MEAT CRISPS AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING SAME

摘要

Meat crisps and methods of producing the crisps are provided. The meat crisp is a crunchy meat product comprised of at least ground meat or whole muscle meat pieces. Generally the meat is dehydrated and the crunchy meat crisp has a water activity (Aw) of about 0.3 to about 0.6. The meat crisp also may have a moisture percentage of about 4.5% to about 15%, a crisp thickness of about 0.025-in. to about 0.25-in., and a crispness value of less than 731 kg.seconds such that the meat crisp has an appearance, texture, flavor, eating quality, and/or mouth feel similar to other snack chips such as potato or corn chips. The meat crisp may be produced by slicing a cooked meat log and then dehydrating the cooked slice. Alternatively, the meat crisp may be produced by forming thin raw meat films or sheets that are subsequently cooked and dehydrated.