Abstract: A crumb is manufactured by a process including adding an aqueous flour mixture into an extruder, partially extruding the aqueous mixture through the extruder, adding an aqueous gelling agent to the extruder at a point downstream of the start of the extrusion of the aqueous mixture through the extruder to form a resultant mixture of the aqueous mixture and the aqueous gelling agent in the extruder, and extruding the resultant mixture at a temperature greater than 100° C. to form an extrudate. The extrudate is allowed to expand, dried and milled to form the crumb, which has moisture-resistant properties particularly well-suited for use on frozen, microwavable food products.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crumb coated food product is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming an aqueous mixture including a flour mixture having one or more flours; sodium bicarbonate; optional additives selected from processing aids, salts, colorants and, water; adding the mixture into an extruder; adding an aqueous gelling agent to the extruder; extruding the resultant mixture at a temperature greater than 100° C. to form an extrudate; allowing the extrudate to expand to form a porous product; drying the product, and milling the dried product to form a crumb.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a starch composition with high total dietary fiber (TDF) that retains its TDF upon processing. In particular, over 50% of such fiber is retained upon extrusion processing. Such starch is useful in the manufacture of high fiber food products, including extruded products such as breakfast cereals and snacks.

Abstract: A gas assisted co-extrusion apparatus includes a co-extrusion die in communication with an extruder. A nozzle that is defined by a bore in the co-extrusion die extends about a nozzle axis to a nozzle exit of the co-extrusion die. An injector extends through the bore of the co-extrusion die along the nozzle axis. The injector and nozzle together form a dough into a rope that is tubular with a wall portion and an inner cavity surrounded by the wall portion as the dough is extruded out of the nozzle exit and about the injector. A compressed gas source provides a compressed gas out of an injector outlet and into the inner cavity of the rope to radially stretch the wall portion of the rope as the rope is dispersed from the injector. The co-extrusion die is spaced from the extruder to define a void therebetween. A delivery system delivers an entrainable material to the compressed gas in a pipe. The pipe is connected to an injector inlet of the injector in the void.

Abstract: Extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food products, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, are produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.

Abstract: A food piece with a first dough sheet having a first inner surface, a first outer surface, and a first peripheral edge. The food piece also includes a second dough sheet having a second inner surface, a second outer surface, and a second peripheral edge. The first peripheral edge of the first dough sheet is joined together with the second peripheral edge of the second dough sheet to define a perimeter. The food piece also includes an embossment positioned within the perimeter. The embossment extends upon at least one of the first outer surface and the second outer surface and includes at least one line along which the first and second dough sheets are joined.

Abstract: Crisp bread snack food products based on traditional bread recipes from around the world and a method for producing the products on a commercial processing line. The crisp bread snack food products are shelf-stable and have flavors substantially similar to the traditional breads.

Abstract: An animal protein-based dog treat has a soft crunch and a stable shelf life without use of an appreciable amount of sodium or chemical preservatives. A method of producing the dog treat entails use of extrusion and heating processes to trap moisture in the interior of the dog treat, and then to expand and evaporate the moisture. This process creates in an internal portion of the dog treat voids or air pockets that provide desired texture and strength characteristics.

Abstract: A machine and method operable to mass produce batches of dough in selectable, discrete and customizable batches and control the temperature of the dough under various environmental conditions is provided. The machine and method adjusts the temperature of the water introduced into a batch of dough in order to make a batch of dough having a predetermined temperature. Specifically, the machine includes a controller operable to adjust the temperature of the water based upon first law of thermodynamics to produce a batch of dough having a predetermined temperature. The machine includes a bowl for containing dough ingredients, a water source operable to selectively introduce water with the dough ingredients, a controller, and a water temperature controlling apparatus. The controller actuates the water temperature controlling apparatus to change the temperature of the water introduced into the bowl so as to form a batch of dough having a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A process for making a highly dense legume micro pellet by preconditioning, extruding, cutting and cooling a legume flour-based mixture. The legume micro pellets made in accordance with the invention contain 70 to 90% legume, have a moisture content of 8 to 12% and a density of 700 to 850 g/L.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for microplasma spray coating a portion of a substrate, such as a gas turbine compressor blade, without masking any portions thereof. The apparatus includes a microplasma gun with an anode, cathode, and an arc generator for generating an electric arc between the anode and cathode. An arc gas emitter injects inert gas through the electric arc. The electric arc is operable for ionizing the gas to create a plasma gas stream. A powder injector injects powdered material into a plasma stream. A localized area of the compressor blade is coated with the powdered material without having to mask the compressor blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to impart a random curvature to frying pre-formed snack pieces in a multi-layer fryer through the use of a contoured submerger. The shape of the contours of a contoured submerger imparts a random final curvature to each snack piece as snack pieces pass through a glass transition during frying. The contours are chosen so as to achieve a desired bulk density for the packaged fried snack products. Such method and apparatus are also useful in controlling the amount of change in bulk density or amount of settling of a packaged product during shipping or handling.

