Abstract: A method for producing roux comprises heating and kneading a starting material comprised of fats and oils and farinaceous materials in a twin-screw extruder at a temperature of 60.degree. to 220.degree. C. for 25 seconds to 25 minutes. This method makes it possible to obtain roux having high quality within a short period of time by a very simple process.

Abstract: A temperature sensing element comprises a heat-shrinking film and a fixing means for fixing the heat-shrinking film to an article to be monitored such as a food vessel. The element indicates that the content of the food vessel being heated by a microwave oven reached a given temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing dried rice, which is capable of allowing the cooking time to be reduced, and which allows the rice to have an appearance and a texture when cooked as excellent as rice cooked using an electric rice cooker. The method of manufacturing dried rice comprises as steps of: adjusting a water content of polished rice so that it reaches at least 23 wt % after the rice has been washed with water; soaking the rice in a sugar solution so as to allow the sugar to permeate the rice and to remove 6 to 38 wt % of the water contained in the rice; separating the sugar solution adhered to the rice; and drying the rice under conditions in which starch contained therein will not be pregelatinized.

Abstract: A process for preparing granular food products which essentially comprises the steps of admixing solid fat having a melting point from 30 to 130.degree. C. and at least one food material powder to provide a mixture, heating the mixture to prepare an intermediate paste product, flaking the paste product, adding additives to the paste product, heating the resulting product under agitation to prepare a granular food product and cooling the granular product to obtain a final granular food product.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for improving the solubility of gelling agents hardly soluble in water such as agar-agar, gelatin and carrageenan. Said method includes the step of contacting said gelling agent with a non-equilibrium plasma formed by applying a high frequency wave to a low pressure gaseous atmosphere, such as air, oxygen, carbon dioxide or nitrogen, and thereby obtaining a gelling agent readily soluble in water.

Abstract: A novel method for improving the quality of wheat flour, wherein the novelty resides in bringing the wheat flour into contact with a non-equilibrium plasma. The dough prepared from the wheat flour processed by this method exhibits an improved viscoelasticity, and the starch in this wheat flour shows a greater water holding capacity. Appearance and texture of the secondary products from this wheat are also improved remarkably.