Method to produce cheese chips and raised cheese chips

Abstract

A method to produce cheese chips, consisting in 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.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A method to produce cheese chips, comprising the steps of: providing cheese slices; drying the cheese slices; cooling the cheese slices; freezing the cheese slices after the drying and cooling step; and raising the cheese slices by rapid water evaporation by application of microwave and vacuum drying; thereby providing cheese chips.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein: the drying step comprises drying the cheese slices are at a temperature from 20 C. to 90 C. for 30 minutes to 200 minutes until reaching the humidity level of 10% to 50%; and the cooling step follows the drying step and comprises cooling the cheese slices air having a temperature of about 15 C.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein: the providing cheese slices step comprises: checking the cheese with a metal detector; and after checking the cheese with a metal detector, slicing the cheese with a slicer into slices 1 mm to 7 mm thick and 10-80 mm long; the method further comprising checking the cheese slices for any foreign bodies; the freezing step comprising disposing the cheese slices in a cold air stream having a temperature below minus 20 C. for 5 to 40 minutes.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein: the raising step is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 1 min to 20 mins at a pressure of 15 to 100 hPa.

20. A method according to claim 16, wherein: the cheese chips are dried to a humidity level below 9% thereby producing a crunchiness effect; and the dried cheese chips are screened on a sieve screen and an accepted fraction is bagged.

21. A method according to claim 16, wherein: the freezing step comprises freezing the cheese slices to a temperature of minus 5 C. to minus 50 C. in a cold air stream having a temperature of minus 20 C. to minus 150 C.; and the raising step comprises raising the cheese slices is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 1 min to 20 mins at a pressure of 15 to 100 hPa to a humidity of 0.2% to 9%.

22. A method according to claim 16, further comprising: mixing the raised cheese slices with a topping; and then finally drying the cheese slices at a temperature of 20 C. to 65 C. for 0.5 to 2 hours.

23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising soaking the cheese slices a vinaigrette solution for 2 to 40 minutes.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein: the vinaigrette solution contains wine vinegar in an amount of 60%-93%, dried yeast extract in an amount of 0.1% to 20%, citric acid in an amount of 0.1% to 15%, pepper extract in an amount of 0.1%-15% and dried garlic concentrate in an amount of 0.1%-15% that are dissolved in water at a temperature of 15-25 C. to a concentration of 1%-30%.

25. A method according to claim 16, wherein: further comprising: soaking the cheese slices in a garlic solution for 5-30 minutes, wherein the garlic solution contains garlic extract in an amount of 35-55%, ground garlic in an amount of 0.1% to 25%, sea salt in an amount of 5%-32%, citric acid in an amount of 0.1% to 15% and parsley in an amount of 0.1% to 15% that are dissolved in water at a temperature of 15-25 C. to a concentration of 1-30%.

26. A method according to claim 16, further comprising: mixing the cheese slices with a pizza flavour topping in an amount of 2% to 30% by product weight, wherein the pizza flavour topping contains ground dried tomato in an amount of 40%-60%, dried paprika and/or paprika flavour in an amount of 2.25% to 27.6%, pepper extract in an amount of 0.1%-15%, sea salt in an amount of 10%-30%, dried onion concentrate in an amount of 2%-22%, anhydrous citric acid in an amount of 0.1%-15%, ground oregano in an amount of 0.1%-20%, and fine basil in an amount of 0.1%-20%.

27. A method according to claim 16, further comprising: mixing the raised cheese slices with a paprika topping in an amount of 1%-30% by weight of the product, wherein the paprika topping contains dried paprika and/or paprika flavour in an amount of 50%-99.8%, pepper extract in an amount of 0.1% to 25%, and ground oregano in an amount of 0.1% to 25%.

28. A method according to claim 16, further comprising: screening the cheese slices on a sieve screen with square mesh having a mesh size of 10 mm or 15 mm.

29. A method according to claim 16, wherein: the cheese chips have a density that does not exceed 0.46 g/cm.sup.3.

30. A method according to claim 16, wherein: the cheese chips have a porosity measured by analyzing a displacement of sea sand that is at least 40%.

31. A method according to claim 16, wherein: the cheese chips have a crunchiness at a level of at least 4 of microcracks in a process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing.

32. Raised cheese chips comprising cheese or comprising cheese and one or more flavorings, the raised cheese chips having a density not exceeding 0.46 g/cm.sup.3.

33. The raised cheese chips according to claim 32, wherein the raised cheese chips have a porosity that is measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand, the porosity being at least 40%.

