Masa corn-based food products and method of preparing
US6001409A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S426/808
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Corn-based products having a masa flavor, such as tortilla chips and taco shells, and soft tacos are produced using ground corn. The crisp corn based food products have a masa flavor and color, a crisp texture, and chip-like appearance without the gritty, hard texture associated with conventional tortilla chips or taco shells made by steeping whole corn kernels. The liming of continued corn particles reduces steeping time, develops masa flavor, and reduces tackiness to provide a cohesive dough which can be machined in a tortilla sheeter/cutter. Substantially uniform hydration of a coarse ground corn component, such as corn meal, is achieved by admixing and heating the coarse ground corn component with water and lime to at least substantially hydrate the coarse corn particles without substantially gelatinizing the corn starch. The hydrated coarse component may then be subjected to temperatures above the gelatinization temperature to partially gelatinize the corn starch. A fine ground starchy component is admixed and heated with the hydrated course ground component before, after, or simultaneously with gelatinization of the hydrated coarse ground corn component to form a machinable d…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.