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Puffcorn
View on WikipediaPuffcorn | |
| Type | Snack food |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Main ingredients | Cornmeal, flavoring |
Puffcorn or corn puffs are puffed or extruded corn snacks made with corn meal, which can be baked or fried.
Puffcorn belongs in the snack group products made with corn grits, rice, wheat, or other cereals. Puffcorn is often flavoured with cheese, caramel, oil, chili, onion, or garlic powder, and many other spices.[1] Types of puffcorn can vary in length, density, hardness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness, and level of redness and yellowness, especially when using different percentages of oat flour.[2] Some products sold as puffcorn are given the appearance of popcorn, although they are not made from whole grains as popcorn is.
Puffcorn is commonly known as a ready‐to‐eat functional breakfast cereal or an extruded functional snack.[2] Some puffcorn is made with oat flour, flaxseed and chia corn.[2] Due to the health benefits, there has been increased interest in developing functional food products containing chia.[3] Extrusion has been shown to be an effective method for incorporating other functional ingredients into food products.[4]
Manufacturers include Frito-Lay[5] and Old Dutch Foods.[6]
Sweetened (Corn Pops, Reese's Puffs, etc.) and salty/seasoned (Kurkure, various cheese puffs, etc.) varieties also exist.
Manufacturing process
[edit]
Puffcorn, much like other puffed products such as cereals and crispbreads are processed by extrusion cooking through an extruder. This is a thermodynamic process where the dough is passed through a tube and heated under a certain amount of pressure. The puffcorn dough product is then forced through a narrow opening called a die, and as it gets released, the change in pressure and temperature causes the product to puff out, giving the texture and consistency of puffcorn.[7][self-published source] The different shapes and textures of puffcorn are manipulated by the die at the end of the extruder and the type of extruder used. Specific types of grain size of the starch required during processing also depends on the snack type itself; for example, if the puffcorn snack requires a fine structure with small pores, an extruder with smaller granulation should be used, whereas crispier puffcorn would require larger granulation.[8]
Packaging
[edit]Factors that are considered to determine the packaging material of extruded snacks like puffcorn are water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), oxygen transmission rate (OTR), optical density (OD), and flavour/odor barrier property. The packaging of choice ultimately compromises between protective properties, the shelf life of the product, aesthetic appeal, and cost.[9] Given that deterioration of puffcorn products is primarily attributed to loss of crispness, it is crucial that the packaging provides a barrier against water vapour. Oxygen barrier requirements for the packaging of puffcorn may be less stringent as extruded and puffed snacks can be less sensitive to oxygen in comparison with fried snack foods.[10] A variety of materials can be used in packaging of puffcorn, examples of which include low-density polyethylene (LDPE), laminated pouches (LP), and biaxially-oriented polypropylene (OPP). In an investigation, extruded snacks were found to be more stable in LP in comparison to LDPE.[11]
Properties
[edit]Chemical and physical properties
[edit]Starch, the main constituent of puffcorn, is accountable for the snack's structural properties, and thus expires in 3–4 months.[12] During the extrusion process, starch molecules (amylose) are destroyed partially while new crystalline ones are made. They form an amylose-lipid complex affecting puffcorn's structure, texture and other functional properties.[13] Due to the moist heat, the extrusion process may also cause starch gelatinization, protein denaturation, destruction of microorganisms and inactivation of anti-nutrients.[14] Compared to wheat, using corn results in a softer and more expanded product due to its lower protein content and higher starch content (extruded wheat products are harder and don't expand as much).[12]
Sensory properties
[edit]The quality and overall acceptability of puffcorn, as determined by consumers, is based on characteristics pertaining to their appearance, texture, and flavour (determined via sensory evaluation methods).[15] Desired sensory attributes are attained by controlling the composition of the raw material and the processing conditions during extrusion.
