General Mills, Inc.

Tricia J Bourns

Timothy J Gluszak

Brian E Glass

Myron M Uecker

Albert L Saari

Robert J Stromgren

Disclosed are microwave popcorn articles which upon microwave heating provide popcorn of reduced fat content, better fat distribution and improved taste as well as methods for the preparation of such articles. The articles comprise any conventional microwave popcorn bag and an improved popcorn/fat charge. In addition to unpopped popcorn kernels and fat, the charge further essentially includes minor amounts of salt, color and/or flavors. The present method involves the spraying of a fat/salt slurry at the same time as and at an angle to a falling cascade of unpopped popcorn kernels as they are charged to the upper open end of the microwave popcorn bag. The angle of the fat/salt spray is such as to intersect with the falling popcorn cascade within the popcorn bag below the top seal area. By applying the fat/salt slurry to a falling cascade of unpopped popcorn kernels during bag filling, improved distribution of the slurry over the popcorn is achieved. Such improved slurry distribution yields organoleptic improvements in the popped product in that fat perception is increased even at low fat levels as well as more uniform distribution of flavor, salt and color.

Method of preparing reduced fat microwave popcorn

A low density (0.75 to 0.95 g/cc) ready-to-spread ('RTS') frosting composition is described that exhibits reduced tendency for air cell collapse or coalescence upon extended storage and thus maintains its low density. The RTS frosting comprises: A. about 60 to 85% of a nutritive carbohydrate sweetening agent; B. about 15 to 25% of a shortening having a palm oil hardstock in a weight ratio of about 3 to 5:1; C. about 0.5 to 3% of a particular emulsifier system; D. about 0.1 to 0.5% of a viscosity agent; and E. about 10 to 20% moisture. The emulsifier system comprises: 1) a monoglyceride, and 2) an aerating emulsifier selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters of polyhydric alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyglycerol esters of higher fatty acids, and mixtures thereof, and 3) optionally a polyglycerol ester. The present RTS frosting is prepared by forming a liquid blend; homogenizing the blend; rapidly cooling the blend; adding an inert gas; and whipping with simultaneous cooling to form a fully aerated RTS frosting.

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St. Louis Park, MN, United States of America

Tricia J Bourns