Abstract: A frozen, filled, yeast-bread product and a method for producing the same, the method including coextruding an unrisen yeast-bread dough and a filling through an extruder that is capable of at least encasing the filling with the unrisen yeast-bread dough to form a filled, unrisen yeast-bread dough; shaping the filled, unrisen yeast-bread dough into a consistent flattened shape; proofing, baking, cooling, enrobing, grilling and freezing the filled, unrisen yeast-bread dough to form a frozen, filled, yeast-leavened bread product that experiences substantially no leaking of filling from out of the bread product.

Abstract: Extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food products, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, are produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.

Abstract: An apparatus for making puffed food products from starch-containing raw materials. The apparatus has a baking and molding chamber defined by several heatable mold elements. The mold elements are individually actuated by direct hydraulic drive systems. The hydraulic power for these drive systems is selectively derived from a common oil pressure supply system which provides continuously high oil pressure to the direct hydraulic drive system for each mold element. The apparatus also has an improved feed system enabling the supply of raw material into the mold cavity such that no material gets spilled and each mold receives an accurate predetermined quantity of raw material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation of gluten and starch from wheat flower, wherein in a first step the wheat flour is converted into a dough having a moisture content of less than 50 wt %, based on dry weight of the flour. The dough is in a subsequent step subjected to an essential simple shear flow with a shear stress of at least 1 kPa and a specific mechanical energy input of at least 5 kJ/kg per minute processing time to obtain a processed dough. It is preferred that the apparatus used for performing this step includes a reactor of the cone-and-plate type or the cone-cone-type wherein an absolute velocity profile across the conical gap is present. In a final step, the processed dough is separated into a gluten enriched fraction and a starch enriched fraction. The gluten enriched fraction is very suitable for bakery applications.

Abstract: Cheese crackers or snacks having a pasta shape are produced by admixing at least one flour, cheese, and water to obtain a dough having a real cheese content of from about 5% by weight, to about 60% by weight, based upon the weight of the dough, extruding the dough at a pressure and temperature which avoid substantial gelatinization of starch and expansion of the dough. The dough is extruded through a die to obtain a shaped dough rope, which may be cut at the die into shaped dough pieces. The shaped dough pieces may be baked or fried to obtain shaped cheese crackers or snacks in the form of a pasta shape, such as a hollow, grid, helix or spiral shape. Additionally, the crackers or snacks exhibit a non-glassy crispy or crunchy, texture, and a leavened, non-puffed cell structure.

Abstract: An oxide material (102) is used as masking for patterning by etching which is performed with respect to a substrate or a material laminated on the substrate (101). The oxide material is also used in a multi-step etching which is performed by using a resist (103) formed on the oxide material as a mask. The etching rate of the oxide material for a reaction gas containing an inert gas or hydrogen is higher than the etching rate of the resist for the reaction gas containing an inert gas or hydrogen, while the etching rate of the oxide material for a fluorine-containing gas is lower than the etching rate of the material, which is to be patterned by using the oxide material as a mask, for the fluorine-containing gas. In addition, the oxide material is soluble in a weak acid.

Abstract: A scratch-resistant coating comprising a polymer including a functionalized polysilsesquioxane. The scratch-resistant coating is exposed to oxidizing conditions (e.g., ozone or ultraviolet light) that modify the surface chemistry of the coating to enhance adhesion to inorganic thin film coatings, such as antireflective coatings.

Abstract: An extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food product, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, is produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after the extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.

Abstract: An edible bread cup and an apparatus and method for making edible bread cups is disclosed. The apparatus for molding and baking dough into an edible cup has a top and a bottom molding sheet. The bottom molding sheet has several cup-shaped female molds for receiving several identically shaped male molds built into the top molding sheet. Dough is flattened into patties and is rested in the female molds, after which the male molds are lowered into the female molds, thereby shaping the dough to the cup-shape of the molds. Guiding rods on the top sheet slide into guiding tubes on the bottom sheet in order to align the sheets before the molds come into contact. After the sheets are brought together, clamps are secured around the edges of the sheets to hold the sheets together. The dough is baked while between the sheets, which causes the dough to rise and fill the cup-shaped void between the molds.

