Abstract:
The present invention relates to a soybean pretreatment method, which includes the steps of cooking soybeans to inhibit anti-nutrients and/or eliminate anti-nutrients contained therein and drying the cooked soybeans to a water content of less than 8% while keeping the volume expansibility of soybeans at a level of at least 300%. The soybean pretreatment method may provide a fast soy milk making process.
Abstract:
A method for the rapid continuous mashing and cooking of grains, legume pulses, corn kernels, seeds or the like, as a stage in the production of a food product, said method including the steps of: introducing said grains, legume pulses, corn kernels or the like into a continuous throughput high-shear mixing/cooking device in which said materials are heated at a pressure of up to 40 Bar and to a temperature of between 100°C and 200°C and are then expelled from said device and cooled to a target temperature for storage or further processing.
Abstract:
This invention is directed to process for the production of edible beans, comprising the addition of an organic acid to the conditioning water, to the cooking water, or to both, which will provide a premium quality dehydrated bean. The beans of this invention are easy to prepare and will provide the same amount of finished beans as dry bag beans. The beans of the invention will have significantly fewer loose skins and free meats than currently available dehydrated beans. Further, the dehydrated beans of the invention will have a color similar to that of canned or dry bag beans.
Abstract:
A process for significantly increasing the rate of hydration of food crop seeds, such as brown and wild rice, without loss of the nutritious and beneficial portions of the seeds, is disclosed. In this process, the seed of interest is bombarded with an abrasive particulate, which is preferably entrained in a pressurized stream of gas, sufficient to create microperforations in the water resistant outer coat of said seed. These microperforations in the treated seed significantly increase the rate of hydration of the seed and hence decrease cooking time accordingly. Moreover, this process effects improved hydration without removing any significant portions of the outer coat or layers of the seed which lie underneath the outer coat.
Abstract:
A process for producing reconstitutable, dehydrated, whole lentils which includes providing a quantity of uncooked, dried lentils, tempering the lentils by immersion in water (18), draining excess water from same, allowing the lentils to stand for a time sufficient to acquire a moisture content substantially equilibrated throughout the lentils, cooking said lentils in a steam environment for a period of time sufficient to soften them (20), and passing said lentils through a gap between two smooth rollers such that the pericarp outer covering is cracked without penetrating the cotyledon inner seeds (48). Depending on the chosen size of the gap, either no cotyledon inner seed is exposed or up to one millimeter of seed can be exposed. The resulting lentils are then dehydrated (50) and can be easily reconstituted as a ready-to-eat food product.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for controlling the movement of a food product in a container is described. The apparatus can be cleanable, portable, and fully automated. It can include a main container for holding the food product and one or more other containers for holding a substance, such as liquid. The main container can be moved between the one or more other containers so that the food product is immersed in the substance (e.g., liquid) in the one or more other containers. Any of the containers can be heated to heat the food product. This movement of the main container can be used run fully automated cycles (e.g., sprouting, rinsing, soaking, cooking, cleaning, etc.) that do not require user interaction.
Abstract:
A cooking and hydration system for whole seeds and pulses, including a dry friction cooker having a product inlet and a product outlet; a hydration system in fluid communication with said product outlet of said dry friction cooker, wherein said hydration system is airtight or includes an inert gas supply so as to maintain commercial sterility of the product being processed; a disintegrator mill in fluid communication with said hydration system, said disintegrator mill including a comminution screen defining a comminution screen portion within said disintegrator mill, a motorized mixer operatively coupled to a mixer blade in said comminution screen portion, and an disintegrator mill outlet; and optionally a pressure boosting hydration system in fluid communication with said disintegrator mill outlet and in fluid communication with a back pressure source applied to said pressure boosting hydration system through a back pressure valve.
Abstract:
Methods for producing a partially hydrated bean paste are disclosed. The methods include inputting a quantity of uncooked whole beans or split beans into an extruder comprising an inlet, one or more temperature zones in series downstream of the inlet, and a die downstream of the one or more temperature zones; rotating a screw assembly of the extruder to extrude the beans and force the beans through the one or more temperature zones, wherein a quantity of steam and a quantity of water is added to the beans as the beans are forced through each temperature zone; and forcing the beans exiting the final temperature zone of said one or more temperature zones in series through the die to produce a bean paste. The partially hydrated bean paste produced by the methods of the disclosure comprises a water content of at least about 45% by weight. The partially hydrated bean paste can be further processed into partially hydrated bean products, such as refried beans.
Abstract:
This invention is directed to process for the production of edible beans, comprising the addition of an organic acid to the conditioning water, to the cooking water, or to both, which will provide a premium quality dehydrated bean. The beans of this invention are easy to prepare and will provide the same amount of finished beans as dry bag beans. The beans of the invention will have significantly fewer loose skins and free meats than currently available dehydrated beans. Further, the dehydrated beans of the invention will have a color similar to that of canned or dry bag beans.
Abstract:
A leguminous food product which retains the shape of the legume from which it was made is formed from a variety of legumes such as pinto beans, red beans, black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, lentils and peas. The leguminous food product is crisp and crunchy when chewed and may be seasoned of flavored with salt, herbs, spices, etc. to achieve a variety of different desired tastes. The leguminous food prouct provides a nutritional source of protein and fiber which is low in fat and calories. The leguminous food product is formed by preconditioning (10), cooking (20), chilling (30), deshydrating (40), and enrobing (50) the legumes.