Appearance
[edit]Characteristics of puffcorn, notably diameter, porosity, and homogeneous structure, are appearance attributes that aid in the perception of quality of the extruded product.[15] The appearance of these products are enhanced as extrusion feed rate is increased, while increases in extrusion temperature and feed moisture content diminish it. Colour changes during extrusion occur due to product expansion, the decomposition of ingredient pigments, or chemical reactions.
Texture and flavour
[edit]Textural attributes of these extrudates are often associated with their mechanical behaviour, and are related to their appearance and flavour properties.[15] Crispness and melting of extrudates are influenced by extrusion temperature. Higher extrusion temperatures enhance the crispness and melting of extrudates. Feed moisture content decreases the crunchiness and crispness while increasing hardness (density) of the product. Hardness increases the perceived mealy flavour, and is negatively correlated with crispness, melting and burnt flavouring.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Hashempour-Baltork, Fataneh; Torbati, Mohammadali; Azadmard-Damirchi, Sodeif; Savage, Geoffrey P. (2018). "Quality properties of puffed corn snacks incorporated with sesame seed powder". Food Science & Nutrition. 6 (1): 85–93. doi:10.1002/fsn3.532. PMC 5778234. PMID 29387365.
- ^ a b c Liu, Y.; Hsieh, F.; Heymann, H.; Huff, H.E. (2000). "Effect of Process Conditions on the Physical and Sensory Properties of Extruded Oat-Corn Puff". Journal of Food Science. 65 (7): 1253–1259. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2000.tb10274.x. ISSN 0022-1147.
- ^ Wu, W.; Huff, H.E.; Hsieh, F. (2007). "Processing and Properties of Extruded Flaxseed-Corn Puff". Journal of Food Processing and Preservation. 31 (2): 211–226. doi:10.1111/j.1745-4549.2007.00105.x. ISSN 0145-8892.
- ^ Byars, Jeffrey A.; Singh, Mukti (2015). "Properties of extruded chia–corn meal puffs". LWT - Food Science and Technology. 62 (1): 506–510. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2014.06.036.
- ^ "Chester's Butter Puffcorn". Retrieved 2014-09-13.
- ^ "Original Puffcorn". Retrieved 2014-09-13.
- ^ "Course:FNH200/Lesson 08 - UBC Wiki". wiki.ubc.ca. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
- ^ Bonciu, Elena (2017-01-18). "BASIC RAW MATERIALS USED IN PROCESSING OF THE SNACK FOOD (ECOLOGICAL/NON ECOLOGICAL) AND THEIR EXPANDING CAPACITY". Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series. 46 (1): 42–47. ISSN 1841-8317.
- ^ Man, C. M. D.; Jones, Adrian A. (2000-07-31). Shelf Life Evaluation of Foods. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9780834217829.
- ^ Robertson, Gordon L. (1998-01-15). Food Packaging: Principles and Practice. CRC Press. ISBN 9780824701758.
- ^ Wani, Sajad Ahmad; Bhat, Tariq Ahmad; Ganie, Nawaz Ahmad; Kumar, Pradyuman (2019-01-26). "Impact of storage and packaging material on the nutritional, product properties and microbial count of extruded snacks". Current Nutrition & Food Science. 15 (4): 592–600. doi:10.2174/1573401315666190126114847.
- ^ a b Dehghan-Shoar, Zeinab; Hardacre, Allan K.; Brennan, Charles S. (2010-12-15). "The physico-chemical characteristics of extruded snacks enriched with tomato lycopene". Food Chemistry. 123 (4): 1117–1122. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.05.071. ISSN 0308-8146.
- ^ Thachil, Madonna T.; Chouksey, Mithlesh K.; Gudipati, Venkateshwarlu (2014). "Amylose-lipid complex formation during extrusion cooking: effect of added lipid type and amylose level on corn-based puffed snacks". International Journal of Food Science & Technology. 49 (2): 309–316. doi:10.1111/ijfs.12333. ISSN 1365-2621.