34. The raised cheese chips according to claim 32, wherein the raised cheese chips have a characteristic crunchiness, the characteristic crunchiness being obtained at a level at least 4 of microcracks in a process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The advantage of chips made of cheese is that their taste is comparable to the taste of cheese, but at the same time they are also a great snack. They are produced solely from natural cheese, and after drying they have natural appearance and colour, and a pleasant and crunchy texture. The drying method provides a high content of aromatic compounds, minerals and vitamins. Cheese chips are a perfect alternative for unhealthy and fattening potato snacks. The method to produce cheese chips according to the present invention allows obtaining healthy and tasty chips that are addressed to children, youth, and adults.

[0010] The object of the present invention has been explained in exemplary embodiments.

EXAMPLE 1

[0011] The method to produce cheese chips consists in that the delivered cheese is weighted and recorded in the production report, and then cleaned and thoroughly rinsed with a water stream, and passed through a metal detector in order to eliminate possible impurities. The cheese is then cooled and frozen. Such prepared cheese is sliced into slices 7 mm thick, wherein while feeding the cheese to the slicer, the material is fed in a substantially uniform way in order to evenly load the slicing chamber. The cut slices are pre-dried at a temperature of 20 C. for 200 minutes to reach 10% humidity, after which they are cooled with air at a temperature of about 15 C., and the pre-dried cheese flakes are frozen to a temperature from minus 5 C. in a cold air stream at a temperature from minus 20 C. The cut cheese slices are then pre-frozen in a fluidize bed tunnel. The pre-freezing is carried out at a temperature of minus 80 C. for 25 minutes. The pre-frozen cheese slices are mixed with a paprika topping in the amount of 30% by product weight that contains dried paprika and paprika flavour in the amount of 50%, pepper extract in the amount of 25%, and ground oregano in the amount of 25%. The spiced and pre-frozen slices in the amount of 3 kg are raised by rapid water evaporation resulting in the occurrence of characteristic smaller and larger air pockets increasing the volume of the product. The raising is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 10 mins at a pressure of 25 hPa and a supplied microwave power of 24 kW, after which the slices are finally dried at a temperature of 65 C. for 1 hour to a humidity level of 7% producing the crunchiness effect. After the final drying, the slices are screened on a sieve screen with a square mesh of 15 mm. The accepted fraction is bagged into aluminium Triplex 6040 bags of 2 kg. Such prepared bags are labelled and packed in cartons of 3 pieces each. The finished product is stored in the storehouse on a pallet with 24 stacked cartons protected with stretch foil. Cheese chips are characterised in that their density is 0.188 g/cm.sup.3, their porosity measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand is 74.3%, their crunchiness is 9.5 of microcracks in the process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. The greater the amount of local cracks, which stimulates the process of biting the sample, the longer it takes to pick up noise events to generate a better impression of crispness.

EXAMPLE 2

[0012] In example 2, a method to produce cheese chips runs as in Example 1, except that the cheese is sliced on a URSCHELL slicer into slices 4 mm thick, and the slices are frozen in a freezing tunnel at a temperature of minus 40 degrees for 20 minutes. The cut slices are pre-dried at a temperature of 90 C. for 30 minutes to reach 50% humidity, after which they are cooled with air at a temperature of about 15 C., and the pre-dried cheese flakes are frozen to a temperature from minus 50 C. in a cold air stream at a temperature from minus 100 C. The pre-frozen cheese slices are mixed with a paprika topping in the amount of 1% by product weight that contains dried paprika in the amount of 99.8%, pepper extract in the amount of 0.1%, and ground oregano in the amount of 0.1%. The spiced and pre-dried slices weighing 8 kg are then raised in a microwave and vacuum drier for 2 mins, at a pressure of 25 hPa and with a supplied microwave power of 100 kW. After that the slices are finally dried at a temperature of 40 C. for 4 hours to a humidity level of 4% producing the crunchiness effect, and the finally dried flakes are screened on a sieve screen with a square mesh of 10 mm, and bagged. The flavour of the individual flakes is different, which is connected with the amount of topping deposited on the flakes during mixing. Cheese chips are characterised in that their density is 0.392 g/cm.sup.3, their porosity measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand is 53.8%, their crunchiness is 8.5 of microcracks in the process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. The greater the amount of local cracks, which stimulates the process of biting the sample, the longer it takes to pick up noise events to generate a better impression of crispness.

