Abstract: A multi-textured, baked, grain-based or legume-based snack includes a cooked grain or legume together with a crispy form of the grain and legume to create a baked multi-textured light snack having airy portion and crispy portions to provide consumers with a unique eating experience. Methods of preparing the snack are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method of instant rice which may be restored to edible rice simply by adding hot water. The method includes a first pressurized-steaming step for steaming raw material rice under pressure while the raw material rice is being agitated, and forming a gelatinized layer on a surface of the raw material rice, a hydration step for hydrating the raw material rice having the gelatinized layer formed on the surface, a tempering step for making moisture content of the hydrated raw material rice uniform, a second pressurized-steaming step for steaming the hydrated raw material rice under pressure while the raw material rice is being agitated, and gelatinizing the raw material rice to a center, a dehydration step for dehydrating the raw material rice that is gelatinized to the center, and an expansion step for expanding the dehydrated raw material rice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animal food products and methods of producing thereof. The methods of the present invention comprise mixing a binding agent with feed meal at a temperature of between about 10° C. and about 70° C. to produce a mash, passing the mash through an extruder to form an animal feed product, and drying the animal feed product. In certain embodiments, the temperature of the meal, mash and final product is kept at 70° C. or below.

Abstract: Shredded or flaked whole grain-containing composite food products, such as ready-to-eat cereals, and sweet and savory snacks, are continuously produced by pelletizing cooked, tempered, whole cereal grain particles in the presence of vegetables, fruit, or dairy cheese. In another aspect, an enrobing coating containing chocolate is applied to a baked shredded laminate product of the pelletization, wherein the shredded product may further optionally include fruit added and present during pelletization.

Abstract: A method for processing barley to make a quick-cooking barley product is described. Barley is pearled to remove hulls, and is then precooked to raise the moisture content and gelatinize starch in a single step. The precooked barley is dried in two stages. The first drying stage causes case hardening of the kernel, while the second stage heats moisture trapped within the kernel to cause steam expulsion from the hardened kernel and final drying of the precooked barley. The resulting dried product is a porous kernel that may be shipped, stored, and easily reconstituted by the end user.

Abstract: A stabilized bran component and stabilized whole grain wheat flour containing the component are produced by subjecting a bran-enriched coarse fraction which contains bran, germ and starch to grinding or milling to reduce grittiness of the coarse fraction without substantially damaging the starch due to abrasion. The coarse fraction may be stabilized by heating to substantially reduce the lipase and lipoxygenase activity of the coarse fraction without substantial starch gelatinization. High levels of natural antioxidants and vitamins are retained while avoiding substantial acrylamide formation during the stabilization. The stabilized coarse fraction or stabilized bran component may be combined with a fine fraction which contains predominantly endosperm to obtain a stabilized whole grain wheat flour. The stabilized whole grain wheat flours and stabilized bran component exhibit extended shelf life and may be used for making baked goods, such as cookies, with desirable oven spread, and a non-gritty mouthfeel.

Abstract: A stabilized bran component and a stabilized whole grain flour containing the component are produced by subjecting a bran-enriched coarse fraction which contains bran, germ and starch to grinding or milling to reduce grittiness of the coarse fraction without substantially damaging the starch due to abrasion. The coarse fraction may be stabilized by heating to substantially reduce the lipase and lipoxygenase activity of the coarse fraction without substantial gelatinization of the starch. High levels of natural antioxidants and vitamins are retained while avoiding substantial acrylamide formation during the stabilization. The stabilized coarse fraction or stabilized bran component may be combined with a fine fraction which contains predominantly endosperm to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour. The stabilized whole grain flours and the stabilized bran component exhibit extended shelf life and may be used for making baked goods, such as cookies, with desirable oven spread, and a non-gritty mouthfeel.

Abstract: Shredded or flaked whole grain-containing composite food products, such as ready-to-eat cereals, and sweet and savory snacks, are continuously produced by pelletizing cooked, tempered, whole cereal grain particles in the presence of vegetables, fruit, or dairy cheese. In another aspect, an enrobing coating containing chocolate is applied to a baked shredded laminate product of the pelletization, wherein the shredded product may further optionally include fruit added and present during pelletization.

