Abstract: A puffed snack is prepared from chlorophyll-containing plant grains by pulverizing the grains under completely light shielding conditions, storing the resulting pulverized grains under complete light shielding conditions or light shielding conditions applied within 24 hours after pulverization and puffing the grains in a screw extruder having a die wherein the temperature of the die ranges from 90.degree. to 150.degree. C. for the resulting pulverized grains having a water content of 9-11%, the temperature of the die ranging from 100.degree. to 210.degree. for the resulting pulverized grains having a water content of from 11 to 15%, and the temperature of the die ranging from 160.degree. to 240.degree. C. for the resulting pulverized grains having a water content from 15 to 20%, so that the degree of puffing falls within a range of from 3.0 to 28.

Abstract: A continuous frying apparatus comprising a primary frying vessel for transferring foodstuff with the stream of oil; a secondary frying vessel for holding and frying the foodstuff below the oil surface with the use of a conveyor including rollers, a running member moving around the rollers and interlocked therewith, and projections arranged on the outer surface of the running member; and a joining section for connecting the primary frying vessel and the secondary frying vessel. According to the present invention, one of the rollers which is arranged nearest the starting side of the secondary frying vessel is positioned so that the intersection with the oil surface of a circular arc defined by the ends of the projections moving around that roller is positioned closer to the ending side of the secondary frying vessel than intersection of the oil stream flowing downward and out of the primary frying vessel meeting with the oil level in the secondary frying vessel.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a snack food comprises the steps of preparing a paste of a ground or pulverized vegetable and/or fruit, the paste having a moisture content ranging from 50 to 85% by weight and a saccharide content ranging from 5 to 35% by weight, and then drying the paste to give a snack food having a moisture content ranging from 1 to 6% by weight and a bulk density ranging from 0.3 to 0.8 g/ml. The method can provide snack foods exhibiting palatability which has never been attained, mainly comprising vegetables and/or fruits, having a moisture content ranging from 1 to 6% and a bulk density ranging from 0.3 to 0.8 g/ml. The snack foods manufactured according to this method can be used as health confectionery after independently packaging or incorporating into a container.

Abstract: A method for preparing a puff snack comprises the steps of puffing an ingredient essentially consisting of a bean which may or may not have the husk and having a water content of 9 to 20% in an extruder at a die temperature ranging from 90.degree. to 150.degree. C. for the ingredient having a water content of 9 to 11%, 100.degree. to 210.degree. C. for the ingredient having a water content of more than 11% and not more than 15% or 160.degree. to 240.degree. C. for the ingredient having a water content of more than 15% and not more than 20% so that the degree of puffing falls within the range of from 3.0 to 28.0 times the volume of the bean to give a puffed product having a water content of not more than 7% by weight after drying or without carrying out drying and then applying fat and oil to the resulting puffed product.