Ingredient delivery system for popcorn kernels
View Patent ↗An ingredient delivery system for popcorn kernels is described. The ingredient delivery system can include multiple layers. The synergy formed from the multiple layers of the ingredient delivery system results in a popped popcorn with minimal flaking and blow-off. Thus, a greater ingredient impact is imparted to the consumer. Also, the layer combination minimizes any hindrance of the natural popping action of the kernels. Thus, consumers have a greater pop volume for consumption.
1. A popcorn product, comprising:
a microwave popcorn package having a susceptor associated with the microwave popcorn package;
an oil/fat slurry in the microwave popcorn package;
a charge of popcorn kernels in the microwave popcorn package, wherein the charge of popcorn kernels includes at least a portion of the kernels having an ingredient delivery system formed on the hull of the kernels, wherein the ingredient delivery system includes a plurality of layers comprising:
a priming layer formed from a water based priming solution, wherein the priming layer is located on the surface of the kernels and has a thickness from about 1 μm to about 20 μm and has a surface that is rougher than the surface of the kernels, wherein the priming layer includes a cellulose component and a starch component,
an ingredient layer formed from a water based ingredient solution, wherein the ingredient layer is located on the surface of the priming layer and has a thickness from about 25 μm to about 50 μm, wherein the ingredient layer includes a gum component and an ingredient component, wherein the ingredient component includes at least one member of a group comprising; a flavor component and a color component;
a sealant layer formed from a water based sealant solution, wherein the sealant layer is located on the surface of the ingredient layer and has a thickness from about 10 μm to about 15 μm and has a smooth surface texture similar to the surface of the kernels, wherein the sealant layer includes a cellulose component.
2. The popcorn product of claim 1 , wherein the kernels are unpopped kernels.
3. The popcorn product of claim 1 , wherein the kernels are popped kernels.
4. The popcorn product of claim 3 , further comprising flakings of the ingredient delivery system located in the microwave popcorn package, wherein the flakings of the ingredient delivery system are less than about 1% by total weight of the popcorn kernels.
5. The popcorn product of claim 4 , wherein the flakings of the ingredient delivery system are less than about 0.015% by total weight of the popcorn kernels.
6. The popcorn product of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose component of the priming layer is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, wherein the starch is a modified corn starch.
7. The popcorn product of claim 1 , wherein the gum component of the ingredient layer is a gellan gum component.
8. The popcorn product of claim 7 , wherein the ingredient component further includes at least one member of a group comprising: a nutrient component, a texture component, and an aromatic component.
9. The popcorn product of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose component of the sealant layer is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.
10. The popcorn product of claim 1 , wherein the sealant layer further includes an aromatic component.
11. A popcorn product, comprising:
a popcorn kernel;
an ingredient delivery system formed on the kernel, wherein the ingredient delivery system includes a plurality of separately formed, wherein the layers include:
a priming layer, wherein the priming layer is located on the surface of the popcorn kernel, wherein the priming layer includes a carbohydrate polymeric component and has a surface that is rougher than the surface of the kernels;
an ingredient layer located on the surface of the priming layer, wherein the ingredient layer includes a carbohydrate polymeric component and an ingredient component, wherein the ingredient component includes at least one member of a group comprising; a flavor component and a color component;
a sealant layer located on the surface of the ingredient layer, wherein the sealant layer includes a cellulose component and has a smooth surface texture similar to the surface of the kernels.
12. The popcorn product of claim 11 , wherein the carbohydrate polymeric component of the priming layer includes a cellulose component and a starch component.
13. The popcorn product of claim 12 , wherein the cellulose component is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and the starch component is modified corn starch.
14. The popcorn product of claim 11 , wherein the carbohydrate polymeric component of the ingredient layer includes a gum component and a starch component.
15. The popcorn product of claim 14 , wherein the gum component is a gellan gum and the starch component is a modified corn starch.
16. The popcorn product of claim 11 , wherein the cellulose component of the sealant layer is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.