EXAMPLE 3

[0013] In example 3, a method to produce cheese chips runs as in Example 1 or Example 2, except that the cheese slices are soaked in a 30% water solution of garlic flavouring at a temperature of 25 C. for 5 minutes, wherein the garlic flavouring contains garlic extract in the amount of 55%, ground garlic in the amount of 25%, sea salt in the amount of 5%, citric acid in the amount of 5% and parsley in the amount of 15%. Next, the flavoured slices are frozen in a freezing tunnel at a temperature of minus 120 degrees for 10 minutes, and then they are raised by rapid water evaporation resulting in occurrence of characteristic smaller and larger air pockets increasing the volume of the product. The raising is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 7 mins at a pressure of 70 hPa and a supplied microwave power of 70 kW, after which the slices are finally dried at a temperature of 25 C. for 2 hours to a humidity level below 4% producing the crunchiness effect. Cheese chips are characterised in that their density is 0.207 g/cm.sup.3, their porosity measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand is 68%, their crunchiness is 8.1 of microcracks in the process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. The greater the amount of local cracks, which stimulates the process of biting the sample, the longer it takes to pick up noise events to generate a better impression of crispness.

EXAMPLE 4

[0014] In example 4, a method to produce cheese chips runs as in Example 1 or Example 2, except that the cheese is sliced on a URSCHELL slicer into slices 2 mm thick, the slices are cooled with a cold air stream at a temperature of about minus 150 C. After the cooling process, the slices are soaked in a 1% water solution of garlic flavouring at a temperature of +1 C. for 30 minutes, wherein the garlic flavouring contains garlic extract in the amount of 35%, ground garlic in the amount of 3%, sea salt in the amount of 32%, citric acid in the amount of 15% and parsley in the amount of 15%. Next, the flavoured cheese slices are raised by rapid water evaporation resulting in the occurrence of characteristic smaller and larger air pockets increasing the volume of the products, raising being carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 6 mins at a pressure of 25 hPa and with a supplied microwave power of 20 kW. The raised slices are finally dried at a temperature of 40 C. for 2 hours to a humidity level below 4% producing the crunchiness effect. After the final drying, the flakes are screened on a sieve screen with a square mesh of 10 mm. Cheese chips are characterised in that their density is 0.401 g/cm.sup.3, their porosity measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand is 51.2%, their crunchiness is 7.9 of microcracks in the process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. The greater the amount of local cracks, which stimulates the process of biting the sample, the longer it takes to pick up noise events to generate a better impression of crispness.

EXAMPLE 5

[0015] In example 5, a method to produce cheese chips runs as in Example 1 or Example 2, except that the cheese is sliced on a slicer into slices 5 mm thick, the slices are cooled with a cold air stream at a temperature of about minus 150 C. Next, the cooled cheese slices are soaked in a 30% water solution of a vinaigrette mixture at a temperature of 2 C. for 15 minutes, wherein the vinaigrette mixture contains wine vinegar in an amount of 60%, dried yeast extract in the amount of 20%, citric acid in the amount of 5%, pepper extract in the amount of 5%, and dried garlic concentrate in the amount of 10%. Then, spiced flakes are raised by rapid water evaporation resulting in the occurrence of characteristic smaller and larger air pockets increasing the volume of the product. The raising is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 10 mins at a pressure of 40 hPa and a supplied microwave power of 48 kW, after which the slices are finally dried at a temperature of 65 C. for 0.5 hours to a humidity level of 3% producing the crunchiness effect. All chips have a uniform flavour since the solution is absorbed better inside the tissue. Cheese chips are characterised in that their density is 0.212 g/cm.sup.3, their porosity measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand is 71%, their crunchiness is 11.2 of microcracks in the process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. The greater the amount of local cracks, which stimulates the process of biting the sample, the longer it takes to pick up noise events to generate a better impression of crispness.

EXAMPLE 6

[0016] In example 6, a method to produce cheese chips runs as in Example 1 or Example 2, except that the cheese is sliced on a slicer into slices 1 mm thick, the cheese slices are soaked in a 20% water solution of a vinaigrette mixture containing wine vinegar in the amount of 93%, dried yeast extract in the amount of 1%, citric acid in the amount of 1.1%, pepper extract in the amount of 0.9%, and dried garlic extract in the amount of 4%. Then, the spiced slices are frozen in a freeze tunnel at a temperature of 150 C. for 10 minutes, and raised by rapid water evaporation resulting in occurrence of characteristic air pockets increasing the volume of the product, wherein the raising is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 5 mins at a pressure of 25 hPa and with a supplied microwave power of 28 kW. The raised slices are finally dried at a temperature of 45 C. for 2 hours to a humidity level below 6% producing the crunchiness effect. After the final drying, the flakes are screened on a sieve screen with a square mesh of 15 mm. Cheese chips are characterised in that their density is 0.449 g/cm.sup.3, their porosity measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand is 45%, their crunchiness is 5.8 of microcracks in the process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. The greater the amount of local cracks, which stimulates the process of biting the sample, the longer it takes to pick up noise events to generate a better impression of crispness.