Abstract: A method for making a snack product having a target shape from expandable pellets is disclosed. The snack product is formed into a target shape by expanding the pellets inside a mold. As the pellets expand inside the mold, the mold walls restrain the pellets expansion in the direction normal to the mold wall surface. The pellets also adhere to one another as they expand. An edible binder material can be included to facilitate such adherence.

Abstract: A method for making a pastry shell includes the provision of an upward-facing female die, including an open-bottomed baking ring, and a downward-facing male die, and urging the two dies toward each other with a selected volume of dough inserted therebetween such that the male die is inserted concentrically into the female die to form the dough into an unbaked pastry shell conforming substantially to the die space defined between the male and female dies and having a substantially flat, horizontal floor and vertical annular side walls that intersect the floor at substantially a right angle. The baking ring, gasket and unbaked pastry shell define an assembly that is then removed from the forming apparatus, conveyed to a separate oven and baked in the oven such that the baking ring supports the walls of the pastry shell during the conveying and the baking of the shell.

Abstract: Provided is a food material which contains, as its main ingredients, a wheat protein and at least one of a fusuma bran and a nuka bran, and which eliminates a poor texture peculiar to the fusuma bran, the nuka bran, and a mixture of the fusuma bran and the nuka bran. For this purpose, the food material contains a thickening stabilizer as well as a wheat protein and at least one of a roasted fusuma bran and a roasted nuka bran.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a crumb coated food product comprising the steps of forming an aqueous mixture comprising: a flour mixture comprising one or more flours, sodium bicarbonate, optional additives selected from processing aids, salts, colourants and, water; adding the mixture into an extruder; adding an aqueous gelling agent to the extruder; extruding the resultant mixture at a temperature greater than 100° C. to form an extrudate; allowing the extrudate to expand to form a porous product; drying the product, and milling the dried product to form a crumb.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel methods of using Phleum spp. seeds, especially Timothy grass (P. pratense L.) seeds, for making gluten-free food products and the food products produced using such methods.

Abstract: Premium quality parbaked frozen pizza can be made by adding premium rough cut toppings to a premium generally square crust having a rough edge mimicking a hand formed crust. The pizza provides the appearance of being hand made and baked in a brick wood fired oven providing a crispy exterior, a soft interior crust having characteristic toasted color indicia. In use, the pizza is packaged in conventional corrugated forms, outer wrapped and packaged for delivery in retail environments. The product can be removed from its packaging and baked at home, mimicking a product from a restaurant grade preparation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for microplasma spray coating a portion of a substrate, such as a gas turbine compressor blade, without masking any portions thereof. The apparatus includes a microplasma gun with an anode, cathode, and an arc generator for generating an electric arc between the anode and cathode. An arc gas emitter injects inert gas through the electric arc. The electric arc is operable for ionizing the gas to create a plasma gas stream. A powder injector injects powdered material into a plasma stream. A localized area of the compressor blade is coated with the powdered material without having to mask the compressor blade.

Abstract: An animal protein-based dog treat has a soft crunch and a stable shelf life without use of an appreciable amount of sodium or chemical preservatives. A method of producing the dog treat entails use of extrusion and heating processes to trap moisture in the interior of the dog treat, and then to expand and evaporate the moisture. This process creates in an internal portion of the dog treat voids or air pockets that provide desired texture and strength characteristics.

Abstract: An extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food product, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, is produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after the extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.

Abstract: A method for producing wafers by extrusion comprising the steps of a. Preparing an ingredient mix b. Feeding the mix in an extruder and cooking the mix c. Extruding the cooked mix such that an extruded and expanded non-planar structure is formed d. Unfolding the structure to give a large extruded sheet e. Subjecting the extruded sheet to stretching/pulling f. Adjusting the sheet in order to obtain a desired thickness g. Drying the sheet h. Separating the sheet into wafers of desired dimensions The invention also relates to the wafers thus produced and to a wafer production line.

