Abstract: A process of preparing a finished food product from grains includes the steps of a first step of heating the grains to pre-gelatinize the grain starch, in the absence of added water, adding flavor to the pre-heated grains to form a pre-heated grain and flavor mixture, and a second step of heating the grain and flavor mixture to fully gelatinize the grain starch and allow flavor and color development via the Maillard reaction and to formed cooked grains.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a shelf-stable processed grain product includes a series of heating and cooling stages performed on a processed grain product having a water activity value of about 0.65 or less. A first heating stage takes the grain pieces to a first elevated temperature, which is followed by a first cooling stage. The grain pieces are passed to a second heating stage to reach a second elevated temperature, followed by a second cooling stage. The grain pieces are then passed to a third heating stage, after which they are sufficiently soft and pliable for a final forming stage such as flaking, bumping, puffing, or the like. This allows grain pieces that are suitable for long term storage, but too brittle for final forming, to be softened for final forming without raising the moisture content to a point that is conducive to mold formation or reduced product quality.

Abstract: A method of preparing a shelf-stable processed grain product includes a series of heating and cooling steps performed on a processed grain product having a water activity value of about 0.65 or less. A first heating step takes the grain pieces to a first elevated temperature, which is followed by a first cooling step. The grain pieces are passed to a second heating step to reach a second elevated temperature, followed by a second cooling step. The grain pieces are then passed to a third heating step, after which they are sufficiently soft and pliable for a final forming step such as flaking, bumping, puffing, or the like. This allows grain pieces that are suitable for long term storage, but too brittle for final forming, to be softened for final forming without raising the moisture content to a point that is conducive to mold formation or reduced product quality.

Abstract: A method of preparing a shelf-stable processed grain product includes a series of heating and cooling steps performed on a processed grain product having a water activity value of about 0.65 or less. A first heating step takes the grain pieces to a first elevated temperature, which is followed by a first cooling step. The grain pieces are passed to a second heating step to reach a second elevated temperature, followed by a second cooling step. The grain pieces are then passed to a third heating step, after which they are sufficiently soft and pliable for a final forming step such as flaking, bumping, puffing, or the like. This allows grain pieces that are suitable for long term storage, but too brittle for final forming, to be softened for final forming without raising the moisture content to a point that is conducive to mold formation or reduced product quality.