The claimed advantages for fat powders, powdered fat and flaked fat are ease of
handling in transport, dosing and simplified storage. Blending with the growing number
of other dry ingredients is eased.
Before considering the manufacture and application of these forms of fat, it is
necessary to define the differences between them. Powdered fats and flaked fats are
both similar in that they are entirely made of fat or of fat and emulsifier. However,
they are manufactured by different methods, as their names imply, though there is
some overlap in their application. Fat powders, though they do contain substantial
amounts of fat, also contain non-fatty material which acts as a carrier. This applies
a restriction in their use in that the nonfatty component must be compatible with the
final recipe of the user.
In the manufacture of powdered, granulated and flaked fat there are certain common
features to be considered. The fat in its final form must be a solid at ambient temperatures,
and the flake or particle must be such that the crystallisation must go as quickly
as possible to completion so that late crystallisation of the liquid core does not release
sufficient heat to cause lumping or caking in the product.