Abstract: A stabilized bran component and a stabilized whole grain flour containing the component are produced by subjecting a bran-enriched coarse fraction which contains bran, germ and starch to grinding or milling to reduce grittiness of the coarse fraction without substantially damaging the starch due to abrasion. The coarse fraction may be stabilized by heating to substantially reduce the lipase and lipoxygenase activity of the coarse fraction without substantial gelatinization of the starch. High levels of natural antioxidants and vitamins are retained while avoiding substantial acrylamide formation during the stabilization. The stabilized coarse fraction or stabilized bran component may be combined with a fine fraction which contains predominantly endosperm to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour. The stabilized whole grain flours and the stabilized bran component exhibit extended shelf life and may be used for making baked goods, such as cookies, with desirable oven spread, and a non-gritty mouthfeel.

Abstract: A stabilized bran component and a stabilized whole grain wheat flour containing the component are produced by subjecting a bran-enriched coarse fraction which contains bran, germ and starch to grinding or milling to reduce grittiness of the coarse fraction without substantially damaging the starch due to abrasion. The coarse fraction may be stabilized by heating to substantially reduce the lipase and lipoxygenase activity of the coarse fraction without substantial gelatinization of the starch. High levels of natural antioxidants and vitamins are retained while avoiding substantial acrylamide formation during the stabilization. The stabilized coarse fraction or stabilized bran component may be combined with a fine fraction which contains predominantly endosperm to obtain a stabilized whole grain wheat flour.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing cooked rice with barley in an aseptic packing process, comprising mixing barley, which had been sterilization-treated and then dried, with non-glutinous rice. The method for preparing cooked rice with barley in an aseptic packing system according to the present invention is characterized in that by using barley that has been first gelatinized and then retrogradated, the cooked rice with barley has a reduced initial level of microorganisms in the barley, leading to excellent stability against microorganisms, a long storage life, of 6 months or longer at ambient temperature, excellent appearance, pleasant flavor, and soft, flexible, and sticky texture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparation of expanded finger millet, a ready-to-eat product with versatile food uses.

Abstract: HYBRID MAIZE WITH UNIFORM CONCENTRATION OF ANTHOCYANINS, OF EASY EXTRACTION AND PROCESS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF ANTHOCYANINS FROM HYBRID MAIZE, deals with the generation of a hybrid maize with an uniform concentration of anthocyanins and the process for their extraction, providing for the use of anthocyanins and the utilization of maize, without generating rejects in this process, for that purpose, the species in natura containing anthocyanins are properly crossbred with other predefined germplasms, with the proper and adequate characteristics so as to serve as the basal matrix to receive, deposited on its surface, a skin with uniform and easily removable anthocyanins according to the difference of consistence between skin and grain.

Abstract: A hand-held oatmeal product is provided that is ready to eat. The oatmeal product may be packaged in a retortable pouch. Methods of making the oatmeal product are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining grains of monocotyledonous plants, notably of poaceae and in particular of graminae, remarkable in that it comprises at least the following steps for harvesting plants in an immature condition, then separating the grains, and then removing the glumes and/or glumellae of the grains without drying or torrefaction in order to obtain immature, raw and entire grains substantially without glumes and/or glumellae. Another object of the invention relates to immature grains of monocotyledonous plants, notably of poaceae and in particular of graminae, the glumes and/or glumellae of which have been removed, capable of being obtained by a method according to the invention. The invention also relates to a food composition comprising grains according to the invention.

Abstract: A method for making partially popped popcorn from hulled corn kernel is provided. A hulled corn comprising a pericarp structure and interior endosperm having an internal moisture content is modified, such as by boiling, soaking or steaming, to achieve a predetermined moisture content sufficient to inhibit but not prevent popping of the kernel. The modified kernel is exposed to a heated environment, such as a hot air popper, until the modified endosperm expands and ruptures the endosperm, resulting in a partially popped kernel.

