EDIBLE DRIED FRUIT OR VEGETABLE PRODUCT WITH A CRUNCHY TEXTURE AND IN THE FORM OF A CLUSTER, AND A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SAID PRODUCT

摘要

Edible product based on dried fruit or vegetable, a method and set of equipment for producing said product and the use thereof as a snack or additional or supplementary ingredient in meals or various food products, such as cereals. The edible product comprises substantially dry clusters of dried fruit or vegetable pieces that have been "puffed" to be of an attractive shape and size, and which have a crunchy texture and pleasant mouthfeel. In order to produce the product, the pre-prepared pieces of fruit or vegetable are dried and puffed, mixed homogeneously with a liquid binding agent suitable for human or animal consumption, and formed into clusters by means of compression and moulding, and the clusters are dried to the required final moisture content. The main part of the set of equipment for producing the product is the device for forming the clusters.