Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for cooking or gelatinizing a material in an atomized state, so that there is obtained an easily dryable, uniform and finely-sized product. The material which is to be cooked is injected through an atomization aperture in a nozzle assembly to form a relatively finely-sized spray. A heating medium is also injected through an aperture in the nozzle assembly into the spray of atomized material so as to heat the material to a temperature effective to cook or gelatinize the material. An enclosed chamber surrounds the atomization and heating medium injection apertures, and defines a vent aperture positioned to enable the heated spray of material to exit the chamber. The arrangement is such that the elapsed time between passage of the spray of material through the chamber, i.e., from the atomization aperture and through the vent aperture, defines the cooking or gelatinization time of the material.

Abstract: A process for producing a pudding with a specified starch particle size distribution is disclosed. As a result of this process, a very uniform, fine starch particle distribution is produced.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for cooking or gelatinizng a material in an atomized state, so that there is obtained an easily dryable, uniform and finely-sized product. The material which is to be cooked is injected through an atomization aperture in a nozzle assembly to form a relatively finely-sized spray. A heating medium is also injected through an aperture in the nozzle assembly into the spray of atomized material so as to heat the material to a temperature effective to cook or gelatinize the material. An enclosed chamber surrounds the atomization and heating medium injection apertures, and defines a vent aperture positioned to enable the heated spray of material to exit the chamber. The arrangement is such that the elapsed time between passage of the spray of material through the chamber, i.e., from the atomization aperture and through the vent aperture, defines the cooking or gelatinization time of the material.

Abstract: A pregelatinized starch product suitable for use in instant puddings is prepared by a process which comprises drum drying a slurry containing an ungelatinized starch in water with a protein and an emulsifier. Preferably the protein is sodium caseinate and the emulsifier is polysorbate 60. The resultant starch is especially suited for instant pudding in that it possesses an excellent texture, creaminess, and mouth release effect, but without the necessity of any chemical modification of the starch molecule.