- ^ Oniszczuk, Anna; Skalicka-Woźniak, Krystyna; Jabłońska-Ryś, Ewa; Zalewska-Korona, Marta; Wójtowicz, Agnieszka (2018-09-30). "Chemical Characteristics and Physical Properties of Functional Snacks Enriched with Powdered Tomato". Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences. 68 (3): 251–261. doi:10.1515/pjfns-2017-0028. ISSN 1230-0322.
- ^ a b c Lazou, A.; Krokida, M.; Tzia, C. (2010). "Sensory Properties and Acceptability of Corn and Lentil Extruded Puffs". Journal of Sensory Studies. 25 (6): 838–860. doi:10.1111/j.1745-459X.2010.00308.x.
Puffcorn
View on GrokipediaHistory
Invention
The invention of puffcorn traces back to an accidental discovery in the animal feed industry during the early 1930s. In 1932, at the Flakall Corporation in Beloit, Wisconsin, machinist Edward Wilson was repairing a feed extruder designed to flake corn for livestock when cracked corn kernels unexpectedly puffed up due to the machine's heat and pressure, producing a light, airy byproduct.[10][11] Wilson collected samples of this puffed corn, which had emerged as waste from the feed production process, and recognized its potential as a human snack after seasoning it at home.[12] An alternative account attributes the development of a similar puffed corn product to the Elmer Candy Corporation in New Orleans, Louisiana, around 1936. During the Great Depression, the Elmer brothers acquired extrusion machinery originally used for animal feed from the Chicago World's Fair and re-engineered it to process cornmeal, initially experimenting with the puffed output for candy coatings before adapting it into a standalone snack.[13][14] This process involved extruding cornmeal onto spinning plates, where friction-generated heat caused the kernels to expand by vaporizing moisture, yielding the characteristic puffed texture.[13] In both cases, the initial recognition of puffed corn's snack viability stemmed directly from repurposing industrial waste from feed manufacturing, marking the transition from agricultural byproduct to a novel edible treat without intentional design for human consumption.[10][11]Commercialization
The extrusion technology developed by the Flakall Corporation in the early 1930s, initially for animal feed production, quickly transitioned to human snack applications as workers recognized the puffed corn's potential. By the mid-1930s, Flakall began supplying raw puffed corn to external producers, enabling early commercialization efforts; for instance, the Reed family in Wisconsin purchased these puffs to create and sell the cheese-seasoned snack Korn Kurls from their home-based operation, marking one of the first instances of market-oriented production.[15] In 1946, Flakall founder Joe Bornhoft established the Adams Corporation to focus exclusively on snack foods, formalizing Korn Kurls as a branded product and scaling manufacturing through improved extruders patented in 1939.[16] Cheese-flavored puffcorn emerged in the 1940s, transforming the plain puffed product into a flavored staple that drove consumer adoption. The Frito Company introduced Cheetos in 1948, using an extrusion process inspired by earlier feed technologies to produce cheese-seasoned corn puffs that achieved rapid popularity through national distribution partnerships.[10] Similarly, Morrie Yohai at Old London Foods developed Cheez Doodles around the same period, applying cheddar powder post-extrusion to create a tubular snack that expanded market reach on the East Coast by the early 1950s.[17] These innovations in flavor application, such as oil-based cheese seasonings, addressed taste preferences and facilitated broader U.S. market penetration beyond regional sales.[18] Post-World War II economic prosperity and rising demand for convenient, affordable snacks propelled puffcorn's growth, with sales surging amid suburbanization and television advertising booms. Advancements in powdered flavoring techniques, including dehydrated cheese blends, allowed for consistent taste and longer shelf life, supporting mass production by companies like Frito-Lay after its 1961 merger.[10] By the 1950s, cheese puffcorn had become a fixture in American snacking culture, with brands like Cheetos generating millions in annual revenue and exemplifying the era's shift toward processed, indulgent foods.[11]Production
Ingredients
