Manufacture of granola and snack-food products

Abstract

A method for making a granola or snack-food product comprises (a) mixing ingredients for said granola or snack-food product with liquid binder to obtain a formable mixture, wherein the mixing is carried out at elevated temperature and the binder is liquid at elevated temperature and the binder sets when cooled to room temperature; (b) forming the mixture into product precursor, wherein the forming is carried out at elevated temperature and whilst the binder is still liquid; and (c) cooling the precursor to set the binder, thereby obtaining the snack-food product. Apparatus for making the product is also described as is the product obtained thereby.

1 - 5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . A granola or snack-food product obtained by a method comprising: 
 a. at elevated temperature, mixing ingredients for the product with a liquid binder to obtain a formable mixture, wherein the binder is liquid at elevated temperature and sets when cooled to room temperature;    b. at elevated temperature, whilst the binder is still liquid, forming the mixture into product precursor; and    c. cooling the precursor to set the binder, thereby obtaining the snack-food product.    
     
     
         7 . A granola or snack-food product obtained by a method comprising: 
 obtaining, at elevated temperature, a liquid form of a binder;    combining ingredients for the product with the liquid form of the binder to obtain a mixture of the ingredients plus binder;    moulding or otherwise forming the mixture or a portion of the mixture into one or more product precursors; and    allowing the binder to cool to a reduced temperature;    wherein the binder is in a liquid state at the elevated temperature and sets upon cooling to the reduced temperature into a solid state which is substantially dry and non-sticky to the touch.    
     
     
         8 - 9 . (canceled)