Process for tempering and milling grain
AssigneeGeneral Mills, Inc.
InventorsSteven J. Leusner, John G. Roufs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of milling grain, comprising, prior to milling, heating a quantity of grain kernels to at least a glass transition onset temperature to form heated softened grain kernels is disclosed. With this method, it has surprisingly been found that moisture tempering, in most instances, is no longer required as a conditioning step for milling. Depending on the temperature to which the grain is heated, the texture of the grain kernel can be moved to a variety of textures, including, but not limited to, a more leathery or rubbery texture. In an alternative embodiment, the heat tempering step is preceded by a moisture tempering step. The method increases overall yield and improves control of the milling process.
Claims35
A method of milling grain, comprising:
- prior to milling, heating a quantity of grain kernels to at least a glass transition onset temperature to form heated softened grain kernels;
- measuring a moisture content of the quantity of grain kernels;
- and
- correlating the moisture content with a previously determined glass transition onset temperature.
A method of tempering raw kernels comprising:
- measuring a moisture content of cleaned raw kernels;
- correlating the moisture content with a glass transition onset temperature;
- presetting a radiant heat source to a desired level designed to heat the cleaned raw kernels to at least the glass transition onset temperature;
- and
- heating the cleaned raw kernels to at least the glass transition onset temperature to produce heat-tempered, cleaned raw kernels.
A method of tempering wheat kernels comprising:
- measuring a moisture content of cleaned wheat kernels;
- correlating the moisture content with a glass transition onset temperature;
- presetting a radiant heat source designed to heat the cleaned raw kernels to at least the glass transition onset temperature;
- and
- heating the cleaned wheat kernels to at least the glass transition onset temperature wherein heat-tempered, cleaned wheat kernels are produced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.