Ultra quick freezing process for fresh liquid foodstuffs, e.g. milk and dairy products

摘要

A liquid foodstuff is atomized and contacted with a freezing gas to form droplets which are collected and later thawed to reconstitute the liquid. A method for freezing liquid foodstuffs comprises the following steps: (i) the foodstuff is atomized using a two-phase pneumatic atomizing nozzle (2), forming droplets with a size of 30-200 microns ; (ii) the droplets are brought into contact with a preferably flowing freezing gas, such that they are frozen in less than 10 (1) seconds; and (iii) optionally the frozen foodstuff (6) is separated, captured, collected and/or compacted. Independent claims are also included for: (a) frozen foodstuffs prepared by this method; (b) the ultra quick liquid freezer machine for carrying out this method; and (c) the use of this machine for freezing short shelf-life fresh liquid foodstuffs.