Abstract: A filled bread product and a method for producing the same, the method including coextruding an unrisen yeast-bread dough and a filling through an extruder that is capable of at least encasing the filling within the unrisen yeast-bread dough to form an unrisen filled bread product; shaping the unrisen filled bread product into a consistent flattened shape; and searing the filled bread product. The method further comprising topping, proofing, baking, cooling, grilling, freezing, and packaging the filled bread product. A grilling apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved extruder die assembly and method for using same to improve the quality of dimensional design aspects of extruded, complexly shaped, direct expanded food products. The improved system includes an improved die assembly comprising a first die and a second die having at least one orifice. A majority of the total pressure drop occurs in the first die to pre-expand the dough prior to the dough entering the second die. The orifices in the first die can be individually configured to obtain differing dough flow speeds resulting in a desired flow pattern. A plurality of extruded dough ropes formed at each orifice exit of the first die can meld together in the bore and exit the second die. Color or flavor can be added at the first die to enhance the food product.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for finish-frying doughnuts in superheated steam having a flow rate in the range of from 1 to 20 m/s, at a temperature in the range of from 150-250° C. and for a period of time in the range of from 1 to 5 minutes, wherein more than 75% of the surface of the doughnuts is contacted with the superheated steam. The invention further provides doughnuts obtainable with said method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation of gluten and starch from wheat flower, wherein in a first step the wheat flour is converted into a dough having a moisture content of less than 50 wt %, based on dry weight of the flour. The dough is in a subsequent step subjected to an essential simple shear flow with a shear stress of at least 1 kPa and a specific mechanical energy input of at least 5 kJ/kg per minute processing time to obtain a processed dough. It is preferred that the apparatus used for performing this step comprises a reactor of the cone-and-plate type or the cone-cone-type wherein an absolute velocity profile across the conical gap is present. In a final step, the processed dough is separated into a gluten enriched fraction and a starch enriched fraction. The gluten enriched fraction is very suitable for bakery applications.

Abstract: The present invention discloses formulations for sheeted, baked sweet potato chips that have a light, crispy texture similar to a white potato chip. The ingredients are combined with water and oil to make a dough, which is then sheeted and cut into pieces. The pieces are baked to produce sweet potato snack chips.

Abstract: A method for forming a pressed, baked food product including providing a dough intermediate puck. The dough intermediate puck is processed through a first, compression station that applies a compression force and heat to the dough intermediate puck, resulting in a pressed puck. The pressed puck is processed through a second, dwell and heating station that contacts opposing major surfaces of the pressed puck in a manner allowing the pressed puck to naturally rise and applies heat to the puck, resulting in a pressed, at least partially-baked, food product. The above steps are characterized by continuous movement of the puck from an upstream end of the first station to a downstream end of the second station. In one embodiment, residual heat from the first station is applied in the second station.

Abstract: A method for preparing bread includes forming a dough billet and providing a frame including a sling of flexible cloth material secured between two cross members, the sling defining an elongate trough sized to receive the dough billet. The dough billet is disposed in the elongate trough such that the dough billet has a predetermined orientation and the dough billet is moved into a cutting station using a conveyor. The dough billet is scored in the sling at the predetermined orientation with an automated cutting station. The dough billet is removed from the elongate trough by raising the dough billet by pressing a contact element against a bottom of the sling and taking the raised dough billet from the frame. The dough billet is also cooked on an oven floor.

Abstract: A method for making a low or reduced carbohydrate dough for making snack food products with a reduced carbohydrate content. Legumes such as soybeans are cooked near boiling, drained, and milled. Dry ingredients such as starch, fiber, and/or protein can be added to lower the dough moisture content so the dough can be sheeted and cut into pre-forms. The pre-forms can then be cooked, by frying or baking, and seasoned to make a low carbohydrate tortilla-like snack food.

Abstract: The present invention provides puffed, crisp, cracker-like food products comprising at least two layers of baked dough defining at least one cavity, wherein said cavity is substantially defined by secured dough perimeter. Also provided are methods to make the puffed, crisp, cracker-like food products described herein. In particular, there are provided methods to make a puffed, crisp food product, comprising: providing leavening means between at least two sheets of dough; securing said dough sheets so as to define at a perimeter; causing at least one cavity to form within said perimeter, wherein said cavity is defined by said perimeter. Purposeful development of large cavities within a sturdy, yet crisp cracker results in a surprisingly high rate of uncrushed crackers, and a surprisingly high rate of reproducible product attributes. Enhancements of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are ready-to-eat puffed dried food products that are high both in protein and in fiber. The cereals contain sufficient amounts of at least one protein ingredient to provide a total protein content about 50% to 75% (dry weight) of the cooked food product; sufficient amounts of at least one dietary fiber ingredient to provide a total fiber content of about 1-45% (dry weight); and sufficient amounts of a starch containing ingredient to provide a starch content of about 5-45%. The food products have a crush strength raging from about 0.25 to 3.5 kg/cm3.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of making a puffed-food starch material snack, in particular starch material from grains, having an improved crispy texture and a more aesthetic appearance. The products may be snack chips, cakes, crackers or the like, made from food starch material. Preferably, the starch material is provided primarily in the form of individual kernels or pellets of a cereal grain, such as rice, corn, wheat, rye, oats, millet, sorghum, barley, buckwheat, or mixtures thereof. According to one method, a puffing chamber is provided having inner surfaces and a chamber volume. A bulk amount of the food starch material is placed into the puffing chamber. The bulk amount of food starch material is caused to volumetrically expand. The expanding food starch material is constrained in its expansion in at least a first dimension, while permitting unconstrained expansion of the bulk amount in at least a second dimension.