The primary raw material in puffcorn production is corn grits or cornmeal, typically derived from dent corn (Zea mays indentata), which forms 80-90% of the ingredient mix and supplies the high-starch content essential for gelatinization and expansion during extrusion.[19][20] Optional ingredients such as rice flour, wheat flour, or additional starches (e.g., corn starch) may be incorporated at 10-20% to modify texture and structure in the final product.[21] Vegetable oils are applied post-extrusion, typically by spraying, to enhance flavor adhesion, crispiness, and mouthfeel.[22] Flavorings, including cheese powder, sugar, salt, or spices, are added after processing to impart taste without affecting the base puffing mechanism.[20] Water is mixed into the base ingredients to achieve a dough moisture content of 20-30%, enabling proper starch hydration and flow during extrusion.Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process of puffcorn primarily relies on extrusion cooking, a thermomechanical method that transforms corn grits into lightweight, expanded snacks. The process begins with mixing corn grits, the key base ingredient, with water to form a dough-like mixture, typically achieving a moisture content of 17-24% to facilitate starch gelatinization.[22][23] This conditioned mixture is then fed into a single- or twin-screw extruder, where it undergoes intense heating at 120-180°C and pressurization to 20-40 bar, causing the starch to gelatinize and partially cook under shear forces from the rotating screw.[24][25] The gelatinized dough is forced through a die at the extruder's end, forming initial shapes such as pellets or collets, often cut to uniform lengths by a rotating knife assembly. Upon exiting the die, the sudden drop in pressure to atmospheric levels causes the superheated water within the mixture to flash into steam, resulting in rapid expansion and puffing of the product to several times its original volume.[22][26] This expansion step is critical for achieving the characteristic airy structure of puffcorn. Following extrusion, the puffed pieces, which exit with approximately 6-10% moisture, undergo drying in a multi-zone oven or tunnel dryer to reduce moisture to 5-8%, ensuring crispness and extending shelf life.[27][28] The dried puffs are then lightly sprayed with oil to enhance adhesion for seasoning, followed by application of flavors such as cheese or barbecue powder in a rotating drum or fluidized bed coater.[22] Industrial extrusion lines typically operate at output rates of 100-500 kg per hour, depending on extruder capacity and formulation.[29]Physical and Chemical Properties
Composition
Puffcorn's chemical composition is dominated by carbohydrates, which typically comprise 50-60% of the finished product for cheese-flavored varieties, primarily in the form of gelatinized starch from corn that undergoes structural changes during extrusion.[30] Proteins from the corn base account for 5-8%, providing essential amino acids while remaining a minor component overall.[31] Fats constitute 30-40% of the total composition, largely introduced via post-extrusion application of vegetable oils such as corn or sunflower oil to enhance flavor adhesion and mouthfeel.[30] Moisture content in the final product ranges from 1-2%, a low level critical for maintaining crispiness and preventing microbial growth during storage.[32] Trace minerals, including sodium, are present in small amounts, often derived from added seasonings that contribute to the snack's savory profile.[32] In some formulations, emulsifiers such as soy lecithin or sucrose esters are incorporated to stabilize the oil-starch interactions and improve structural integrity, while preservatives may be added to extend shelf life by inhibiting oxidation in the fat phase.[33] The extrusion process itself gelatinizes much of the starch, transforming it into a more digestible and expansive form central to puffcorn's makeup.[34]Structure and Expansion
The puffed structure of puffcorn arises from the rapid expansion of superheated steam within the starchy matrix during extrusion, resulting in a cellular foam-like microstructure composed of interconnected voids and thin cell walls. This architecture features wall thicknesses typically ranging from 80 to 190 micrometers, which contribute to the overall lightness and crispness of the product.[35] The void spaces within this matrix can occupy a substantial portion of the volume, often exceeding 80% and reaching up to 90% in optimally expanded samples, as inferred from low bulk densities relative to the solid phase density of starch (approximately 1.5 g/cm³).[34] The expansion mechanism is driven by the sudden pressure drop at the die exit in the manufacturing extrusion step, where internal moisture flashes into steam, causing the viscoelastic dough to puff and form the porous network. This process yields an expansion ratio of typically 3 to 5 times the original volume for corn-based extrudates, though volumetric increases up to 8 times can occur depending on formulation and conditions.[36][37] Key influences on the expansion include die geometry, which determines the initial shape and stress release, and the abrupt pressure differential, leading to a final low bulk density of 0.05 to 0.15 g/cm³.[34] Uniformity of the structure is challenged by temperature gradients across the extrudate cross-section, which can cause uneven steam generation and cell coalescence, as well as the instantaneous flash-off of moisture that may lead to localized collapse if not controlled.[38] These factors highlight the precision required in extrusion parameters to achieve consistent cell distribution and maximal expansion without defects like tunneling or uneven density.Sensory Characteristics
