A feed system for delivering raw ingredients to an apparatus for making food product comprises a first feed assembly and a first hopper. The first feed assembly is configured to dose and deliver the raw ingredients to the apparatus. The first feed assembly includes a first hopper that stores a first amount of the raw ingredients therein, a first metering unit that apportions a dose of the raw ingredients having a predetermined volume from the first amount of the raw ingredients in the first hopper, and a first dosing unit that receives and delivers the dose of the raw ingredients to the apparatus. The first hopper includes a hopper housing that stores the first amount of raw ingredients and a distribution unit configured to move the first amount of raw ingredients in the hopper housing to urge the raw ingredients into the metering unit.

A method of manufacturing a starch-based snack food pellet for manufacturing an expanded snack food, the method comprising the steps of: feeding a first starch ingredient into a cooking device; inputting mechanical and thermal energy into the cooking device so as to cook and gelatinise the first starch ingredient in the cooking device, thereby to provide a processed starch component; adding a potato starch ingredient comprising native potato starch to the processed starch component to provide a starch mixture; and forming the starch mixture into pellets by extrusion. Also disclosed is a starch-based snack food pellet for manufacturing an expanded snack food.

A method of manufacturing a starch-based snack food pellet for manufacturing an expanded snack food, the method comprising the steps of: feeding a first starch ingredient into a cooking device; inputting mechanical and thermal energy into the cooking device so as to cook and gelatinise the first starch ingredient in the cooking device, thereby to provide a processed starch component; adding a potato starch ingredient comprising native potato starch to the processed starch component to provide a starch mixture; and forming the starch mixture into pellets by extrusion. Also disclosed is a starch-based snack food pellet for manufacturing an expanded snack food.

Popcorn making systems for use with a hybrid popping process are disclosed herein. The hybrid popping process can involve using air to preheat corn kernels, then heating the preheated corn kernels in oil to pop them. In some embodiments, a popcorn making system includes a feed assembly, a preheating assembly, and a popping assembly. The feed assembly can output corn kernels at a feed rate. The preheating assembly can include a drum, a moving device disposed inside the drum, and an air mover and a heater external to the drum. The air mover and the heater can preheat corn kernels moving through the drum. The popping assembly can receive the preheated corn kernels from the preheating assembly, and can heat and thereby pop the preheated corn kernels in cooking oil.

Popcorn making systems for use with a hybrid popping process are disclosed herein. The hybrid popping process can involve using air to preheat corn kernels, then heating the preheated corn kernels in oil to pop them. In some embodiments, a popcorn making system includes a feed assembly, a preheating assembly, and a popping assembly. The feed assembly can output corn kernels at a feed rate. The preheating assembly can include a drum, a moving device disposed inside the drum, and an air mover and a heater external to the drum. The air mover and the heater can preheat corn kernels moving through the drum. The popping assembly can receive the preheated corn kernels from the preheating assembly, and can heat and thereby pop the preheated corn kernels in cooking oil.