Articles Tagged with ''ice cream processing''

Gelato is most commonly presented for sale in a dip shop as a semi-solid product characterized by intense color and flavoring. Composition of gelato varies widely and may be positioned as gourmet, super premium or other market terminologies.

As we have often noted, ice cream is the only food intended to be consumed frozen. Thus, dairy processors need to protect that which fails first, i.e., body and texture (which can be described as bite, chew, smoothness and creaminess.)

In our May column, we discussed the so-called “rare” sugars. These are sugars found in nature but at ultra-low levels. The most commercially available rare sugars are tagatose and allulose, recognized as providing sucrose-like sweetness (~ 0.90 and ~0.70, respectfully) at significantly lower caloric contributions (1.5 and 0.20 calories per gram, respectively).

The cryogenic freezing of ice cream is appealing because the very rapid temperature drop it produces generates extremely small ice crystals that promote smooth texture and extended textural shelf life. To date, technical, operational and economic factors have limited its use in conventional production to a few value-added products such as novelties and ice cream cakes/pies.

With the FDA mulling a requirement to label ‘added sugars,’ now is the time to look at various sweetening systems, and the ramifications of using them.

Stabilizers control the movement of water, the growth of ice crystals and the size of air bubbles. The right blend of stabilizers (and emulsifiers, too) can make all the difference in the end product.

It is not a simple matter when you add nuts, cookies or ribbons to ice cream mix. Pay attention to formulas, overrun, food safety, processing and economics. Proceed carefully and you’ll end up with a great product.

By choosing the right texturizing ingredients and handling them strategically, ice cream makers can craft an ice cream that performs properly and avoid the chemical-sounding additives consumers shun.