Appearance
Puffcorn displays a range of shapes influenced by the extrusion die and processing parameters, commonly appearing as irregular curls, cylindrical sticks, or more rounded forms. These variations, such as curls and flakes, enhance aesthetic appeal and are achieved through specific die configurations during manufacturing.[39][40] The base color of unflavored puffcorn is typically golden-yellow, derived from the natural hue of corn starch, though processing can introduce slight browning via Maillard reactions. Flavor coatings significantly alter this appearance; for instance, cheese powder imparts a vibrant orange tint, while other seasonings like spices may add reddish undertones.[40][41] Surface characteristics feature a lightly textured or uneven exterior due to the porous, expanded structure formed during puffing, often resulting in a slightly rough feel visible as small fissures or cells. Seasoning application typically involves a fine powder coating, yielding a matte finish that adheres to the irregular surfaces, though oil-based flavors can produce a subtle glossy sheen.[42][43]Texture
Puffcorn is renowned for its high crispiness, a tactile property stemming from its low moisture content, typically maintained below 4% to preserve a brittle, cellular matrix that fractures cleanly under minimal force.[44] This results in enabling rapid breakdown into small fragments during mastication and producing a satisfying crunch without excessive effort.[45] The mouthfeel of puffcorn is distinctly light and airy, derived from the expansion process that incorporates steam-generated voids, allowing the product to dissolve quickly in the mouth with minimal toughness or resistance.[46] Oil content, often introduced during frying, contributes a subtle greasiness that coats the tongue lightly, enhancing the overall sensory experience without compromising the delicate structure.[46] Texture variability in puffcorn is pronounced under differing storage conditions; exposure to high relative humidity (above 50% RH) promotes moisture sorption, softening the product by reducing deformability modulus from approximately 0.95 MPa to 0.15 MPa and diminishing crispiness through fewer micro-fractures.[42] Conversely, over-drying can increase hardness, leading to a tougher bite that deviates from the ideal fragile consistency.[46]Flavor Profiles
Puffcorn possesses a mild, corn-sweet neutral base flavor, derived from the inherent taste of maize, which provides a subtle sweetness and allows applied seasonings to dominate the overall sensory experience.[47] This neutrality stems from the extrusion process that gelatinizes starches while preserving the fundamental corn character without overpowering notes.[48] During extrusion, Maillard reactions between amino acids and reducing sugars generate umami compounds, contributing savory depth to the base profile and enhancing palatability through non-enzymatic browning pathways.[49] These reactions occur under high-temperature, short-time conditions typical of puffing, producing flavor precursors that impart a subtle roasted undertone independent of added ingredients.[50] The aroma profile features volatile aldehydes, such as hexanal and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, along with ketones formed during thermal processing, which contribute toasty and oxidized notes that complement the corn base.[51] These compounds arise from lipid oxidation and heating, adding a light, warmed cereal character to the scent.[52] Flavor intensity is balanced by sodium, often applied via post-extrusion seasoning, which heightens perceived savoriness, while incorporated fats further enhance mouth-coating palatability.[39]Varieties
Traditional Flavors
