Dry mixes comprising glycerine
Dry mixes for forming dough and batters are provided comprising homogenous dispersions of glycerine on one or more ingredients in particulate form. The dry mixes are rendered more resistant to microbial growth due to the presence of glycerine. Food products prepared from the dry mixes exhibit several benefits including improved moisture retention and/or increased shelf-life.
1. A process for preparing a dry mix for comprising spraying an atomized liquid comprising glycerine through a pressurized nozzle onto an agitated mass of ingredients in particulate form, said ingredients comprising from 40% to 90% by weight flour and one or more additional ingredients in particulate form, to form a dry mix having from 0.5% to about 2.5% by weight glycerine homogeneously dispersed on said flour and said one or more additional ingredients, said liquid having a water activity (a w ) less than 0.35 and comprising at least 50% by weight glycerine, from 0% to less than 5% by weight of a polysorbate emulsifier based on the weight of glycerine, and optionally a flavorant component, said dry mix having a moisture content less than 15% by weight and a water activity of less than 0.91, and flow properties and resistance to clumping substantially the same as the flow properties and resistance to clumping of an otherwise identical dry mix in the absence of said glycerine.
2. A process for preparing a dry mix for comprising:
(i) spraying an atomized liquid comprising glycerine through a pressurized nozzle onto an agitated mass of ingredients in particulate form, said ingredients comprising flour and one or more additional ingredients in particulate form, to homogeneously disperse glycerine on said flour and said one or more additional ingredients, said liquid having a water activity (a w ) less than 0.35 and comprising at least 50% by weight glycerine, from 0% to less than 5% by weight of a polysorbate based on the weight of glycerine, and optionally a flavorant component, and
(ii) forming a dry mix by combining said ingredients having glycerine homogeneously dispersed thereon with an amount of flour sufficient to bring the total flour content of said dry mix to 40% to 90% by weight of said dry mix, and the glycerine content from about 0.5% to about 2.5% by weight of said dry mix,
said dry mix having a moisture content less than 15% by weight and a water activity of less than 0.91, and flow properties and resistance to clumping substantially the same as the flow properties and resistance to clumping of an otherwise identical dry mix in the absence of said glycerine.