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 process for manufacturing flavors from the spent mash of a fermentation mixture is provided wherein the spent mash of the fermentation mixture after distillation is separated into two constituent portions, the thin stillage and the wet distillers' grains. The thin stillage portion is then combined with a base to adjust pH thereof to between about 7 and about 11. The pH-adjusted thin stillage portion is then cooked at a temperature between about 130.degree. F. and about 210.degree. F. for a period of about 4 to about 14 hours. The cooked solution is concentrated in an evaporator until about 30% wt. solids level is obtained. The product is then dried to about 5-about 10% wt. moisture content. The product obtained has different flavors, depending on the base added and the pH of the cooking step. If the base is sodium hydroxide, the product has a bland, sweet or yeasty flavor if the pH is 8.5, maple or caramel flavor if the pH is 9.5, and a cracker or nutty flavor if the pH is 10.5.

Abstract: Oxidation of cooked, dehydrated meat is inhibited by incorporating a combination of ascorbic acid and a Maillard meat flavor reaction product prepared from at least one reducing sugar and at least one sulfur-containing amino acid into the meat prior to dehydrating the meat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nut products which have at least a portion of their natural fat replaced with a low calorie fat-like material. This is achieved by partially defatting the nuts and then either contacting them or combining (i.e., mixing) them with a non-digestible or partially digestible triglyceride material which includes a triglyceride bearing one long chain fatty acid residue and two short chain fatty acid residues. The resulting nut products have the organoleptic character of full fat nut products but a much lower calorie content.

Abstract: Tomatoes are washed, sliced, sun dried on drying screens to a moisture content of 7% to 12% and mechanically chopped to 1/4" to 1/2" nodules which increases the moisture content from 18.5% to 21.8% and then packaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to ready-to-eat preserved edible fruit products which consists of natural fruit or fruit pieces which have been dehydrated to a soluble solids level of 40% to 60%, a moisture level of 35% to 55% and a water activity level of 0.75 to 0.90 and to processes of producing such products and foods containing such products. The product remains unfrozen at temperatures within the range of 0.degree. C. to -25.degree. C.

Abstract: A tea is made from a hard-fleshed, light-colored fruit such as the quince by a process of first grating the flesh of the fruit, heating the gratings to dry the grated strips and brown them slightly, and then grilling the mass on a hot, oil-less surface until the fruit turns a darker brown. The shredded mass is then removed from the heat. When steeped in boiling water, it produces a naturally sweet caffeine-free imitation of real tea.

Abstract: After a thermal treatment the products are subjected to an overpressure treatment of at least 10 seconds. Afterwards, an expansion is effected from the state of overpressure directly to the state of vacuum, wherewith the cells are opened such that the subsequent drying in the vacuum proceeds faster and a porous structure is arrived at.

Abstract: A method of producing non-hygroscopic solids from aqueous food solutions of sugars and proteins by mixing an aqueous solution which contains at least 45 weight percent solids comprising at least 20 percent of protein or sugar or mixtures thereof with additives comprising calcium oxide or hydroxide and a soluble phosphate. The resultant mixture is then dried by evaporation to reduce its moisture content to less than twelve weight percent. Depending on the intended use of the product, the mixture can be formed or shaped into the desired form and then dried, or the mixture can be dried and comminuted to produce a free-flowing granular product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing fish baits by subjecting raw fish or other marine or aquatic product to low temperature and low humidity for an extended period of time so that the body fluids pass out of the fish or marine product to leave a bait which has high longevity and which is resistant to detachment from a hook.

Abstract: A fat-absorbing substance is added to a fat-based food, such as cream and cheese, which then is dehydrated with microwave radiation under reduced pressure.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for measuring the heat transfer and the rate of heat transfer in thermal exchange processes such as food processing, thermosetting of plastics, and freezing processes. The apparatus comprises a target module and a data recording module. The target module comprises a target having a known mass and known thermal characteristics. The black body edge effects of the target are minimized by an edge shield positioned adjacent to the target. The edge shield is physically separated from the target so that conductive heat transfer between the two elements is minimized. The edge shield supports the target such that at least one surface of the target is exposed to the surrounding environment. A temperature sensor measures the change in temperature of the target. The data recording module may be insulated so that the calorimetric data may be recorded in extreme temperature environments.

Abstract: The amount of peroxide contaminants in H.sub.2 O.sub.2 bleached/dried vegetable material is reduced to a value on the order of less than about 1%, even approaching nil, by heat-treating such bleached/dried vegetable material at a temperature of at least 60.degree. C. in a confined atmosphere such that its amount by weight of water remains essentially the same during the heat-treatment.