Abstract: A process for producing an ultrafine-milled whole-grain wheat flour which has the full nutritional value of wheat kernels, while retaining the texture of refined wheat flour and an appearance similar to refined wheat flour, and the products which can be made from the ultrafine-milled whole-grain wheat flour. The process can be used for producing an ultrafine-milled coarse fraction. Further, using the process with a variety of other grains is discussed.

Abstract: A composite synthetic resin material forming apparatus comprises an outer channel having an outer outlet, an inner channel having an inner outlet opening into the outer channel, outer synthetic resin supply means for flowing an outer synthetic resin through the outer channel, and inner synthetic resin supply means for flowing an inner synthetic resin through the inner channel. Opening and closing means for selectively opening and closing the inner outlet is disposed. The outer synthetic resin supply means intermittently supplies the outer synthetic resin to the outer channel in accordance with opening and closing of the inner outlet by the opening and closing means.

Abstract: Warm and wet air are applied to brown rice with germinated germs, produced by adding water to the brown rice, for removing water attached to a surface of the rice. A surface of the germinated brown rice is polished by a rice-polishing machine while remaining the germinated germs to obtain rice with germinated germs. Water of about 1 to 10% of rice weight is added to soften the rice surface. The rice and granules whose granule size is set to a constant granule size smaller than that of the rice and which is heated to 60° C. or higher are mixed with the rice and stirred. Rice bran remaining on a rice surface after polishing is absorbed by the granules and is removed. And, the rice and granules are separated from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing cooked rice, comprising steaming raw rice having a water content of less than 30% by weight and then boiling the steamed rice, to cooked rice prepared according to the present method, and to cooked rice types comprising the cooked rice.

Abstract: Grain-rich snacks are produced by forming a pasty mixture comprising grain and a minor proportion of egg white, press-forming the pasty mixture to yield formed snacks, and contacting the formed snacks with superheated steam to set the egg white as binder of the snacks. Press-forming can be conducted by press-molding the pasty mixture in mold cavities or by extrusion to form rods or ribbons that are cut into snack-size pieces. Grains such as grits, oatmeal, pasta and rice in a pasty mixture with egg white may include other foods such as ground meat, chopped nuts, maple syrup, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing the fibrous shells from cereal grains. This method according to the invention includes a pretreatment step, wherein the moisture content of the cereal grains is increased, e.g. in the case of corn grains from 16 to more than 20% by weight, followed by the step of exposure of the pretreated grains to a thermal shock by means of a cryogenic medium and thereafter mechanical treatment step thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rice-converting installation comprising a chamber with an inlet and an outlet, means for heating the chamber and means for causing the chamber to vibrate and passing rice therein from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: The present application provides a novel process for the industrial preparation of rice cooked under vacuum, comprising the steps of cleaning, scalding, cooling, draining, drying, frying, mixing with sauces and/or solids, packaging, maceration, and cooking and sterilizing, as described and claimed herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of quick cooking rice having a natural appearance and smooth mouthfeel. The rice is produced by mechanically manipulating wet rice at a moisture content of from more than 17% to 32% by weight, preferably by wet milling the rice to remove the bran, followed by drying. The wet milling results in a product with quick cooking properties, superior cook yield and eating properties. The mechanically manipulated wet rice can also be instantized after the wet flexing step to produce an instant rice. Accordingly, the invention provides quick cooking and instant rices obtainable by the claimed processes.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for manufacturing no-bran cereal such as no-bran rice which require no washing before cooking. With the method and the apparatus, bran stuck on a surface of a grain of the polished cereal is easily removed without imparting any damage on the surface, and further moisture in the grain is maintained to increase taste of the cereal. Moisture is added to the polished cereal and granular material is mixed and stirred with the moistened polished cereal to polish a surface of each grain of the polished cereal and remove bran stuck on the surface of the polished cereal. Then, the polished cereal is separated from the granular material to obtain the no-bran rice.

