Methods and materials for high dextrin dry food coatings

Abstract

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).