Abstract: A process for producing an intermediate moisture vegetable or fruit product which is microbiologically stable at water activity levels within the range of 0.5 to 0.95 and is free from additives used to prevent microbial spoilage, which process consists essentially of the steps of partially dehydrating a vegetable or fruit to a moisture content of from 26% to 60% and thereafter holding the resultant product in an oxygen free or substantially oxygen free environment.

Abstract: Raw plums fed into a receiving tank and washer (1) are conveyed by a platform elevator (2) to a cord-type sizing device which enables their distribution toward two tray-carrying chains (5A and 5B). The trays are stacked on carts carried by platform elevators (8A and 8B). Once they have been filled, the carts can be transported to a cooking oven (9).

Abstract: For drying or ripening foodstuffs with unsaturated air, the surrounding air and the exhaust air are mixed in a proportion such that the degree of humidity of the inlet air is obtained with a minimum consumption of energy. A cooler (21), a heater (22) and a fan (29) are provided in the inlet air duct (20). A linking duct (35) extends from the exhaust air duct (32) to the inlet air duct (20). All three ducts contain individually adjustable butterfly valves (30), a second fan (33) being arranged in the exhaust air duct (32) before the branching off point of the linking duct (35). Temperature and humidity measuring sensors (38,39) for the surrounding air and the outer air determine the proportion of their mixture, exclusively aimed at ensuring the desired relative humidity of the inlet air. Preferably the exhaust air duct (32) has a second cooler (34), and the quantity of heat gain in each cooler (21,34) is used to heat the inlet air when its relative humidity has to be changed.

Abstract: A process is provided for drying products in divided form, particularly cereals, and an apparatus for implementing this process. This process is based on the principle of placing the material to be dried (cereal grains, food grains, food seeds, etc.) in suspension in a gaseous stream forming the hot drying fluid. In accordance with the invention, alternate steps are provided for drying and sweating the material during treatment, the sweating involving absence of drying fluid flow about the grains. An apparatus for implementing this process includes a casing with vertical axis in which is mounted at least one perforated horizontal plate supporting the fluidized bed, a blade being movable perpendicularly to the plate, two side hoppers with mobile bottoms being associated with each plate, a blade being mounted in each hopper.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a microwavable Farina is disclosed. The preferred method involves high temperature (300-600 Degrees F.), short time (30-180 seconds) heating of relatively dry farina (20% or less moisture, preferably 14.5% or less moisture) in direct contact with hot air, to achieve at least partial (10%+) gelatinization. The resulting product can be consumer prepared in a one-step microwave method without lumping.

Abstract: The edible baked composition delivers cholestyramine in a palatable, pleasant tasting form. Embodiments include a nutrition bar and a cookie. The composition is useful for the control of endogenous cholesterol levels in humans.

Abstract: The invention comprises a dough preform which when fried, produces a snack chip product having a predetermined level of surface bubbling. The dough preform has outer dough portions having substantially less moisture than inner dough portion. The dough preform is made by a process that includes sheeting a dough having from about 30% to about 55% moisture, removing a portion of the moisture from the dough sheet, at a greater rate from the outer dough portions than from the inner dough portion and then frying the partially dried dough prior to any significant equilibration of moisture between the outer and inner dough portions. The moisture can be removed from the dough sheet or preform by heat, air movement or a combination of the two.

Abstract: To supplement feeds and industrially produced mixed feeds with L-lysine, there are used aqueous L-lysine solutions having a L-lysine content between 30 and 80 weight percent, preferably between 50 and 70 weight percent. In comparison with crystallized L-lysine, they are clearly more stable and in equimolar amounts show the same L-lysine activity as the known forms presently offered.

Abstract: Substantially pure honey, molasses, or mixtures thereof can be dried using extrusion or thin film drying. An improved cooling technique can be used with the thin film drying method by applying the hot dried molasses and honey to a cold, rotating cylinder, and then collecting the cooled product from the cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed is the process for popping wild rice to make a puffy snack food or breakfast cereal which has a nutty flavor. The process includes curing, roasting and parching the wild rice in roasting ovens, sorting the wild rice into differing lengths and widths so it will have uniformity prior to popping, heating the wild rice on a conveying means at a temperature between 500.degree.-800.degree. F., and immediately removing the popped product to avoid scorching the product and creating a bad taste.

