Methods and materials for high dextrin dry food coatings
The present invention provides a process for preparing a potato product with a film-like coating on the outer surface which coating according to the steps of: cutting the potatoes; blanching the potatoes; and coating the potatoes with a dry coating composition comprising at least 50% by weight dextrin and from 5% to 25% by weight of a hydrolyzed starch characterized by a DE of from 0.2 to 5. The method provides coated potato products (french fries) characterized by desirable textural properties at low coating weights.
1 . to 14 . (Cancelled).
15 . A coated potato product produced according to the method comprising the steps of:
cutting potatoes;
blanching the potatoes;
coating the potatoes with a dry coating composition comprising at least 50% by weight dextrin and from 5% to 25% by weight of a hydrolyzed starch characterized by a DE of from 0.2 to 5; and
freezing the potatoes.
16 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the dry composition comprises at least 60% by weight dextrin.
17 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the hydrolyzed starch is characterized by a DE of from 0.2 to 2.
18 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the hydrolyzed starch is an acid hydrolyzed starch.
19 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the acid hydrolyzed starch is a granular starch.
20 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the acid hydrolyzed starch is pregelatinized prior to acid hydrolysis.
21 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the composition further comprises from 5% to 35% of a maltodextrin/glucose syrup solids characterized by a DE of from 15 to 25.
22 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the dry coating composition is applied at a coating pickup weight of less than 4% based upon the weight of uncoated potato product.
23 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the dry coating composition is applied at a coating pickup weight of less than 2% by weight based upon the weight of uncoated potato product.
24 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the dry coating composition is applied at a coating pickup weight of less than 1% by weight based upon the weight of uncoated potato product.
25 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the potatoes are coated by mean selected from the group consisting of a rotating tumbler, a dry powder spray system and an electrostatic spray system.
26 . The coated potato product of claim 23 wherein the potatoes are coated by means of an electrostatic spray system.
27 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the potatoes are frozen prior to application of the dry coating composition.
28 . The coated potato product of claim 15 wherein the potatoes are frozen after application of the dry coating composition.
29 . to 38 . (Cancelled).