Abstract: Softened unpolished rice on which knurling patterns are formed is provided. The rice has pores and cracks formed on a rice bran. Furthermore, the method of preparing the same is provided.

Abstract: A process for producing fully and uniformly gelatinized hulled oats comprising the steps of:(i) adding water to the oats; and(ii) subjecting the moist oat product of step (i) to sufficient temperature and pressure for a suitable period of time to cause full and uniform gelatinization of the oats.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an oat containing cereal product having an improved stability by heat treating a mixture comprising a pre-oxidized comminuted oat material at about 100 to 250.degree. C. for about 2 sec to 60 min. Also provided is a process for preparing a comminuted oat material wherein the comminuted oat material is prepared by pre-oxidizing oat groats, bran, flakes or flour, especially dehulled, steamed and kilned oat groats, flakes or flour. The use of pre-oxidized comminuted oat material to produce an oat containing cereal product results in an oat containing cereal product having improved stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a ready-to-eat cereal and fluid-milk breakfast food product having a firm surface and an interior comprised of fully cooked, soft and moist, fluid-milk-infused cereal grains joined together. The cereal and fluid-milk products of the present invention can be picked up and eaten hand-held because their textures do not become soggy even when the cereal grains have been infused with all the added fluid-milk. In the process of the present invention, a fluid-milk solution which contains starch complexing agents, flavors and sweeteners, are infused into cereal grains at temperatures above 180 F until the cereal grains become infused with all the fluid-milk solution, fully cooked, and soft and moist in texture.

Abstract: The invention provides a cereal cake formed by using germinated brown rice or other germinated cereal irradiated with far infrared rays as the material, and its manufacturing method, and more particularly it relates to cereal cake and its manufacturing method characterized by heating and pressing germinated cereal irradiated with far infrared rays, not a mere cereal, to process into a specified form, and therefore by germination of the cereal, phosphorus is supplied, phosphate enzyme acts, phytic acid is decomposed into phosphoric acid and inositol, protein is bonded to amino acid, fat to essential fatty acid, starch to sugar and minerals to amino acid, so as to be absorbed smoothly in the body, zinc, other minerals and vitamins are increased several times, and in particular the starch is transformed into sugar, so that a natural sweetness is provided without any particular sweetening process.

Abstract: A method of processing rice to provide a quick-cooking rice includes the steps of fluidizing the rice by recirculation of a gaseous fluid of saturated steam at 100.degree. C. during a first and major part of a cooking time period; injecting saturated make-up steam at 100.degree. C. into the recirculating gaseous fluid in order to compensate condensated steam; spraying water of a temperature close to 100.degree. C. upon the fluidized rice at most during the first and major part of the cooking time period and in an amount calculated for gelatinizing all starch of the fluidized rice; and drying the rice mainly in fluidized state in a successive second zone by dry air.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing shelf-stable, ready-to-eat rice products. The method involves coating pregelatinized rice grains with an emulsifier. A food acid and glucono-delta-lactone are then added to the coated rice to lower the pH to 4.6 or less. The rice is then thermally treated at a temperature and for a time sufficient for sterilization. The resulting products have the same or superior texture, appearance, and flavor when compared to other commercially produced, shelf-stable, ready-to-each rice products.