Abstract: A method for producing fruit chips comprises the steps of: (a) heating a peach or a melon in syrup having a Brix degree ranging from 12 to 30; (b) cutting the heated peach or melon into small pieces; (c) subjecting the pieces to a temperature conditioning treatment; (d) expanding the pieces subjected to the temperature conditioning treatment; and (e) heating the expanded pieces under a reduced pressure. This method makes it possible to provide chips of peach or melon which retain their inherent fresh taste and have excellent appearance without quality impairment to drying. Moreover, the chips are properly expanded and are crisp.

Abstract: A method for producing banana chips which retain the inherent taste of fresh banana, have excellent appearance without quality repairment due to drying and without any browning. This method comprises the steps of (a) cutting bananas into small pieces; (b) subjecting the pieces of bananas to a temperature conditioning treatment; (c) expanding the temperature conditioned pieces to bananas by quickly reducing the pressure from normal pressure to a prescribed reduced pressure; and (d) heating the expanded pieces of bananas under a reduced pressure; the time elapsed from the cutting steps (a) to the completion of reduction of the pressure in the step (c) being not more than 20 minutes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering prepared wet fruit and vegetable particles into centripetal confinement under subatmospheric pressure, contacting the particles with heated edible oil until they have been puffed and dehydrated to a hygroscopic condition, hardening dried particles by cooling with cold oil, centrifugally removing excess oil by rotating trays and discharging the hygroscopic particles into packages to prevent access of moisture during storage and shipment.A multiple unit system comprising pressure vessels that are fitted with a multiplicity of relatively shallow trays is arranged to receive a procession of prepared wet fruit particles and dehydrate and puff the particles to a hygroscopic condition, then to deliver the puffed particles to a packaging machine, to be sealed in moisture barrier packages. The dehydrating vessels with auxillary systems are described.

Abstract: Seedless raisins are automatically puffed in large quantities and dehydrated to two percent moisture content in a single-stage vacuum-fry system. Whole grapes, slices of apples, pineapples, banana, onion and the like in the fresh condition, are puffed and dehydrated to two percent moisture content without loss of natural color and flavor, in a two-stage vacuum-fry system.

Abstract: A process for producing a full-fat flaked soybean product having 18% soybean fat and a urease activity of 0.02-0.1 is provided. Raw soybeans with hulls in tact are subjected to steaming at temperatures greater than 220.degree. F., followed by flaking in a roller mill having grooved rollers. The flaked soybeans are thereafter dried in a forced air dryer by the alternating application of superheated air at temperatures in excess of 300.degree. F. and cooled to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method of forming solid pellets from lipids which are normally liquid or semi-solid at ambient temperatures is disclosed. A suspension of a coagulant in a lipid is formed. Water is admixed to form an emulsion which is then separated into discrete portions. The discrete portions are contacted with a hardening agent and then dried under controlled conditions to form the resulting solid pellets which can contain up to 95 percent or more of the lipid.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of vegetable raw material such as soy beans is disclosed wherein the vegetable raw material is subjected to one of the following: (1) an extraction step, (2) a compressing step, and (3) an extraction step and a compressing step. In addition to one of the three aforementioned procedures, the vegetable raw material is also subjected to a thermal conditioning step in which the material is heated to a temperature above 100 degrees Celsius and a pressure above atmospheric pressure in an oxygen-free atmosphere. According to the process of the present invention, the thermal conditioning step is carried out at a pressure of 2.0 to 25 bar for a time period of between 0.1 and 5 seconds and, after the time period, the process calls for suddenly releasing the pressure, moving the heated material into an oxygen-free zone, and cooling the heated material to a temperature below 100 degrees Celsius in the oxygen-free zone.

Abstract: A method of drying raw meat is disclosed wherein the meat is predried by a deep frying treatment under a vacuum and is then vacuum freeze-dried.

Abstract: An infrared dehydrator unit for minced fish to produce an edible fish product. The unit is constituted by a gas-fired infrared heater provided with a refractory body having a radiation horn from which infrared rays are projected into the interior of a tank containing a load of minced fish to be dehydrated. The tank is provided with an agitator acting to pick up and expose all pieces of the load to the rays to effect dehydration thereof. The radiation pattern of the horn is such as to confine the projected rays to the exposed pieces of the load and to avoid striking and heating the sides of the tank. In this way, scorching and sticking of the agitated pieces when they make contact with these side walls are prevented. As a consequence, the dehydrated pieces are of substantially uniform quality and waste thereof is obviated.

