Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooking corn is disclosed whereby corn particles are immersed in water in a cooking vessel to form a mass of corn particles, and the water is circulated throughout said mass. The temperature of the mass is raised and the corn particles agitated by directing steam, from a steam chamber, into said mass by deflecting said steam radially outwardly through perforated side walls in the steam chamber. The steam flow is then stopped whereafter the water circulation is stopped and cooked particles of corn are obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a vermicelli product by kneading a mixture of water and vermicelli material in the presence of compressed steam so as to elevate the temperature of the vermicelli material to a temperature of 50.degree. C. within a period of 15-60 seconds and continuing steam kneading until the temperature of the vermicelli material is elevated to at least 90.degree. C.

Abstract: The cooking process comprises the steps of providing a food treatment chamber equipped with a vapor pervious conveyor; preparing a moving stream of a process vapor at a temperature having a lower range of between 165.degree. F. to 212.degree. F.; circulating the stream along the conveyor; injecting water vapor into the moving stream of process vapor and supplying heat to the moving stream to control the temperature and moisture content of the process vapor; placing the food product in discrete pieces upon the conveyor; and moving the product continuously in its original position on the conveyor through the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A flat bar of precooked stable hard candy having a low moisture content which is rapidly meltable to form a brittle, non-sticky glaze coating on a confection or food item and having good shelf life and packaging characteristics with the hard candy bar having a generally planar main body secion provided with spaced supporting projections extending downwardly a short distance from the lower surface thereof and a depending skirt section extending downwardly a like distance along the entire periphery of the bar to form an enclosure below the main body section for retaining fluid and melted syrup during heating thereof in a cooking vessel so as to effect more rapid melting of the bar without burning or scorching the hard candy. In some embodiments the hard candy bar is provided with means for introducing water into the enclosure through the upper surface of the main body section.

Abstract: A food product, such as fruit or vegetables either whole or in pieces, or in the form of a pulp, or meat in pieces, is preserved by feeding hot liquid or steam into a contained body of the product to sterilize the product. Some liquid is retained in the product which is sealed in a container under aseptic conditions. The sterilization preferably takes place in the container in which the sterile product is ultimately sealed.

Abstract: A bland protein product having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared from a dough-like mixture of proteinaceous material and water. The proteinaceous material can comprise relatively low protein content blends or even single ingredients such as soy flour. The process comprises continuously extruding the protein dough in the form of a relatively thin sheet of semi-rigid protein material into a first confined treating zone while simultaneously subjecting the thin sheet in the extrusion die to externally applied heat to texturize both surfaces of the sheet before it enters into the first confined zone. A stream of heated gas and condensables is introduced into the first confined zone to buoy up, flex and help propel the sheet of surface - texturized protein through the confined zone where additional texturization takes place.

Abstract: A method of preparing a processed food material from soybean comprising soaking whole grains of soybean in water, heating the grains at 80 - 200.degree. C with superheated steam for less than a minute to deactivate the physiologically active substances in the soybean, crushing the grains thus treated with water followed by further subdividing into finer particles with a homogenizer to completely destroy the soybean cells, and adding a protein coagulating agent to precipitate the protein together with fat and fibrin.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a method for preparing a processed food material from soybean which tastes good, has no soybean odor, and is smooth in mouth.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSoybean contains an enzyme which, on being activated, reacts with oil in the soybean grain. The reaction product causes the soybean odor.Soybean also contains tripsin-inhibiting substances and oligosaccharides, which may lead to a flatulence.

Abstract: A continuous, in-line, method and apparatus for cooking process cheese products. Raw material, comprises a uniform blend of cheese with appropriate additives, for introducing into a pressurized cooking zone. Steam is injected directly into the raw material in a confined region to heat and melt the raw material into a molten mass. The molten cheese mass is delivered from the cooking zone to a mixing zone where the steam is mixed with the cheese and the temperature of the molten cheese mass is equilibrated. The molten cheese is delivered from the mixing zone to a low pressure cooling zone where deaeration and cooling of the molten mass is effected via a sharp reduction in pressure.