Abstract: A high pressure-treated cereal which has been subjected to a pressure of not lower than 1000 atm to not higher than 9000 atm in a liquid within a pressure chamber for a period of time required for internal denaturation and subsequently dried, and a method of preparing the cereal. The cereal can be cooked with reduced labor and time and is less allergenic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing pressure-treated rice characterized by placing washed polished rice directly or as enclosed in a container into a liquid within a pressure chamber and applying a high pressure to the pressure chamber for a suitable period of time, and a container for cooking the pressure-treated rice in a microwave oven characterized in that the cooking container comprises a container body, a closure for the container body, and a partition provided inside the container body, the partition having a multiplicity of steam ports and being disposed in the interior of the container body for dividing the interior into an upper portion for accommodating the rice therein and a lower portion for accommodating therein water for steaming the rice. The method readily affords the pressure-treated rice, which can be cooked to a state suited to eating when heated for a short period of time with a reduced likelihood of impairing the flavor, taste and nutrients.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing barley food ingredients, comprising the steps of pearling, tempering and stabilizing grain from barley lines having the waxy phenotype, and thereafter forming the grain into a cereal ingredient. Pearling the grain may comprise removing from about 5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of the bran and germ. Tempering may comprise achieving a moisture content of about 12% to about 16% in about 2 to about 3 hours. Stabilizing the grain may comprise heating the grain in a bulk material radiation processor, preferably to a temperature between about 235 and 260 degrees Fahrenheit for a time between about 1 and about 7 minutes. Cereal ingredients may be formed by rolling the grain to a flake thickness from about 0.007 to about 0.030 inches. Barley food ingredients and compositions are disclosed, including cereals and snack foods.

Abstract: Parboiled rice having the beneficial properties of parboiled rice, such as intact grain structure and texture, and having improved color vis-a-vis a typical parboiled rice, and further in the case of a brown rice starting material being substantially without the characteristic parboiled flavor and color, and methods of making same.

Abstract: A short-time, low-pollution method of preparing masa flour is provided which yields flour equivalent to conventionally fabricated masas with a total processing time significantly less than prior techniques. The procedure preferably comprises subjecting alkali-treated, debranned and moisturized grain (e.g., corn) to near infrared radiation in order to partially cook the grain. The grain can then be milled to desired particle size specifications. Masa prepared in accordance with the invention may be produced in as little as one-half hour, as compared with prior methods involving many hours of preparation time. The preferred alkali treatment of the grain prior to infrared processing substantially reduces pollution inherent in prior art methods.

Abstract: A crisp, palatable, reduced calorie whole grain snack food is produced by subjecting initially tempering whole grains such as wheat, barley, corn, oats, rice and sorghum to a micronizing process wherein the whole grain(s) are partially precooked through application of near infrared radiation. Thereafter, the micronized grain is mixed with water and other optional ingredients and preconditioned with agitation and steam/water addition. After preconditioning, the mixture is directed to a twin screw extruder in order to form an extrudate of desired shape and size. The extrudate is then heat treated to crisp the outer surface thereof, typically through the use of oven heating and/or frying. The resultant snack product preferably has a whole grain content of at least about 50% by weight and a low total fat content on the order of about 20% by weight or less.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a process for par-boiling rice, comprising the steps of: (a) treating the rice with water at a temperature up to its boiling point to increase its water content to 17 to 28%; (b) steaming the soaked rice at a temperature from 100.degree. to 125.degree. C. to increase its water content to 19 to 30%; (c) heating the steamed rice, in a sealed vessel, under pressure and using dry heat, to a minimum temperature of approximately t.degree. C., wherein t=195-2.5 M and M is the moisture content of the steamed rice in %, for from 1 to 5 minutes; (d) reducing the pressure on the rice over a period of 1 to 10 minutes to atmospheric pressure, thereby allowing water to evaporate from the heated rice to reduce its temperature to approximately 100.degree. C. and its water content to 17 to 24%; and (e) drying the partially dried rice to microbiological stability. The product of the present invention has better consumer appeal than conventional par-boiled rice.

