APPLICATION
Coating of nuts with a slurry then roasting
A dry-roasted nut is a nut delivering an extra crunch thanks to the addition of a relatively coarse and flavoured layer. The process is easy to implement in small pans and to scale up in large industrial lines.
BASE
Core products
The core is a nut – typically peanuts. Medium to large sizes are preferred as coating does not essentially increase the size of the nut.
Nuts such as cashews, almonds are used in premium mixes.
RECIPE
Ingredients
The raw nuts are primarily coated with a slurry playing the role of a glue.
This slurry is made of hydrocolloids which have swelling, filming and adhesive properties such as:
- Gum arabic
- Pre-cooked starch
- Modified starch
- Natural swelling and filming ingredients
Then a flavoured powder mix is added.
Again, the mix is made of powders combining adhesive, filming and flavouring properties:
- Salt
- Taste enhancers such as glutamate, yeast extract
- Heat-resistant flavour or ingredient developing flavour when exposed to heat
- Native flour or modified starch
Due to the extent of different ingredients, the flavoured mixes are usually supplied ready-to-use by specialist producers.
PROCESS
How does it work?
It is a batch or continuous operation depending on the size of the batch and flavour range.
The process may vary to obtain a specific aspect such as with the Japanese-style snacks: after the biscuit forming and roasting, the nuts are coated with a starch solution. After drying, it displays a shiny surface. Visibles can be included in or stuck with the solution: spices, herbs, algues.
Due to the difficulty to handle a mass of liquid- and powder-coated product, the process is best run continuously.
It allows for more even dispersion and roasting together with lesser damage of the nuts. The coating sequences run as follows
1.
Preparation of the slurry by dilution/heating of a powder in water (10 to 40 % dry ingredient depending of the hydrocolloid)
2.
Coating of the nuts with the fluid slurry
3.
Addition and coating on the wetted nuts with the flavoured powder mix
4.
Dry-roasting in an oven until a crispy layer develops on the nuts
5.
Cooling before packaging
PROCESS
Coating system
The successive liquid and powder applications can occur batchwise or in a continuous way.
The slurry is simply dripped over the nuts and dispersed by the motion.
The flavoured powder mix is dosed and dispersed with a vibrating scarf plate.
As the powder tends to set quickly on the wet surface and form agglomerates, it is recommended to disperse the powder finely and progressively over the nuts.
In a simplified version, the process applies to the coating of sunflowers seeds to obtain a favourite Spanish treat : the “Pipas”. The solution is a glue made of cooked starch onto which salt is added before roasting.
PROCESS
Coating system
The successive liquid and powder applications occur in a pan, or a continuous rotary tumbler or screw coater.
PRODUCT EVALUATION
How do you measure your success?
Key quality features
The product is a combination of features
Core
Choice of standard or premium nuts to enhance the taste.
Coating
Crunchiness, heat-stable or developping flavour and colour combination, degree of roasting.
Operation
Limited nut fines, skin, coating residue, lumps all along the process
Key quality parameters
Some aspects of this type of coating are critical
Slurry
Viscosity (thickness) and filming property of the slurry,
Powder
Particle size of the powder to enhance the adhesion without causing lumps
Operation
Timely and quantitative control of the liquid and powder additions to prevent excessive humidity or agglomeration
Roasting time and temperature profiles to remove moisture while preventing burning.