Abstract: A segmenting and dehydration process for fruits and vegetables with a primary application as a process for producing dehydrated filaments of sugar beets as a natural sweetener for use by confectioners, bakeries, breweries and other food processors. The beets are washed, shredded with a high-speed heated blade and immediately dried in a continuously sterile atmosphere that prevents bacteria contamination and growth and enzyme action which otherwise result in an unacceptably strong flavor in the finished product.

Abstract: Food particles are automatically puffed in large quantities and dehydrated to 2% moisture content in a single-stage vacuum-fry system. Whole grapes, slices of apples, pineapples, banana, onion and the like in the fresh condition, are puffed and dehydrated to 2% moisture content without loss of natural color and flavor, in a two-stage vacuum-fry system.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of odorless soybeans having a high nitrogen solubility index, wherein whole or rough-divided soybeans are placed on a belt-type carrier means in the form of a uniform thin layer, and are passed through a wet-heat atmosphere under normal pressure and at a temperature of about 60.degree. to 100.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a bland tasting full fat soy flour meal or grits (PSM) wherein the soybeans either whole or split are treated with live steam or water under atmospheric pressure at temperatures ranging between 85.degree. to 100.degree. C. for 21/2 to 20 minutes or for an equal or shorter period under steam pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure, the combination of time and temperature under steam pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure being such that the degree of blandness in the resultant PSM is about equivalent to the blandness which results in the stated treatment under atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A food processor (20), such as a smokehouse, cooker, dryer or the like, includes a food receiving chamber (22) having left and right ports (24 and 26) closed and opened by air flow control means provided by pivoted perforated louvers (44 and 46). For rightward horizontal air flow across flat-lying food products, the left set of louvers is closed such that air flow is restricted to passage only through the perforations or orifices (48) as an input port. The right set of louvers are open to provide lower resistance to and a higher volume of output air flow. This enables the discharge of the extra volume of water vapor due to moisture evaporating from the food in the chamber and in turn enables uniform air flow circulation and food processing without the accumulation of water vapor and consequent increased humidity in the chamber which would otherwise retard drying.

Abstract: Blood is supplied continuously from a blood collecting vessel to a stirrer through a pump located at the bottom of the vessel. Vapor in the form of heated live steam is sprayed against the blood in the stirrer to coagulate a protein in the serum. The blood containing the coagulated protein and water, and other substances are dehydrated to form a solid product containing water. This product is divided into fine particles, and these particles are dried to form blood powder having a water content of about 15%.

Abstract: A method of producing a dehydrated food product capable of rehydration to produce reconstituted food of good quality which comprises applying microwave radiation to the food received in a container with a lid, or which comprises rotating a container in which the food is received and applying microwave radiation to the food received in the container. The dehydrated food product produced in accordance with the above methods is useful as an ingredient for use in instant food and as snack food.

Abstract: Moist vegetables (2) undergo at least one pressing operation (3) and are introduced into a drier (9) of which the heater elements are fed with vapor recompressed by a compressor unit (20). The juice (4) from the last pressing operation acts as the cold fluid in an evaporator (5) of which the tube stack is fed by the mixture of air and vapor (10) issuing from the moist vegetables being dried. The vapor (6) produced by the evaporator (5) feeds the compressor unit (20). The concentrated juice (7) is used to re-steep the moist vegetables (2) before they enter the pressing zone (3).

Abstract: The process of staling of starch based food products, including baked or extruded breads and cooked pasta or rice, can be accelerated over the conventional method of holding at room temperature by use of a time-temperature-moisture protocol whereby, for example, freshly baked or extruded bread is cooled and subsequently heated to allow the formation of a unified crystalline structure characteristic of staled bread.

Abstract: A dehydrating and water-retaining sheet comprising a water-absorbing agent, a wetting agent having a water-absorbing property, and a water-permeable membrane, in which the water-absorbing agent and the wetting agent are at least partially wrapped together in the water-permeable membrane.

