Process for producing pumpable foodstuffs, in particular processed cheese
AssigneeA. Stephan und Sohne GmbH & Co.
InventorsFriedrich Otto, Albert Dubielzyk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process for producing pumpable foodstuffs, wherein raw foodstuffs such as raw cheese is pre-comminuted, mixed with further ingredients, thermally treated by steam injection, subsequently cooled and creamed or emulsified and then fed or passed to a further working or processing operation. The present invention further relates to an apparatus for producing pumpable foodstuffs, such as processed cheese, having a treatment apparatus for raw foodstuffs, a mixer, a device or unit for heating and subsequently cooling the cheese mass and having feed pumps for the cheese mass.
Claims35
A process for producing a flowable foodstuff comprising the steps of:
- a) comminuting and mixing a foodstuff to obtain a uniform, standardized mass of foodstuff;
- b) heating the uniform, standardized mass of foodstuff to a predetermined temperature by introducing steam and subjecting the mass of foodstuff to a condition of high turbulence, by rotating at speeds of between 1,000 and 4,000 rpm, the steam being introduced at a rate such that condensate from the steam gives off substantially all of its heat energy to the foodstuff;
- c) emulsifying the heated mass of foodstuff, and
- d) injecting steam in a superpressure range, at a steam pressure of up to about 8 bar, into the emulsified heated foodstuff in a flashing zone, thereby further heating the emulsified heated mass of foodstuff to a temperature of up to about 150.degree. C. and producing a flowable foodstuff.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.