Defined by their crunch, freshness and flavour-some ingredients — coated snacks are created when food-based ingredients in the form of liquids (or solids) are sprayed onto a product to enhance its texture and taste. In addition to flavouring the product, coatings are also applied to help protect the primary ingredients of the product, and for decorative or product differentiation purposes, and to enhance shelf life.
Coated snacks hold a significant market share in the global snacks market and consumers are drawn to experience the exciting taste, texture and appearance of these products. Changing consumption patterns and a shift towards more sustainable, plant-based and immunity-boosting products is increasing demand in this segment and processors must be ready to take advantage.
The Asia-Pacific region is seeing the fastest growth in the snack and nut coatings market, and this is driven by increased consumption of overall snacks and edible nuts. In addition, improved economic conditions in major snack consuming countries like China and India, is expected to have a positive impact on this market long-term.
The snackfood industry is now exploring new flavours — beyond savory, salty and sweet. Advancements in food processing technology is helping food processors take advantage of this opportunity and create new and exciting coatings for their products.
Dough-coated nut snacks, candy coated nuts and their chocolate, honey or yoghurt variations are widely popular with consumers, but the right equipment is needed to create the product consumers expect. The Spray Dynamics range of coating systems offers industry leading accuracy and coating control to evenly apply liquid and dry ingredients.
Whatever your recipe or application, a solution can be designed to apply your powdered seasonings, oil and water-based coatings, slurries, chocolate, yogurt, and release agents.
Centrifugal Batch Coating System
The Spray Dynamics Centrifugal Batch Coating System can apply uniform dough, Tamari coatings, topical oil, and other dry seasonings or liquid coatings to a variety of products
The fully automated batch coating system from Spray Dynamics has a unique, centrifugal coating action — which provides precise control of batch size and delivery of liquid and powder to maintain consistency of the finished product. The centrifugal coating action of this system is ideal for products like dough-coated nuts, flavoured coffees, nuts and sunflower seeds.
How Does it Work?
A base product supply hopper (with pneumatically controlled slide gate) delivers the product to a PLC controlled weigh scale. Accurately measured batches of base product are then fed to a coating chamber. Rotation carries the base product out to the coating chamber wall and solution is introduced to a high-speed spinning disc liquid applicator via a positive displacement pump — at which point powders are then delivered in alternating cycles via a Uni-Spense® Dry Ingredient Distributor.
Uni-Spense® Dry Ingredient Distributor
The Uni-Spense Dry Ingredient Distributor is used to accurately dispense or distribute dry coatings to your tumble drum, blender, scarf feeder, or conveyor belt. It keeps coatings moving to minimise bridging and voids, and is designed to reliably transfer powders, granules, chopped, shredded, and natural seasonings, without flow agents. The Uni-Spense Dry Ingredient Distributor has been developed specifically for the food industry and is easy to change over and clean.
Heat and Control are industry experts in product seasoning and coating. Don’t risk your business with inferior, out-of-date technology. Let us help you select the best application method for your coating process and help you bring your best products to market.
For more information on this product and equipment, visit www.heatandcontrol.com or email [email protected].
Heat and Control will be at Gulfood Manufacturing 2022 tradeshow in Dubai. Visit us at Hall 3, Stand D3-4, where our product experts will be on hand to discuss any of your equipment needs. We will be showcasing coating and conveying systems with live demonstrations of the FastBack® On-Machine Seasoning system.
