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.
The technique of cooling and crystallising on a cooling drum to create a flaked
product has long been used in the margarine industry. The method is similar in creating
flaked fat though generally the flakes are thicker so that they can be handled easily
in conveying and packaging. Additionally, so that they can crystallise quickly, the fat
is usually of a high melting point with high solid fat content at ambient temperature
(e.g. a pulsed NMR measurement of 70% at 20.C and of 30% at 30.C). Any fat
hydrogenated to a high enough melting point can be used. However, a fat with a wide
variety of triglyceride types exhibiting little polymorphism is preferred. The inclusion
of coconut or palm kernel oils in their hydrogenated form in the fat formulation can
assist in achieving the required percentage solids while slightly improving mouth feel.
Flaked fats can be further pulverised to make them more granular in texture,
to improve the flow properties. However, this requires the application of low
temperatures.