Abstract: An improved processing method and system for producing tomato paste and other food products affected by viscosity. Tomatoes are processed into tomato juice. The juice is provided to a decanter that separates or fractionates the juice into two portions—a thicker, more viscous cake portion and a thinner, less viscous serum portion. The serum portion is concentrated by removing a portion of water using an evaporator such as a thin film or juice evaporator. The cake portion can be concentrated if necessary with a drier. The serum and cake portions are recombined to produce a tomato paste having improved color, texture, flavor and nutrition.

Abstract: An improved processing method and system for producing tomato paste and other food products affected by viscosity. Tomatoes are processed into tomato juice. The juice is provided to a decanter that separates or fractionates the juice into two portions—a thicker, more viscous cake portion and a thinner, less viscous serum portion. The serum portion is concentrated by removing a portion of water using an evaporator such as a thin film or juice evaporator. The cake portion can be concentrated if necessary with a drier. The serum and cake portions are re-combined to produce a tomato paste having improved color, texture, flavor and nutrition.

Abstract: System for producing tomato paste and powder using both reverse osmosis and evaporation. A tomato juice is separated into a juice and a pulp component. The juice is clarified with a centrifuge and/or micro-filter and processed with reverse osmosis to produce a pre-concentrated juice by removing a first portion of water. A second pulp component (and possibly a third pulp component) are produced during clarification. The pre-concentrated juice is provided to a multi-effect evaporator, which removes a second portion of water to form a concentrate. Thermal vapor recompression can be used to recycle steam that is used during evaporation. The concentrate is mixed with the pulp components to produce an intermediate paste, which is processed to produce a tomato paste. Tomato powder can also be produced.

Abstract: Method for producing tomato paste and powder using both reverse osmosis and evaporation. A tomato juice is separated into a juice and a first pulp. The juice is clarified with a centrifuge and/or filter to produce a clarified juice and a second pulp component. The clarified juice is processed with reverse osmosis to produce a pre-concentrated juice by removing a first portion of water. The pre-concentrated juice is provided to a multi-effect evaporator, which removes a second portion of water to form a concentrate. Thermal vapor recompression can be used to recycle steam that is used during evaporation. The concentrate is mixed with the first pulp component or a pulp mixture to produce an intermediate paste, which is processed to produce a tomato paste by combining juice and pulp components. Tomato powder can also be produced.