A characteristic of edible oil may be evaluated using a spectrometer. For example, optical reflectance data may be obtained from edible oil in situ in a frying apparatus housing the edible oil, the reflectance data corresponding to a specified range of infra-red wavelengths. A model profile corresponding to the characteristic being assessed may be obtained, such as from a repository housing a secured library of such profiles. The model profile may define a regression vector for use in transforming the reflectance data to generate a value corresponding to the characteristic being assessed. A criterion may be applied to the value to establish a simplified representation of the characteristic for presentation to a user for assessment of oil quality.

A method of producing a multicoated edible snack product comprising providing an edible core, applying a first layer over the outer surface of the edible core. The first layer is cooked to form a hardened first layer over the edible core. A second layer is applied over the hardened first layer, and cooked to form an expanded second layer. The hardened first layer provides a crunchy aspect to the snack product and the expanded second layer provides a soft exterior to the snack product when biting into the snack product.

Reduced cooking liquid usage deep fryers, particularly adapted to cooking fowl, as well as other articles. Cooking liquid storage and filtering apparatus. Heating element structure configured to reduce the overall height of a deep fryer. Food support apparatus which simplify food handling. Cooking vessel configurations configured to reduce cooking liquid usage. Volume displacement members which may reduce cooking liquid usage. Fry basket construction. Food support and containment structures. Cooking liquid overflow safety structures. Passive condensation exhaust filtering. Apparatus allowing the cooking of stuffing and/or other articles, while deep frying a fowl or other articles. Removable dual food support handles. Food support apparatus for deep fryers which deep fry only a portion of unitary food article at one time.

Processing apparatus, in which a product is fried in a frying oil, frying oil is pumped by a pump in a flow direction through a microwave chamber, the microwave chamber includes at least one solid-state radio frequency source, the frying oil is configured to flow out of the frying oil chamber towards the microwave chamber where the frying oil is heated and then the frying oil is configured to flow back into the microwave chamber, the flow direction of the of the frying oil in the frying oil chamber is the same as a flow direction of the product that is transported by the transport means, the processing apparatus includes a filter in the tube of the microwave chamber, and energy generated by the at least one solid-state radio frequency source to heat the frying oil depends on a desired temperature of the frying oil.

A multi-zone fryer (100) and method for preparation of fried food products (187) comprising an elongated cooking trough (105) for holding a volume of heated cooking oil (115), at least first and second rollers (106a, 106b), and a conveyor (110) arranged to extend and transport the food products in a direction from the first roller (106a) at an inlet end (120), along the bottom (121) of the trough to the second roller (106b) at an outlet end (122), wherein the elongated cooking trough (105) comprises at least a first and second cooking zone (140, 145), each cooking zone having oil level sensors (170,175,180,181) configured to co-operate and control an oil inlet control valve (184;184a) and an oil outlet control valve (185;185a) arranged in fluid connection with the trough (105) and an oil circulation system to ensure that a predetermined oil level is kept in the trough.

Edible fat-containing product comprising 30-99 wt. % of a fat phase, wherein the product further comprises 0.01-3 wt. % of a plant-based protein and 0.05-3 wt. % of a sugar, the remainder being an aqueous phase up to 100 wt. %, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the product, a method for its preparation and the use of sugar in an edible fat-containing product as a browning agent.

A food process line and method are provided for processing food in a food process line. The food process line includes at least two of the following process line stations: a food preparation station, cold store, pump station or forming station for a pumpable food mass, or a dry coater, wet coating device, fryer, heater or freezer for the discrete food products. In each process line station at least one process step is carried out, the process line station having one or more actuators and/or one or more sensors. The food process line comprises an interstation control system configured to control an actuator of a first process line station on the basis of data from a sensor of a second process line station.

The invention relates to minced meat analogue comprising the following components: (a) 30-80% by weight of the minced meat analogue of hydrated textured vegetable protein (TVP) pieces; (b) 20-45% by weight of the minced meat analogue of a binder emulsion containing the following ingredients: (b1) 8-50% by weight of the binder emulsion of liquid oil having a saturated fatty acid content of less than 30 wt. % (b2) 8-50% by weight of the binder emulsion of particles of solid fat having a saturated fatty acid content of more than 50 wt.; (b3) 25-70% by weight of the binder emulsion of water; wherein the combination of ingredients (b1), (b2) and (b3) constitutes at least 70 wt. % of the binder emulsion;
wherein the combination of components (a) to (b) constitutes at least 80 wt. % of the minced meat analogue.

A fryer and method for cooking food products is provided that automates the movement of baskets carrying the food products. The fryer includes a cooking chamber with a heating element located therein for heating cooking medium in the cooking chamber. The fryer also includes at least one vertical transport assembly that selectively engages with and moves the basket vertically into and out of the cooking medium. A horizontal transport assembly selectively engages with and moves the basket horizontally between different positions. The horizontal transport assembly hands off the basket to and from the vertical transport assembly, and first and second hooks on the horizontal transport assembly engage with front and rear receiving mechanisms on the basket to continuously maintain at least two points of contact with the basket. This allows for controlled pivotal movements of the basket when food products are to be added or removed from the basket.

Provided is a method for producing a noodle-like fried vegetable food product which is effectively prevented from damage such as cracking and breaking in a packaging step in the process of production of the noodle-like fried vegetable or during transportation and which, when reconstituted with hot water, has the texture of the original vegetable and can be eaten like noodles; and such a noodle-like fried vegetable food product. A method for producing a noodle-like fried vegetable food product according to one embodiment comprises forming a noodle-like vegetable by cutting a vegetable into a noodle-like shape; providing an oil frying container provided with a retainer; placing the noodle-like vegetable in the retainer of the oil frying container to form a mass of the noodle-like vegetable; and frying the noodle-like vegetable mass placed in the retainer with oil. The method further comprises compressing the noodle-like vegetable mass in the middle of the frying of the noodle-like vegetable mass with oil or immediately after the frying with oil.