The cheese flavor emerged as the dominant traditional flavor for puffcorn following its accidental invention in the 1930s at the Flakall Corporation in Wisconsin, where workers coated the initial puffed corn extrusions with cheese powder to create an appealing snack.[10] This tangy, savory profile is typically achieved through a seasoning blend incorporating whey for creaminess, cheddar cheese powder for sharpness, and annatto extract for the iconic orange hue.[53] Commercial examples like Cheez Doodles, developed by Morrie Yohai in the late 1950s and produced by Old London Foods, popularized this flavor nationwide, becoming a staple in American snack culture.[54] Caramel emerged as a popular traditional sweet flavor for puffcorn, typically applied as a coating of sugar syrup, butter, and vanilla post-extrusion to create a crunchy, glazed treat reminiscent of caramel corn but without kernels. This variant gained traction in the mid-20th century alongside savory options, offering a contrast to cheese-focused profiles and appealing to consumers seeking dessert-like snacks.[55] Butter flavoring, often derived from oil and salt blends, provided a subtle richness akin to early popcorn snacks and became a traditional minimalist option highlighting the neutral corn base, maintaining popularity in regional brands during puffcorn's initial growth phase.[56]Modern and Health-Focused Variants
In the 2000s, manufacturers began developing healthier puffcorn variants by incorporating nutrient-dense ingredients such as whole grains, oat flour, flaxseed, and chia seeds to enhance fiber content and overall nutritional profile. For instance, extruded puffcorn made with corn meal blended with up to 20% chia seeds demonstrates improved protein and fiber levels while maintaining the characteristic light texture through high-pressure puffing processes. Similarly, whole grain puffed corn cereals, produced from yellow corn without added sugars or salts, offer a low-fat alternative suitable for breakfast consumption. These innovations address consumer demand for functional snacks that provide digestive benefits from added soluble fibers like those in flaxseed blends.[57][58] Air-popped or baked puffcorn styles emerged as low-calorie options, with brands like Like Air offering varieties at approximately 50 calories per cup, free from artificial additives and made from non-GMO corn for a gluten-free profile. These variants reduce fat content compared to traditional fried versions by avoiding oils during processing, appealing to health-conscious eaters seeking lighter snacks without compromising the airy expansion.[4][59] Barbecue and chili flavors, characterized by smoky spices, paprika for color and mild heat, and blends evoking grilled or spiced profiles, entered the puffcorn market in the 1990s amid expanding flavor innovation.[2] These options added a spicy dimension to the category, with barbecue drawing from American grilling traditions and chili incorporating chili powder for bold warmth. During the 2010s and 2020s, exotic flavors expanded puffcorn's appeal, particularly in seasonal markets, with introductions like pumpkin spice capturing autumn trends through blends of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin essence applied post-puffing. Brands such as Like Air and specialized producers have limited-edition offerings in flavors like apple cinnamon, targeting holiday consumers with natural spice infusions for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. These developments build on the cheese base of traditional varieties but shift toward bolder, thematic profiles to differentiate in competitive retail spaces.[60][61][62] Functional fortifications have positioned some puffcorn as versatile breakfast adaptations, with enrichments including vitamins, minerals, and protein isolates to boost daily nutrient intake. Commercial examples feature corn meal fortified with ferrous sulfate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, and folic acid during extrusion, providing essential micronutrients in snack form. Research-driven variants incorporate protein sources like fish powder or sesame seeds, yielding puffed products with elevated protein content—up to 15-20% in blends—while preserving crispiness for cereal-like applications. These additions support puffcorn's evolution into nutrient-enhanced foods for active lifestyles.[63][41][64]Nutritional Aspects
Macronutrient Breakdown
A standard 28-gram serving of cheese-flavored puffcorn, a common variety of this extruded corn snack, provides approximately 148 calories.[65] This serving typically contains 9.4 grams of total fat, accounting for about 55% of the caloric content and primarily derived from corn oil and cheese flavoring components.[65] Carbohydrates make up about 40% of the energy, with 15.3 grams per serving, predominantly in the form of starch from the corn base.[65] Protein contributes 3-5% of the calories, amounting to 1.9 grams.[65]| Nutrient | Amount per 28g Serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 148 | 7% |
| Total Fat | 9.4 g | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 15.3 g | 6% |
| Protein | 1.9 g | 4% |