NUT-BASED BEVERAGE MADE WITH UNROASTED NUTS
According to some embodiments, a method for making a nut-based ingredient includes receiving or grinding a pre-cut material of unroasted nuts to a mean particle size between approximately 0.01 and 0.5 inches and further processing the pre-cut material to yield a mixture having a mean particle size less than approximately 0.003. Examples of steps for processing the pre-cut material include performing a grinding step using a grinding mill configured with a microcut head, performing homogenization (e.g., at 1500-3000 psi) and/or high pressure homogenization (e.g., at 7500-15,000 psi), and/or recirculating the mixture through a pump or mill. In certain embodiments, an example comprises grinding unroasted nuts without a pre-cutting step. The temperature of the nut-based ingredient does not exceed approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit throughout processing from unroasted nuts to the nut-based ingredient.
1 . A method, comprising:
manufacturing or receiving pre-cut material made by grinding unroasted nuts, the pre-cut material having a mean particle size between approximately 0.01 and 0.5 inches; and
processing the pre-cut material to yield a nut-based ingredient having a mean particle size less than approximately 0.003 inches;
wherein processing the pre-cut material does not raise the temperature above approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-cut material is manufactured according to a first grinding step in which a first grinding mill configured with a coarse cutting head grinds the unroasted nuts to yield the pre-cut material, wherein the first grinding step does not raise the temperature above approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein processing the pre-cut material comprises:
adding liquid to the pre-cut material to yield a slurry;
recirculating the slurry through a pump or mill until the slurry has a mean particle size less than approximately 0.003 inches.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein processing the pre-cut material comprises:
adding liquid in connection with grinding the pre-cut material, the grinding performed using a grinding mill configured with a microcut head to yield a microcut material, the microcut material having a mean particle size less than approximately 0.003 inches.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
mixing the nut-based ingredient with one or more other ingredients to yield a beverage mixture; and
pasteurizing and then homogenizing the beverage mixture, the homogenizing performed at a pressure in the range of approximately 1500 to 3000 pounds per square inch (psi).
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
mixing the nut-based ingredient with one or more other ingredients to yield a beverage mixture; and
pasteurizing and homogenizing the beverage mixture, the homogenizing performed at a pressure in the range of approximately 7500 to 15,000 pounds per square inch (psi) until the mean particle size is reduced to a value below approximately 0.002 inches.
7 . A product made according to a process that comprises:
manufacturing or receiving pre-cut material made by grinding unroasted nuts, the pre-cut material having a mean particle size between approximately 0.01 and 0.5 inches; and
processing the pre-cut material to yield a nut-based ingredient having a mean particle size less than approximately 0.003 inches;
wherein processing the pre-cut material does not raise the temperature above approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
8 . The product of claim 7 , wherein the pre-cut material is manufactured according to a first grinding step in which a first grinding mill configured with a coarse cutting head grinds the unroasted nuts to yield the pre-cut material, wherein the first grinding step does not raise the temperature above approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
9 . The product of claim 7 , wherein processing the pre-cut material comprises:
adding liquid to the pre-cut material to yield a slurry;
recirculating the slurry through a pump or mill until the slurry has a mean particle size less than approximately 0.003 inches.
10 . The product of claim 7 , wherein processing the pre-cut material comprises:
adding liquid in connection with grinding the pre-cut material, the grinding performed using a grinding mill configured with a microcut head to yield a microcut material, the microcut material having a mean particle size less than approximately 0.003 inches.
11 . The product of claim 7 , the process further comprising:
mixing the nut-based ingredient with one or more other ingredients to yield a beverage mixture; and
pasteurizing and then homogenizing the beverage mixture, the homogenizing performed at a pressure in the range of approximately 1500 to 3000 pounds per square inch (psi).
12 . The product of claim 7 , the process further comprising:
mixing the nut-based ingredient with one or more other ingredients to yield a beverage mixture; and
pasteurizing and homogenizing the beverage mixture, the homogenizing performed at a pressure in the range of approximately 7500 to 15,000 pounds per square inch (psi) until the mean particle size is reduced to a value below approximately 0.002 inches.
13 . A method, comprising:
adding unroasted nuts and water to a grinding mill, wherein the ratio of unroasted nuts to water is at least 2:98, the grinding mill configured with a microcut head;
grinding the unroasted nuts and water to yield a slurry having a mean particle size less than approximately 0.003 inches.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising pumping the slurry through a heat exchanger that cools or pasteurizes and then cools the slurry to yield a nut-based ingredient.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
mixing the nut-based ingredient with one or more beverage ingredients to yield a beverage mixture;
pasteurizing and then homogenizing the beverage mixture, the homogenizing performed at a pressure in the range of approximately 1500 to 3000 pounds per square inch (psi).
16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
pumping the slurry through a pump that further reduces the mean particle size below 0.002 inches and/or makes the slurry homogenous; and
after pumping the slurry through the pump, pumping the slurry through a heat exchanger that cools or pasteurizes and then cools the slurry.
17 . A product made according to a process that comprises:
adding unroasted nuts and water to a grinding mill, wherein the ratio of unroasted nuts to water is at least 2:98, the grinding mill configured with a microcut head;
grinding the unroasted nuts and water to yield a slurry having a mean particle size less than approximately 0.003 inches.
18 . The product of claim 17 , wherein the process further comprises pumping the slurry through a heat exchanger that cools or pasteurizes and then cools the slurry to yield a nut-based ingredient.
19 . The product of claim 18 , wherein the process further comprises:
mixing the nut-based ingredient with one or more beverage ingredients to yield a beverage mixture;
pasteurizing and then homogenizing the beverage mixture, the homogenizing performed at a pressure in the range of approximately 1500 to 3000 pounds per square inch (psi).
20 . The product of claim 17 , wherein the process further comprises:
pumping the slurry through a pump that further reduces the mean particle size below 0.003 inches and/or makes the slurry homogenous; and
after pumping the slurry through the pump, pumping the slurry through a heat exchanger that cools or pasteurizes and then cools the slurry.