METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXPANDING A FOODSTUFF WITH MICROWAVES

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for expanding an expansible foodstuff, which method is characterised in that it comprises subjecting the foodstuff to an initial microwave pre-heating stage (3) at temperatures below that at which expansion of the foodstuff occurs; and passing the pre-heated foodstuff to a second microwave heating stage (8) where expansion of the foodstuff is achieved by heating the foodstuff to a temperature in excess that at which expansion of the foodstuff occurs; at least part of the reflected microwave energy from the second heating stage (8) being used to supply at least part of the microwave energy required for the pre-heating stage (3).