FLAKE CEREAL OR CHIP AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME
Embodiments of the present invention provide a flake having a high level of whole grains, such as oat groats, nuts and/or other particulate. An embodiment of the present invention provides a flake having a low degree of degradation giving the flake a granola appearance and texture, a relatively large thickness of the flake, which further contributes to the appearance and the crunchy texture, and/or uses a low degree of cook to the binding constituent that provides the high viscosity for binding and a resultant crunchy texture.
1 . A flake, comprising:
approximately 15-70% undegraded, whole grain groats, by weight of the flake; and
approximately 10-30% binder, by weight of the flake,
wherein the flake is a compressed and dried flake measuring approximately 0.030 to 0.080 inch thick.
2 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the flake is approximately 0.040 to 0.060 inch thick.
3 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the whole grain groats comprise approximately 40-60% by weight of the flake.
4 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the whole grain groats comprise at least one of oats, wheat, corn, rice, and barley.
5 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the whole grain groats comprise hulled oat groats.
6 . The flake of claim 1 , further comprising approximately 1-10% nuts, by weight of the flake.
7 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises at least one of rice flour and wheat flour.
8 . The flake of claim 1 , further comprising approximately 2-6% oil, by weight of the flake.
9 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the flake comprises a breakfast cereal.
10 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the flake comprises a snack chip.
11 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the flake has a bowl life of 10-15 minutes or more.
12 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the flake is approximately 0.2 to 2.0 inches in diameter.
13 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the flake has a moisture content of approximately 5% or more.
14 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the flake has a moisture content of approximately 5% or less.
15 . The flake of claim 1 , wherein the undegraded, whole grain groats are undegraded, rolled whole grain groats.
16 . A flake, comprising:
approximately 15-70% undegraded, whole grain groats, by weight of the flake; and
approximately 10-20% binder, by weight of the flake,
wherein the flake is a compressed and dried flake measuring approximately 0.2 to 2.0 inches in diameter and more than 0.030 inch thick.
17 . The flake of claim 16 , wherein the flake is more than 0.080 inch thick.
18 . The flake of claim 16 , wherein the whole grain groats comprise approximately 40-60% by weight of the flake.
19 . The flake of claim 16 , wherein the flake has a moisture content of approximately 5% or more.
20 . The flake of claim 16 , wherein the flake has a moisture content of approximately 5% or less.