| 摘要 |
A process and system for making dehydrated potato products with reduced water usage, and reduced waste water production, are provided. In a first process embodiment potato flakes are fabricated by washing, peeling and slicing raw potatoes to form potato pieces. The potato pieces are then precooked using steam or microwave energy, and vacuum cooled in a process chamber. The vacuum cooled potato pieces are then cooked using steam or microwave energy, and riced to form a potato mash. Following ricing, effluents from the precooking step can be added back to the mash as a flavor enhancer. In addition, the potato mash is dried using a drying apparatus such as a drum drier, to form potato sheets. The potato sheets are then comminuted to form potato flakes having a moisture content of about 6% to 8%. In a second process embodiment potato granules are fabricated by precooking washed, peeled and sliced potato pieces using steam or microwave, cooling the precooked potato slices, and then cooking the cooled potato slices using steam or microwave energy. The cooked potato slices are then conditioned, screened, mixed, partially dried, and finish dried to a moisture content of about 6% to 8%.
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