Abstract: In the production of edible products which includes a holding period for starch retrogra-dation, the addition of a xylanase to cereal-based raw materials accelerates the retrogradation and thus allows a shortening of the holding period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a puffed food starch material product. A food starch material capable of volumetric expansion in three dimensions is placed into a puffing chamber. Expansion of the food starch material includes constraining expansion of the food starch material in at least a first dimension while permitting unconstrained expansion of the food starch material in a second dimension to produce a unitary, puffed food starch material product with at least one surface having a wavy contour. In a method of making a puffed food starch material product of the present invention, a puffing chamber is provided having inner surfaces and a chamber volume. A bulk amount of the food starch material is placed into the puffing chamber. The bulk amount of food starch material is caused to volumetrically expand. The expanding food starch material is constrained in its expansion in at least a first dimension, while permitting expansion of the bulk amount in at least a second dimension.

Abstract: A scoopable dough can be used to prepare cut biscuits, drop biscuits, dumplings, flat bread, crackers, pizza dough, doughnuts, fritters, hushpuppies, muffins, pastry crusts, coffee cake, quick bread, scones, cobbler-type crust, and the like. A scoopable dough has desirable viscoelastic properties and is shelf stable without being stored in a container that is deoxygenated and/or hermetically sealed at freezing and refrigeration temperatures. A scoopable dough includes flour, a protein supplement, a shortening, a humectant, a leavening system having at, least portion of the leavening system encapsulated, and water. The flour and water can be in a flour-to-water ratio of between about 2:1 and about 1:1. A scoopable dough can also include a texture-modifying agent, an emulsifier, a hydrocolloid, a dough-developing agent, a nutritional supplement, a flavoring, a shelf-life stabilizer, an organic acid, and/or a binder of metal ions.

Abstract: Cooked cereal dough products are provided that are fortified with at least a 0.65% calcium (dry weight basis) at least a major portion of which is supplied by calcium phosphate salts having a median particle size of 2 to 15 ?m. Dried cereal finished products such as Ready-to-Eat breakfast cereals are fabricated from cooked cereal doughs that can comprise even lightly colored cereal materials such as rice and/or corn (maize) and minor levels of other conventional cereal ingredients and calcium phosphate. Methods for preparing such calcium fortified cooked cereal compositions and dried cereal finished food products essentially comprise: (a) providing a calcium fortified cooked cereal dough or mass containing at least 0.65% calcium (dry weight basis) at least a portion of which is supplied by calcium phosphate; (b) forming the lightly colored calcium fortified cereal dough into pieces; and (c) drying the pieces to form the present rice based finished food products fortified with high levels of calcium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of puffing a food starch material capable of becoming amorphous into a food starch material product. The method includes forming food starch material pellets by extruding gelatinized food starch flour in an extruder. The pellets are then placed in a puffing chamber and heated under pressure until the pellets become amorphous. The amorphous food starch material product is then expanded to form a puffed, unitary product composed of all the pellets placed in the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is an encapsulated yeast composite comprising a core comprising yeast and a coating containing an emulsifiable lipid. The yeast includes Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The invention also relates to other encapsulated bioactive substance composites. The nature of the coating provides controlled release of the bioactive substance from the encapsulate. The encapsulated composites are useful in the production of food compositions, food products, and animal feed products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying liquid mass to a product, in particular a dough product. The method comprises of providing a supply of substantially liquid mass, carrying a layer of liquid mass out of the supply and applying the mass from the layer onto supplied product, characterized by applying the layer to the product by splashing the layer. The invention also relates to an application device for applying a substantially liquid mass to a product.