to fully ripe beans. Drying had minimal effect on the epicatechin and catechin levels. Substantial decreases (>80%) in catechin and epicatechin levels were observed in fermented versus unfermented beans. When both Ivory Coast and Papua New Guinea beans were subjected to roasting under controlled conditions, there was a distinct loss of epicatechin when bean temperatures exceeded 70 °C. When cacao beans were roasted to 120 °C, the catechin level in beans increased by 696% in unfermented beans, by 650% in Ivory Coast beans, and by 640% in Papua New Guinea fermented beans compared to the same unroasted beans. These results suggest that roasting in excess of 70 °C generates significant amounts of (−)-catechin, probably due to epimerization of (−)-epicatechin. Compared to natural cocoa powders, Dutch processing caused a loss in both epicatechin (up to 98%) and catechin (up to 80%). The epicatechin/catechin ratio is proposed as a useful and sensitive indicator for the processing history of cacao beans."
Edited by X100, 02 November 2010 - 05:33 AM.