The present disclosure concerns effervescent compositions and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the disclosed effervescent compositions are formed from an input blend comprising an acid and a base by granulating the input blend in a twin-screw processor. The granules formed from the input blend can be formed by an in situ granulating agent, which can be a portion of the acid that melts during granulation. In some embodiments, the effervescent compositions can be made using a twin-screw processor comprising an intake zone for receiving an input blend comprising an acid and a base; a granulation initiation zone for melting only a portion of the acid to serve as an in situ granulating agent; a granulation completion zone for granulating the input blend; and an outlet for discharging the granules.

A continuous flow dryer system according to various embodiments can include a source for supplying a material to be treated having a high moisture content, such as a distiller wet grain, a profile screw compression dryer, a profile screw, and a drive coupled to the profile screw for axially rotating the profile screw. The profile screw compression dryer includes an inlet for receiving the material for drying, which is fed therein in a controlled manner. The profile screw is provided within the housing of the dryer. The profile screw has a diameter that increases in dimension in a direction away from the inlet for increasing the compressive force applied to the material to assist with drying as the profile screw rotates and moves the material longitudinally along the profile screw to produce a final product, for example, a distiller dried grain for use as an animal feed.

A continuous flow dryer system according to various embodiments can include a source for supplying a material to be treated having a high moisture content, such as a distiller wet grain, a profile screw compression dryer, a profile screw, and a drive coupled to the profile screw for axially rotating the profile screw. The profile screw compression dryer includes an inlet for receiving the material for drying, which is fed therein in a controlled manner. The profile screw is provided within the housing of the dryer. The profile screw has a diameter that increases in dimension in a direction away from the inlet for increasing the compressive force applied to the material to assist with drying as the profile screw rotates and moves the material longitudinally along the profile screw to produce a final product, for example, a distiller dried grain for use as an animal feed.

Provided is a granular composition, including the following components (A), (B), (C), and (D): (A) 20 mass % to 70 mass % of a plant extract; (B) starch; (C) 5 mass % or more of a sugar alcohol; and (D) a cellulose derivative.

A heat-coagulated protein processed food product obtained by continuously heat-coagulating and molding a mixture that includes a protein, a lipid, and moisture and has fluidity, by an internal heating method while the mixture is moved within a cylinder having a heating part, and a non-heating part following on from the heating part, is dynamically cut with a cutting blade to form plural noodle-shaped bodies, and the plural noodle-shaped bodies after the cutting cohere with each other at surfaces along a longitudinal direction of the noodle-shaped bodies.

A heat-coagulated protein processed food product obtained by continuously heat-coagulating and molding a mixture that includes a protein, a lipid, and moisture and has fluidity, by an internal heating method while the mixture is moved within a cylinder having a heating part, and a non-heating part following on from the heating part, is dynamically cut with a cutting blade to form plural noodle-shaped bodies, and the plural noodle-shaped bodies after the cutting cohere with each other at surfaces along a longitudinal direction of the noodle-shaped bodies.

A snack bar is produced in accordance with a method employing an extrusion apparatus to include a base or crust, a primary filling provided on the base and a second filling or topping embedded in, yet externally exposed from, the primary filling. The primary and secondary fillings are co-extruded, with an extrusion nozzle for the secondary filling being located directly adjacent an extrusion port for the primary filling. The primary filling is non-flowable, while the secondary filling is preferably flowable. The extrusion nozzle can be repositioned either between or during extrusion operations to alter a repeating pattern for the secondary filling.

A snack bar is produced in accordance with a method employing an extrusion apparatus to include a base or crust, a primary filling provided on the base and a second filling or topping embedded in, yet externally exposed from, the primary filling. The primary and secondary fillings are co-extruded, with an extrusion nozzle for the secondary filling being located directly adjacent an extrusion port for the primary filling. The primary filling is non-flowable, while the secondary filling is preferably flowable. The extrusion nozzle can be repositioned either between or during extrusion operations to alter a repeating pattern for the secondary filling.

A snack bar is produced in accordance with a method employing an extrusion apparatus to include a base or crust, a primary filling provided on the base and a second filling or topping embedded in, yet externally exposed from, the primary filling. The primary and secondary fillings are co-extruded, with an extrusion nozzle for the secondary filling being located directly adjacent an extrusion port for the primary filling. The primary filling is non-flowable, while the secondary filling is preferably flowable. The extrusion nozzle can be repositioned either between or during extrusion operations to alter a repeating pattern for the secondary filling.

A snack bar is produced in accordance with a method employing an extrusion apparatus to include a base or crust, a primary filling provided on the base and a second filling or topping embedded in, yet externally exposed from, the primary filling. The primary and secondary fillings are co-extruded, with an extrusion nozzle for the secondary filling being located directly adjacent an extrusion port for the primary filling. The primary filling is non-flowable, while the secondary filling is preferably flowable. The extrusion nozzle can be repositioned either between or during extrusion operations to alter a repeating pattern for the secondary filling.