A food processing vat is provided with a zoned heat transfer system that provides zoned temperature control to the vat. The zoned heat transfer system selectively transmits heat to or removes heat from different portions of a bottom wall and/or side walks) of the vat. A heat transfer fluid may be directed through the zoned heat transfer system along a flow path that is selected based on a target size and/or a target temperature of a batch of food product being processed in the vat.

The present invention relates to a method which allows to quick-freezing or freezing, and subsequently thawing, without inducing any damage or modification, milk derivatives particularly sensitive to such thermal treatments, due to their distinct ive chemical-physical characteristics. The present method is useful for preparing cream, ricotta, and mixtures thereof, as well as foods containing the same, which can be stored while keeping their characteristics intact. Finally, the present invention further relates to cream, ricotta, and mixtures thereof, as well as foods containing the same thus obtained, capable to retain the organoleptic and chemical-physical characteristics of the fresh product. Thus, the present invention concerns a method for preparing milk-derived products preferably based on cream, ricotta or mixtures thereof intended for quick-freezing or freezing in order to retaining the organoleptic and chemical-physical characteristics of the fresh product.

A system to control the conditions of an aging room, also known as a conditioned space, for products in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the products being dried, thereby controlling the amount of and rate of water or water vapor loss of the products and, therefore controlling its quality, the system also including target controls, a thermoelectric cooler and lighting controls.

A system to control the conditions of an aging room, also known as a conditioned space, for products in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the products being dried, thereby controlling the amount of and rate of water or water vapor loss of the products and, therefore controlling its quality, the system also including target controls, a thermoelectric cooler and lighting controls.

A method to produce cheese chips provides that cut cheese slices are frozen and then raised by means of rapid water evaporation due to the application of microwave and vacuum drying. The freezing step is preceded by drying and cooling, and the raised cheese chips containing cheese and flavourings are characterised in that their density does not exceed 0.46 g/cm.sup.3, the porosity does exceed 40%, and the crunchiness does exceed 4.

Disclosed is a method for making freeze-dried shelf-stable natural cheese products having a softer, smoother texture than that of conventional freeze-dried cheese. Products made by the method include shelf-stable cheese snacks.

A system to control the conditions of an aging room, also known as a conditioned space, for products in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the products being dried, thereby controlling the amount of and rate of water or water vapor loss of the products and, therefore controlling its quality, the system also including target controls, a thermoelectric cooler and lighting controls.

A system to control the conditions of an aging room, also known as a conditioned space, for products in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the products being dried, thereby controlling the amount of and rate of water or water vapor loss of the products and, therefore controlling its quality, the system also including target controls, a thermoelectric cooler and lighting controls.

A method that controls the conditions of a grow room in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point to control the vapor pressure deficit in the grow room in order to slow down or prevent condensation that may promote the growth of mold, mildew, or microbes on the plants, or to slow down or prevent condensation that may promote pest infestation on the plant.

The present invention relates to a food product which food product is frozen and thawed before consumption as well as to methods for preparing such a food product. The invention further describes production of an ice structuring protein (ISP) in high amounts.