An apparatus for preparing a melon juice concentrate, such as watermelon juice concentrate, includes a finisher with brushes for separating melon flesh from melon rind including leaving at least 1/16 inch flesh on the rind and screens for separating juice from flesh. The apparatus also includes a steamer to reduce bacteria count on whole melon, a chopper for chopping melons into pieces less than about 16 inches square, an extractor for extracting juice from the flesh, and an evaporator for concentrating melon juice to form melon juice concentrate. The steamer includes a cylinder frame, steam jets directing steam through apertures in the cylinder frame at whole melon therein, and a motivator to move the whole melon along the cylinder frame. The apparatus can also process cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and other melon.

Method for pasteurizing almonds and other nuts with steam at atmospheric pressure. The amount of condensation on and the consequent water uptake of nuts is limited by pasteurizing the nuts in a heating chamber with a gaseous atmosphere including a steam mixture and forming a forced-convection path through the nuts. The limited water uptake maintains the quality of the nuts. A forced-convection steam cooker conveying food products on a foraminous conveyor belt forces the steam mixture through the nuts. A preheater preheats the nuts so that they can be pasteurized in the steam cooker at a temperature of between 85 C. and 99 C. to reduce the dwell time and increase throughput.

A produce treatment system includes a treatment chamber that includes an inlet. The produce treatment system also includes one or more temperature sensors mounted within the treatment chamber. The one or more temperature sensors generate one or more temperature readings. The produce treatment system also includes a steam generator. A processor of a computing system controls delivery of steam from the steam generator to the inlet of the treatment chamber based at least in part on the one or more generated temperature readings.

A pasteurization unit and process for pasteurization of products such as cannabis and hemp.

This invention proposes a method for prolonging the shelf life of perishable fruits and vegetables using a combination of non-destructive thermal and non-thermal sterilization techniques. Leveraging AI-based algorithms, it utilizes traceable data from the entire value and supply chain. This integration allows growers, processors, and traders to collect and analyze traceable data for informed decisions on product quality and safety, effectively minimizing spoilage and quality loss. The environmentally-friendly method uses AI for precise sterilization process control and monitoring, considering factors such as product characteristics and traceability data. This comprehensive approach enhances preservation, improves supply chain management, reduces food waste, and ensures food safety and quality in the fruit & vegetable industry.

Method for pasteurizing almonds and other nuts with steam at atmospheric pressure. The amount of condensation on and the consequent water uptake of nuts is limited by pasteurizing the nuts in a heating chamber with a gaseous atmosphere including a steam mixture and forming a forced-convection path through the nuts. The limited water uptake maintains the quality of the nuts. A forced-convection steam cooker conveying food products on a foraminous conveyor belt forces the steam mixture through the nuts. A preheater preheats the nuts so that they can be pasteurized in the steam cooker at a temperature of between 85 C. and 99 C. to reduce the dwell time and increase throughput.

Apparatus and methods for heat-treating almonds and other nuts and food products with steam at atmospheric pressure. The amount of condensation on and the consequent water uptake of almonds is limited by heating the almonds in a low-temperature gaseous atmosphere including a steam mixture and forming a forced-convection path through the almonds. The limited water uptake prevents the almond skins from blistering. A forced-convection steam cooker conveying food products on a foraminous conveyor belt the cooker forces the steam mixture downward through the food product along a portion of the cooker and upward along another portion of the cooker for a more uniform heat treatment.

Heat exchange devices, including aseptic cooler devices, and systems including same are provided. Methods of using heat exchange device are also provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides heat exchangers having an open chamber configuration and including a first section containing a cooling or heating media and a second section containing a food product. The first section includes a level detecting device that is configured to maintain a level of cooling or heating media in the first section, while preventing the cooling or heating media from pressurizing the first section. The open chamber configuration provides an air break at a top portion of the first section that ensures that the cooling or heating media entering the first section is at, or close to, atmospheric pressure.

The present invention discloses a method of sterilizing whole nuts includes pre-cooking said nuts in a pre-cooking unit to a core temperature T1 at a pressure P1 for a time t1, transferring said nuts to a sterilizing line, said sterilizing line adapted to permit the transport of said nuts through a sequence of process elements, said sequence of process elements comprising a reservoir, at least one feed pump, a consecutive arrangement of heat exchangers, and a filling machine and/or an aseptic tank, and sterilizing said nuts in said sterilizing line.