Method and system for producing a dehydrated whole food product
US7029716B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23L11/05
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for producing a reconstitutable dehydrated food product, an apparatus for producing such a product, and a product produced thereby are described. The method calls for using a stationary vessel to separately hydrate at least two batches of raw beans with circulating water, as well as a second stationary vessel to separately pressure cook the hydrated beans using direct steam injection with minimal agitation. A first batch is then chopped and sized, and then formed into a generally flat, preferably ribbed sheet of texturized composition. The latter is then dried and broken into chunks. The second batch of beans is kept whole and, once cooked, is dried utilizing a combination convection/microwave heating chamber in such a way as to preserve the integrity of the beans. The dried whole beans are then added to the first batch of beans, and preferably, to the chunks produced therefrom.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.