Method for preparing flavored unpopped popcorn kernels
AssigneeTastemaker
InventorErnst Graf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for preparing flavored unpopped popcorn kernels is disclosed involving dehydrating unpopped popcorn kernels to produce partially dehydrated kernels having retained sufficient moisture for popping and having an increased tendency to absorb an aqueous flavor liquid. Upon coating or soaking the kernels with flavor liquid and drying, popping of the kernels results in a flavored popcorn. The method provides for a low-fat or no-fat popcorn product.
Claims20
A method for preparing flavored unpopped popcorn kernels comprising
- dehydrating unpopped popcorn kernels for a period of time sufficient to produce partially dehydrated kernels having retained sufficient moisture for popping and having an increased tendency to absorb an aqueous flavor liquid, and
- absorbing said aqueous flavor liquid into said partially dehydrated kernels to produce flavored unpopped popcorn kernels.
A method for preparing flavored unpopped popcorn kernels comprising
- vacuum drying unpopped popcorn kernels for a period of time sufficient to produce partially dehydrated kernels having retained sufficient moisture for popping and having an increased tendency to absorb an aqueous salt solution,
- soaking said vacuum treated kernels with the salt solution,
- removing excess solution from said kernels and
- drying to form free-flowing unpopped kernels.
The method of claim comprising the additional step of coating said dried free-flowing kernels with a thin layer of vegetable oil.
A method of preparing essentially fat-free flavored unpopped kernels comprising
- vacuum drying unpopped popcorn kernels for a period of time sufficient to produce partially dehydrated kernels having retained sufficient moisture for popping and having an increased tendency to absorb an aqueous flavor liquid,
- coating said vacuum treated kernels with the liquid containing a salt and flavor, and
- drying to form free-flowing unpopped kernels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.