Extrusion apparatus for the preparation of instant fresh corn dough or masa

An extrusion apparatus for the preparation of fresh corn dough or masa comprising:

• a feed hopper for receiving and admixing raw materials to be processed in suitable proportions to form the corn dough or masa
• an extrusion or kneading chamber provided with a screw conveyor having a discharge end, the screw conveyor being operable at a rotational speed suitable for providing shearing of said raw materials at a desired compression ratio;
• heating means surrounding the discharge end of the extrusion chamber and forming a cooking section for heating said raw materials to a desired temperature;
• a die located at the discharge end of the extrusion chamber and provided with a suitable orifice for discharging the raw materials at a suitable rate while at the same time providing a counterpressure to the screw conveyor in order to maintain a constant desired compression ratio throughout the extrusion chamber;
• a holding chamber connected to the discharge end of said extrusion chamber, the holding chamber having a discharge end and being provided with cooling means for cooling the holding chamber;
• and
• a discharge die having a discharge nozzle provided at the discharge end of the holding chamber.