EXAMPLE 7

[0017] In example 7, a method to produce cheese chips runs as in Example 1 or Example 2, except that the cheese having been delivered to the production facility is checked with a metal detector for possible metal content, and then it is sliced on a slicer into slices 1-7 mm and checked in an optical detector for foreign bodies. Cheese slices are transported to the freeze tunnel and frozen to a temperature of minus 5 C. by a cold air stream at a temperature of minus 70 C. for 15 minutes. Then, the cheese slices in an amount of 8 kg are raised by rapid water evaporation resulting in the occurrence of characteristic smaller and larger air pockets increasing the volume of the product. The raising is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 10 mins at a pressure of 70 hPa and a supplied microwave power of 52 kW, and after raising the cheese slices are mixed with a pizza flavour topping in the amount of 10% by the product weight, containing ground dried tomato in the amount of 50%, dried paprika and paprika flavour in the amount of 10%, pepper extract in the amount of 3%, sea salt in the amount of 10%, dried onion concentrate in the amount of 6%, anhydrous citric acid in the amount of 5%, ground oregano in the amount of 7%, and fine basil in the amount of 9%, after which the flakes are finally dried at a temperature of 65 C. for 2 hours to a humidity level of 2% producing the crunchiness effect. After the final drying, the slices are screened on a sieve screen with a square mesh of 15 mm. The accepted fraction is bagged into aluminium Triplex 6040 bags of 2 kg. Such prepared bags are labelled and packed in cartons of 3 pieces each. The finished product is stored in the storehouse on a pallet with 24 stacked cartons protected with stretch foil. Cheese chips are characterised in that their density is 0.217 g/cm.sup.3, their porosity measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand is 70%, their crunchiness is 11.7 of microcracks in the process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. The greater the amount of local cracks, which stimulates the process of biting the sample, the longer it takes to pick up noise events to generate a better impression of crispness.

EXAMPLE 8

[0018] In example 8, a method to produce cheese chips runs as in Example 7, except that the cheese is sliced into slices 1 mm thick and checked on an optical detector for foreign bodies. Cheese slices are transported to the freeze tunnel and frozen to a temperature of minus 15 C. by cold air stream at a temperature of minus 120 C. for 10 minutes. The frozen cheese slices are mixed with a pizza flavour topping in the amount of 10% of the product weight, containing ground dried tomato in the amount of 60%, dried paprika in the amount of 4%, pepper extract in the amount of 2%, sea salt in the amount of 30%, dried onion concentrate in the amount of 2%, anhydrous citric acid in the amount of 1%, ground oregano in the amount of 0.2%, and fine basil in the amount of 0.8%. The spiced slices are raised in a microwave and vacuum drier for 5 mins, at a pressure of 17 hPa and with a supplied microwave power of 14 kW. After that the slices are finally dried at a temperature of 60 C. for 2 hours to a humidity level of 3% producing the crunchiness effect, and the finally dried slices are screened on a sieve screen with a square mesh of 15 mm, and bagged.

[0019] Cheese chips are characterised with high crispness and crunchiness, resulting from the fact that the tissue of dried cheese slices is raised by means of air pockets by rapid volume water evaporation, increasing the volume of the product whose surface is covered with smaller and/or larger crispy air pockets. Such texture makes the cheese chips light and delicate, with crispness comparable with that of potato, carrot, beetroot, tomato, and topinambour chips. The percentage selection of components and additives in the embodiments is only an attempt at showing the possibilities offered by the application of cheese to produce cheese chips that can be made without salt as well as with hot and sweet flavours, and solely due to the known flavour preferences of the customers only typical product flavours have been presented. Cheese chips are characterised in that their density is 0.453 g/cm.sup.3, their porosity measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand is 44.1%, their crunchiness is 6 of microcracks in the process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. The greater the amount of local cracks, which stimulates the process of biting the sample, the longer it takes to pick up noise events to generate a better impression of crispness.

EXAMPLE 9

[0020] In example 9, cheese chips were prepared according to the method disclosed in patent application No. PL396326 and according to Example 1. Cheese chips were characterised by higher density at level 0.726 g/cm.sup.3, lower porosity at level 9.09% and worse crunchiness where microcracks in the process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing were at the level 1.5.