Abstract: Method for steam peeling produce in a pivotally mounted pressure vessel in which a bath of water is provided in the bottom of the vessel for receiving the produce charged to the vessel in a relatively impact-free manner. By pivoting the vessel the water bath is withdrawn prior to steaming the produce under pressure and then returned to aid in the discharge of the peeled produce.

Abstract: A bland protein product having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared from a dough-like mixture of proteinaceous material and water. The proteinaceous material can comprise relatively low protein content blends or even single ingredients such as soy flour. The process comprises continuously extruding the protein dough in the form of a relatively thin sheet of semi-rigid protein material into a confined treating zone while simultaneously subjecting the thin sheet in the extrusion die to externally applied heat to texturize both surfaces of the sheet before it enters into the confined zone. In the confined zone a stream of heated gas is directed at the thin sheet of surface-texturized protein to break off the leading segment of the sheet and further to propel the segments through the confined zone where additional texturization takes place. Finally, the protein segments are passed through a back pressure means at the end of the confined zone, and recovered in usable form.

Abstract: A bland texturized monofilament protein product having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared by forming an aqueous slurry of a protein material, injecting high pressure steam into the slurry to propel it through a confined treatment zone, centrifugally spinning the protein material into monofilaments, and recovering the textured monofilaments in a collection zone. Apparatus for performing this process comprises means for injecting steam into a protein slurry, means defining a confined treatment zone wherein the injected steam and protein are contacted, and means for centrifugally spinning the steam-treated protein material into monofilaments.

Abstract: A bland protein product having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared by forming a dough-like mixture of protein material and water, and extruding a continuous tubular shell of the protein dough, while simultaneously injecting steam into the interior of the tubular shell, whereby the tubular shell of protein is blown into discrete pieces of irregularly shaped protein material by the steam flow. The steam flow then propels the protein pieces into and through a confined treating zone in which further texturization is accomplished. Finally, the protein material is passed through a back pressure maintaining means and recovered in usable form. Apparatus for performing this process comprises an extrusion assembly consisting of a screw feed chamber communicating with an extrusion die assembly which produces a continuous tubular shell of extrudate. The extrusion die is provided with means for injecting steam into the interior of the tubular shell of extrudate formed.

Abstract: A bland protein product comprising large diceable chunks of texturized protein having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared by forming an aqueous slurry containing 40 to 50% of a protein material having a protein content of at least 70% on a solids basis, injecting steam into the slurry to propel it through a cooking tube containing a restriction means, passing the protein material through a pressure letdown pump at the discharge end of the cooking tube, and recovering the textured product in a collection zone. The injection steam pressure is chosen to maintain a product temperature of 310.degree. to 350.degree.F. and a back pressure of about 60 to 80 psi in the cooking tube. The protein material also may be subjected to further texturizing treatments after the pressure letdown pump. The process is particularly useful in the co-texturization of meat and vegetable protein mixtures. Apparatus for performing this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bland protein product having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared by forming an aqueous slurry containing 40 to 50% of a protein material having a protein content of at least 70% on a solids basis, injecting steam into the slurry to propel it through a cooking tube, passing the protein material through a back pressure valve at the discharge end of the cooking tube, and recovering the textured product in a collection zone. The injection steam pressure is chosen to maintain a product temperature of 310.degree. to 350.degree. F. and a back pressure of about 60 to 80 psi in the cooking tube. Between the back pressure valve and the collection zone the protein material is subjected to an agglomeration and stretching treatment accomplished by passing the protein and steam mixture through a restriction means, or by injecting a stream of cold water at right angles into the cooked protein and steam mixture, or by both of these steps. Apparatus for performing this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating finely divided materials with a treatment fluid (steam), particularly for conditioning oil containing vegetable raw materials in which one or more vibratory conveyors with a perforated bottom has treatment fluid introduced through at least one inlet opening under the perforated bottom. The larger particles formed by clotting during the action of the treatment fluid are pulverized by pulverizing members and an additional perforated plate. The conditioned materials are dried in hot air.