Abstract: Disclosed are high temperature, high pressure, short residence time methods for heat treating whole cereal grains which upon milling form raw whole grain flours which exhibit enhanced storage stability. The heat treatment step involves introducing the cereal grain into a zone of high pressure and temperature. Conventional continuous cereal puffing gun apparatus are useful to practice the process. Thereafter, the whole grain is introduced to a second zone of lower pressure but wherein the pressure differential is insufficient to cause puffing. After cooling without further drying, the treated grains can be milled to form the raw whole grain flours. The whole grain flours are especially useful in the preparation of whole grain cereal products such as whole grain R-T-E corn flakes.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for preparing oatmeal, which process comprises soaking steel cut oats and oat bran for a period of time sufficient to hydrate the oats, mixing rolled oats into the hydrated oat fraction, cooking the resultant mixture for a period of time sufficient to produce a flavorful food product, and optionally aseptically packaging the resulting product. The invention also comprises a process for preparing an oatmeal composition, which process comprises cooking steel cut oats in a manner so that the material is hydrated, adding rolled oats after a cooking time such that cooking of steel cut oats is substantially complete, adding optionally hydrated oat bran either before or after addition of the rolled oats, cooking the entire mixture for a time sufficient to render the product edible and packaging the product.

Abstract: An energy efficient steam rolled grain mill includes a preheater chamber, a steam chest, a roller mill and a cooler and dryer chamber. The cooler and dryer chamber is in direct head exchange relationship with the preheater chamber.

Abstract: High-temperature, low-moisture partial gelatinization of oat groats, having a moisture level between 10-20%, sufficient to drop the moisture level to between 3-6%, inclusive, can be used to prepare a flaked oat cereal which is shelf stable, provided the moisture levels of the post gelatinized oats are returned to critical levels of 8-12% inclusive, within 100 minutes after the heat treatment, and provided the flaking step takes place within 48 hours after the end of the remoisturization step.

Abstract: A process is described to provide an improved instantized parboiled rice that maintains the texture, appearance and flavor characteristics of eating quality parboiled finished rice product.

Abstract: A dried precooked rice product is prepared by cooking rice grains for obtaining a moisture content of from 55% to 75% by weight and then by drying the cooked rice grains at a temperature of from 140.degree. C. to 185.degree. C. in two stages, firstly under stationary conditions to a moisture content of from 20% to 35% and secondly under agitated conditions to a moisture content of from 3% to 15%, for providing a precooked dried rice produce having a bulk density of from 37 g/100 cm to 42 g/100 cm. 100 g of the rice product so produced is capable of absorbing from 195 g to 225 g of boiled hot water in 10 minutes rehydration in 500 g of boiled hot water.

Abstract: Foodstuffs which have been frozen are partially dehydrated in a gaseous medium having a dry bulb temperature higher than about 200.degree. F. and a wet bulb temperature higher than about 120.degree. F. prior to finish drying at a dry bulb temperature of less than about 180.degree. F. to a storage stable moisture content of less than 12% by total weight. Dehydrated products ranging in size from 1/16" thick slices to 3/4" dice produced by this dehydration process reconstitute in less than about 15 minutes with an amount of water equivalent to at least 85% of the previously removed moisture.

Abstract: A process is described to provide an improved instantized parboiled rice that maintains the texture, appearance and flavor characteristics of eating quality parboiled finished rice product.

Abstract: Breakfast cereals are sweetened by treating cereal grains or at least one cereal grain fraction such as bran, with enzymes comprising glucoamylase and glucose isomerase to produce fructose while retaining cereal particle discreteness or integrity. Enzymatic treatment with alpha-amylase may be initiated prior to, during, or after cooking. The enzymatically treated, cooked cereal grains are formed into breakfast cereal shapes and the enzymes are inactivated to provide a shelf-stable cereal product. The cereal products exhibit a sweet, pleasing complex-honey-like taste and aroma. Producing fructose provides a greater level of sweetness for a given amount of starch conversion into low molecular weight reducing sugars such as mono- and di-saccharides. In achieving a given level of sweetness, more starch or high molecular weight dextrins may be retained for their matrix forming ability or for improved machineability of the enzymatically treated cereal grains into breakfast cereal shapes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for parboiling rough rice, which process includes: (1) soaking the rough rice; (2) subjecting the soaked rough rice to a first value of microwave energy to partially gelatinize the starch in the rice and raise its water content; (3) draining free water, if any, from the treated soaked rough rice; and (4) subjecting the drained rough rice from (3) to a second level of microwave energy to effect substantially complete gelatinization and to lower the rough rice water content.