The effect of cocoa drying process on polyphenols was studied. The least degradation of polyphenols during the process of drying was accomplished at a temperature of 40 degrees C, with a concentration of polyphenols was of 3329.76 mg Ac. Gallic/100 g dried fruit, which corresponds to a reduction of 45%; while the higher degradation of polyphenols was presented at a temperature of 60 degrees C. It was concluded that the degradation depends of temperature, moisture and dry times. These are factors which affect the irreversible oxidative processes of polyphenols and can also be affected by cellular destruction. This experimental analysis was completed with the development of a phenomenological model, which simulates the behavior of water desorption and the degradation of polyphenols. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.