Process for simultaneous roasting of nutmeats and pellicle removal

摘要

A process for the removal of pellicle from nut kernels is disclosed which simultaneously roasts the nuts. The process involves immersing the pellicle-covered kernels in a heated fluid at a moderate temperature for a sufficient period of time to permit the oil to penetrate the pellicle and to draw at least a portion of the moisture in the kernel to the kernel surface. The kernels are then heated at a higher termperature to vaporize the moisture previously drawn up to the surface and simultaneously detach the pellicle from the kernels and roast the kernels. The process is of particular utility in removing pellicle from nuts such as American hazelnuts and Brazil nuts in which the pellicle is strongly bound to the kernels and not readily removed by simple abrasion.