Abstract: A method of removing bitter flavor and pea flavor from a pea flour for addition to food systems comprising the steps of contacting the flour with steam for a time duration sufficient to debitter the pea flavor and cause the steam to take up volatiles and then leading off the steam and volatiles before a substantial cooked pea flavor develops.

Abstract: Aroma- and flavor-bearing substrates are separated into an aroma concentrate and a flavor concentrate by pulsing or applying in a continuous fashion wet steam to a zone containing the substrate. The substrate-containing zone is held under vacuum pressure and the flavor concentrate is collected in a first trap, while an aroma concentrate is collected in a second trap. In one preferred embodiment, the most volatile flavor and aroma bodies are collected and subsequently dissolved in a solution of solids (e.g., those obtained from further extraction of the substrate) and the solution is then frozen and freeze-dried to yield a highly stable dry aroma and flavor bearing product. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate comprises either coffee or tea.

Abstract: A steam pressure cooker is provided with a normally open drain valve connected to the bottom of the cooker pressure vessel and having a relatively large flow capacity to drain liquids and food particles. A separate exhaust pipe of restricted capacity is also connected to the vessel and controlled by a separate valve. Steam is supplied to the pressure vessel through an inlet source, and with the drain valve closed the restricted exhaust pipe allows pressure to rise in the vessel since flow through the restricted pipe is less than the inlet flow. Controls are provided for closing the main drain valve and the restricted exhaust pipe separately, in sequence, and these controls include a manually operable device which can be used to open the restricted exhaust pipe to depressurize the vessel independently of the automatic control of the cooker.

Abstract: The storage life of fresh meat normally subject to deterioration is extended by wrapping the meat in a first film which is permeable to a sterilizing agent but impermeable to bacteria, injecting a sterilizing agent through said first film for killing at least a substantial proportion of the bacteria on the surface of the meat, and then enclosing the sterilized meat in a second film which is substantially impermeable to oxygen for retarding aerobic bacterial growth.

Abstract: The present apparatus for skinning or peeling of produce comprises a rotatably mounted pressure vessel having a cover operable from within the vessel for sealing the vessel. The cover is pressure operated and permitted to fall open under the force of gravity upon pressure release. A pivoted latching pawl is provided in the pressure vessel for engaging the cover to hold it open. The pawl is also gravity operated to latch the cover in an open position. In the process for skinning or peeling produce, the pressure vessel is loaded with the produce, sealed and steam is introduced therein to rapidly increase the pressure and temperature within the vessel sufficiently so that a layer under the skin of the produce will come to a boil in response to pressure release. The pressure is maintained for a given period until the layer of the produce under its skin is sufficiently heated.

Abstract: A method is provided for making an omelet type egg product suitable for storage by freezing. Egg whites and egg yolks are agitated sufficiently to break the yolks and provide an egg mix. The moisture of the egg mix is adjusted and a predetermined amount of the egg mix is placed in a pan. The egg mix is heated while quiescent in the pan sufficiently to substantially cook the egg mix and set the egg mix to provide an egg product in the shape of the pan. The egg product is removed and is folded to provide an omelet type egg product. The folding of the egg product is effected in a particular manner and occurs within a predetermined period from the end of the heating step. The omelet type egg product may be stored under refrigeration conditions or may be frozen under particular conditions to provide a frozen type egg product that may be stored for an indefinite period of time.

Abstract: A pressure vessel arranged for use as a steam cooker and employing multiple outlet connections is disclosed. One of the outlet connections is located in the vessel floor and is of such flow capacity as to freely pass collected food particles, water and steam from the vessel. Another outlet connection is located high on a vessel wall and is of such flow capacity as to release steam from the vessel at a limited rate. The outlet connections together with a steam inlet are opened and closed in a controlled sequence in order that the functions of defrosting, cooking and vessel purging be accomplished in an improved reliable manner.

Abstract: Liquid is heated to a pasteurization temperature, pumped into a holding zone wherein the liquid is divided into a plurality of slugs and the slugs are then impelled through the holding zone by mechanical action, such as piston action, applied to each individual slug.A non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license in the invention herein described, throughout the world for all purposes of the United States Government, with the power to grant sublicenses for such purposes, is hereby granted to the Government of the United States of America.