Method for producing a dehydrated whole food product

USRE41885E1 · kind E1 · reissue

Inventor

• Geoffrey Margolis · Bussigny, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 16, 2008
• Grant date: Oct 26, 2010
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

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.