Non-aqueous processing of rice
AssigneeUncle Ben's, Inc.
InventorsMarshall J. Myers, Lester A. Brooks, Jerry Opella, Clifford Campbell
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Abstract
A process which comprises treatment of rice grains by contact with a non-aqueous media, organic liquid or liquified gas which is substantially inert to water and the rice grain being treated, permitting only the transfer of heat to effectuate desired food processing such as gelatinization, parboiling, cooking, frying, baking, roasting or the like, and a product made by that process.
Claims37
A method for gelatinizing rice which comprises the steps of:
- (a) hydrating a rice sample by steeping said rice sample in water at a temperature and for a period of time, said temperature and period of time being sufficient for said rice to obtain a desired moisture content which permits a desired degree of gelatinization of starch in said rice;
- and
- (b) heating said hydrated rice without steaming by contacting said hydrated rice under pressure for a period of time with a non-aqueous process medium heated to and maintained at a temperature, said period of time and temperature being sufficient for heat contained in said process medium to be transferred to said rice in order to effect said desired degree of gelatinization of said starch, said process medium being suitable for use in food processing and comprising a non-aqueous organic liquid or liquified gas which is substantially inert to water.
A method for heat treating rice undergoing food processing which comprises heating a hydrated, uncooked rice sample by contacting said rice sample under pressure for a period of time with a non-aqueous process medium heated to and maintained at a temperature, said period of time and temperature being sufficient for heat contained in said process medium to be transferred to said rice in order to effect a desired degree of gelatinization of said rice, said process medium being suitable for use in food processing and comprising a non-aqueous organic liquid or liquified gas which is substantially inert to water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.