Abstract: A process for making a food product having a high protein content of good nutritional profile and substantially without fiber, fats, or oils from grain that has been malted and subjected to a mashing operation to remove fermentable sugars. The grain so treated is dried by microwave heating and is subjected to liquid nitrogen to reduce the temperature of the grain greatly while subjecting the grain to mechanical action to remove the husks. The fats and oils are removed by a solvent, after which the remaining granular material may be ground to a flour.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a highly expanded, porous oat cereal product having a density of below about 12 ounces per 121.5 cubic inches comprising the steps of:a. classifying an oat flour to separate out a low .beta.-glucan oat flour with a .beta.-glucan content of less than about 3.3%,b. cooking a mix comprising the low .beta.-glucan oat flour wherein the low .beta.-glucan oat flour comprises at least about 55% of cereal flour in the mix,c. expanding and shaping the cooked mix into a shaped cereal product,d. heat setting the shaped cereal product, ande. drying the heat seat cereal product to a moisture content at which it is structurally stable.

Abstract: The desolventizing of solvent-wet extraction residue which is obtained in the extraction of vegetable material such as soybean, rape, nut and other kernel or seed material etc. with organic solvents, such as hexane, benzine etc., is effected in a continuously operating multistage or multi-compartment system of specific construction by means of superheated steam or a fluid containing superheated steam. In this, at least 45%, but particularly 100%, of the superheated steam is introduced below the lowermost bottom plate, which serves exclusively to distribute the steam, and the steam is conducted in opposition to the solvent-wet material. The temperature of the escaping vapors is maintained at about 66.degree.-68.degree. C. (150.8.degree.-154.4.degree. F.). The apparatus is equipped with double bottoms (3) which are steam heated (6') and the bores of which are formed by a plurality of individual distance pieces or spacers (12) interconnecting the upper and lower plates of the bottoms.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a free-flowing, dried, pulped and finished fruit puree product in the form of flakes which are readily reconstitutable to the natural fruit puree consistency. The process comprises the steps of (1) preparing a fruit puree by pulping and finishing a fresh fruit so as to remove the skins and core materials therefrom: (2) adding an amount not more than about 11.0 wet weight percent crude fiber selected from the group consisting of fruit skins, fruit core materials free of seeds and pits, and mixtures thereof effective to render the fruit puree resistant to thermal set; (3) while maintaining the total sugar content of the puree at not more than about 80.0 percent and the ratio of the total sugar content to insoluble solids within the range of from about 5.0:1.0 to about 13.0:1.10; and (4) drying the fruit puree in the form of free-flowing flakes having resistance to thermal set.

Abstract: .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester II type crystals consisting of two types of crystals, II.sub.A and II.sub.B type, which interconvert from one to the other depending upon the equilibrium moisture content of the crystals, wherein one type of crystal, II.sub.a, exhibits X-ray diffraction peaks at angles of diffraction of at least 20.6.degree., 21.2.degree., 5.0.degree. and 11.1.degree., and the other type of crystal, II.sub.B, exhibits X-ray diffraction peaks at angles of diffraction of at least 15.2.degree., 11.1.degree., 19.6.degree. and 4.5.degree., as measured by X-ray diffractometer using CuK.sub..alpha. radiation and wherein the equilibrium moisture content of either of the crystals at a relative humidity of 78% is not higher than about 3%.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the salting and drying of cleaned and prepared fish, or for the drying of salted fish, by means of a fluidized bed of salt particles suspended within heated and dried air. Split fish, fish fillets, shaped portions of minced fish or whole fish are placed in apertured enclosures which are suspended within a chamber in which a fluidized salt bed has been established, and are conveyed through the fluidized salt bed across the interior of the chamber and exposed to the fluidized salt bed until the desired degree of drying and salting of the fish has been achieved.

Abstract: A method of producing a nutritionally dense, freeze dried food item usually n bar form in which uncooked food ingredients are mixed together and then cooked until about 40% to about 60% of the water content is removed by evaporation. Then the partially dried mixture is formed into the desired shape, then frozen and dehydrated to a moisture level which would produce a shelf-stable product. The freeze dried bars are packaged in impermeable containers. Food bars prepared by this method rehydrate faster and to a greater extent than food bars prepared by processes incorporating a compression step.

Abstract: An infrared dehydrator unit for minced fish to produce an edible fish product. The unit is constituted by a gas-fired infrared heater provided with a refractory body having a radiation horn from which infrared rays are projected into the interior of a tank containing a load of minced fish to be dehydrated. The tank is provided with an agitator acting to pick up and expose all pieces of the load to the rays to effect dehydration thereof. The radiation pattern of the horn is such as to confine the projected rays to the exposed pieces of the load and to avoid striking and heating the sides of the tank. In this way, scorching and sticking of the agitated pieces when they make contact with these side walls are prevented. As a consequence, the dehydrated pieces are of substantially uniform quality and waste thereof is obviated.