A line for heating, drying, disinfecting, pasteurizing and/or sterilizing a substance with an apparatus that includes at least one, preferably a multitude, solid-state radio frequency source(s) and a further heat treatment apparatus. A method for heating, drying, disinfecting, pasteurizing and/or sterilizing a substance with an apparatus that includes at least a solid-state RF energy source microwave heating step and a further heat treatment step.

A meat aging chamber suitable for residential or portable use is provided. An aging apparatus comprises a refrigerated aging cabinet having a climate created by environmental apparatus. A server in a cloud resource communicates with a control circuit in the aging apparatus and with a portable interactive device. In a setup mode the portable interactive device communicates with a control circuit in the aging apparatus via a communications interface to identify the user to the control circuit. In an operating mode the communications interface enables communication between the cloud resource and the control circuit. A sensor module provides current values to the cloud resource for controlling operation in accordance with a software program embodying the aging protocol. The cloud resource can inform the smartphone of aging progress and alarm conditions. Physical features enable embodying the functions of a commercial aging chamber in a residential sized unit.

A meat aging chamber suitable for residential or portable use is provided. An aging apparatus comprises a refrigerated aging cabinet having a climate created by environmental apparatus. A server in a cloud resource communicates with a control circuit in the aging apparatus and with a portable interactive device. In a setup mode the portable interactive device communicates with a control circuit in the aging apparatus via a communications interface to identify the user to the control circuit. In an operating mode the communications interface enables communication between the cloud resource and the control circuit. A sensor module provides current values to the cloud resource for controlling operation in accordance with a software program embodying the aging protocol. The cloud resource can inform the smartphone of aging progress and alarm conditions. Physical features enable embodying the functions of a commercial aging chamber in a residential sized unit.

The present invention includes a method and food product made by at least partially enclosing a food product with a water-permeable membrane; and contacting a brine or sugar solution with a water activity sufficiently high to draw water molecules across the water-permeable membrane and away from the food product to preserve the food.

The present invention includes a method and food product made by at least partially enclosing a food product with a water-permeable membrane; and contacting a brine or sugar solution with a water activity sufficiently high to draw water molecules across the water-permeable membrane and away from the food product to preserve the food.

Apparatus and related methods for adding increased functionality to a food dehydrator through the use of stackable drying trays that define a circulation plenum during operation and then nest within one another during disassembly so as to reduce an overall storage size of the food dehydrator. The food dehydrator can further include a base portion having a removable splash guard to prevent the introduction of liquids or solids into a mechanical space within the base portion.

A method for freeze-drying food products that includes a probiotic composition for the mitigation, inhibition, and/or exclusion of microorganisms.

A method of making a porous, dehydrated food product comprises subjecting a food product to pulsed electric field treatment to form pores in the cell membranes of the food product, freezing the treated food product, and exposing the treated frozen food product to microwave radiation in a vacuum chamber at a pressure that is less than atmospheric and at which the boiling point of water is above 0 C., causing the frozen food product to thaw and water to evaporate to produce the porous, dehydrated product. The process is faster than freeze-drying and consumes less energy. The pulsed electric field treatment does not result in structural damage to the product, despite the thawing of the frozen product during the drying process.

The present invention relates to a method for the application and implantation of starter cultures in products of animal origin for curing same, which comprises: a) introducing one or more starter cultures of Staphylococcus and yeasts in a whole muscle product of animal origin by means of sprinkling, tumbling and massaging; b) subjecting said product after step a) to maturation treatment with heat and humidity to favor starter culture growth; d1) freezing the product after step b), stopping the starter culture biological activity; and d2) cutting or slicing the frozen product; and d3) subjecting cutted or sliced product to a rapid drying process for between 30 and 120 minutes; and e) packing the dried product of animal origin.

The present invention relates to a method for the application and implantation of starter cultures in products of animal origin for curing same, which comprises: a) introducing one or more starter cultures of Staphylococcus and yeasts in a whole muscle product of animal origin by means of sprinkling, tumbling and massaging; b) subjecting said product after step a) to maturation treatment with heat and humidity to favor starter culture growth; d1) freezing the product after step b), stopping the starter culture biological activity; and d2) cutting or slicing the frozen product; and d3) subjecting cutted or sliced product to a rapid drying process for between 30 and 120 minutes; and e) packing the dried product of animal origin.