Patent ID: 8435580

Claim:
A method for removing a peel from a produce having a blossom end and a stem end, the method comprising the steps of: in a container, flowing an electrically conductive fluid into an inlet of the container to an outlet thereof; inserting into the container at least one unpeeled produce via a belt, the belt comprising an electrically non-conductive material and having electrically non-conductive dividers; subjecting the electrically-conductive fluid and the produce to an electric current in the container, said current flowing in a tortuous path around the non-conductive dividers-for a time and current strength sufficient to create a first boiling front at the blossom end between an inside of the peel and an outer flesh of the produce and a second boiling front at the stern end between the inside of the peel and the outer flesh of the produce and to advance the boiling fronts towards each other until the boiling fronts cause a pressure that removes the peel from the produce, resulting in a whole peeled produce and a separated peel; and removing the whole peeled produce from the container via the non-electrically conductive belt.