US 6,599,547 B1Granted

Method for preparing dehydrated food products

AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company

InventorsMaria Dolores Martinez-Serna Villagran, Srinivas Achanta, Eileen Marie Boyle, Jianjun Li, Donald Ray Patton

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Abstract

A method for preparing dehydrated fruits, vegetables and tubers, particularly potato products. The steps of the method include: boiling the whole raw edible product or slices or pieces of the raw edible product for a time sufficient to partially cook the starch and soften the tissue of the edible product; comminuting the cooked product; and drying the comminuted product. The raw edible product is preferably unpeeled or partially peeled. The resulting dehydrated product: (1) retains more Vitamin C; (2) has a lighter color; (3) has a higher percent of free amylose; (4) has fewer broken cells; and (5) has fewer degradation products than a corresponding product produced by conventional methods.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for drying a material to form a dehydrated product, comprising:

(a) providing a wet mash comprising the material to be dried;
and
(b) drying the wet mash wherein drying the wet mash comprises the steps of:
(i) providing a first energy source selected from the group consisting of conductive heat sources, convective heat sources, infrared energy sources, and combinations thereof;
(ii) providing a second energy source comprising a source of infrared energy;
(iii) forming a layer of the wet mash, the mash layer having a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface;
(iv) heating the first surface of the mash layer with the first energy source;
and
(v) heating the second surface of the mash layer with the second energy source;
wherein the mash is dried to a moisture content of less than about 50% by weight prior to heating the second surface of the mash layer;
and wherein at least a portion of the steps of heating the first and second surfaces of the mash layer are carried out simultaneously.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/553,874Filed 20 Apr 2000 · us provisional application
Priority: 26 Apr 1999
Granted: 29 Jul 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

A23B 7/022
Dehydrating; Subsequent reconstitution: with addition of chemicals before or during drying, e.g. semi-moist products
A23B 2/945
Thin-layer drying, drum drying or roller drying: drum- or roller-drying
A23B 7/02
Preservation of fruit or vegetables; Chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables: dehydrating; Subsequent reconstitution
A23B 7/028
Dehydrating; Subsequent reconstitution: thin layer-, drum- or roller-drying or by contact with a hot surface