Patent ID: 8445054

Claim:
A process for manufacturing defatted snack nuts comprising whole or split nut kernels, wherein the nut kernels contain nut oil, said process comprising: a) placing the nut kernels into a pressing device that further comprises pressing elements, a vacuum pump, and a path through which the nut oil can flow; b) arranging the nut kernels into a close-packed monolayer within the pressing device, and maintaining their position and orientation in the pressing device via application of a vacuum; c) pressing the nut kernels in a plurality of pressing cycles at varying pressures less than or equal to 1,000 psi and for a total duration of less than one minute, thereby expelling a desired quantity between 20% and 50% of nut oil from the nut kernels; d) applying a vacuum to the nut kernels and oil, thereby allowing the expelled nut oil to flow through the path; e) collecting the expelled nut oil; f) reconstituting the nut kernels by contacting them with hot water at a temperature between 176° F. and 212° F. for less than one minute, and afterwards g) annealing the reconstituted nut kernels by contacting them with a chilling cold medium, thereby producing hardened nut kernels.