Patent ID: 8372464
Filing Date: 2013-02-12
Classification: A23L,A23P

Abstract:
1. A method for producing a partially hydrated bean product, comprising: inputting a quantity of uncooked beans into an extruder, the uncooked beans being in a whole bean form or a split bean form, wherein the extruder comprises: an inlet, one or more temperature zones in series downstream of the inlet, a die downstream of the one or more temperature zones; and an extended tube downstream of the die, the extended tube being connected to an outlet of the extruder, the extended tube including an input for adding at least one of: steam and water; rotating a screw assembly of the extruder to extrude the beans and force the beans through the one or more temperature zones, wherein a quantity of steam and/or a quantity of water is added to the beans as the beans are forced through the temperature zone; forcing the beans exiting the final temperature zone of said one or more temperature zones in series through the die to produce a bean paste; directing the bean paste through the extended tube and adding an additional quantity of at least one of: steam and water to the bean paste within the extended tube for producing a partially hydrated bean paste; and directing the partially hydrated bean paste from the extended tube of the extruder to the outlet of the extruder for causing the partially hydrated bean paste to exit the extruder via the outlet, wherein the partially hydrated bean paste, upon exiting the extruder via the outlet, comprises a water content of at least 55% to about 95% inclusive by weight.