In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how are cornflakes made” with an in-depth analysis of how we can use cornflakes. Moreover, we are going to discuss the making process in detail.
How are cornflakes made?
Cornflakes are made from corn grits. First of all, a corn kernel is cooked and then dried out and at the end toasted to get corn flakes which we eat in our breakfast with milk or pure.
The corn flasks are not made only corn grifts in which other things are also added like corn bran and cornmeal. It is a combination of these ingredients. But the main ingredient of our product is corn grifts.
What is the procedure for corn flakes manufacturing?
The preparation of corn flask is divided into five main procedures which are:
- Preparation of corn grifts
- Mixing of the ingredients
- Cooking
- Flaking
- Drying and roasting
The Full description of these 5 procedures is given below:
At the farm:
It takes almost 2 months to grow corn and harvest after 2 months it will go to almost 5 feet. They cut the corn and send it to the mill where the corn is separated from the lower part then cleaned, sifted, and rolled, and then it is sent to the cornflakes factory where it passes through a different process and turns into a final product for consumers.
In this factory first of all peel the corn and remove all the flour and germs. The husk germs and flour contain many nutrients. By removing all of this you lose many nutrients.
1. Preparation of corn grits:
The whole corn kernel is sent toward the boiling process where a multistage process occurs where the boiled kernel is dried, roasted, and rolled. There the boiling process is done via a technical method of pressure boiling. High-pressure boiling proceeds and the corn kernel boils.
The corn is steamed in the cooker via hydrothermal treatment. This cooker is rotated continuously so a uniform drying occurs to the whole kernel. The rolling process occurs as the pre-drying drying process takes place on a perforated floor then for mixing it is added to a machine in which 4 blades fit which cut it into pieces and mix. After mixing an airflow is vertically applied so the corn dries out.
2. Mixing of the ingredients:
The next stage after corn grits preparation is mixing all the other ingredients are as follow:
All the corn grits are weighed into a cooker and then all other additives sugar salt malts are added. Then all the dried ingredients such as salt emulsifier grits are added and mixed.
Then a process called gelatinization occurs. After all of this, the grits are dried and cool. They are ready to cook.
3. Cooking:
There are two methods of cooking corn grits: traditional cooking and extrusion. Traditional cooking is simple cooking as it is done at home. The extrusion is by applying techniques.
Traditional corn flasks are cooked in a steam cooker until they change their color to brown. They are loosely held together.
In the extrusion process, corn is cooked, steamed, and dried out and undergoes a dumping process. In this process, all the corn flakes have almost similar flaky shapes.
After this, the product is transferred into a twin-screw extruder. After the thermomechanical treatment, the homogeneous mixture is ready.
4. Flaking:
The next step is to roll the corn into the flakes for this purpose a hydraulic compacting pressure is used which applies high pressure and all the corn are flakes of inconsistent quality.
After all this process the flakes are transferred into the glaring device in which the flakes are left to dry out. Through the counter and thermo rotating cylinder, all the flakes complete their cycle.
5. Roasting and drying:
Bypassing all the steps the corn flakes are now ready to roast and cool. They are still soft. They are further heated in the roaster.
Now the flakes are added into a rotating perforated drum by providing a uniform airflow. After 90 seconds crispy and golden flakes are ready to eat.
To know more about its packaging and further processes click here
What is the nutritional value of cornflakes?
The nutritional value of cornflakes is given below:
- Total calories per 100 grams:
- 357
- Total fat: 0.4 g
- Potassium: 168 mg
- Sodium: 729 mg
- Carbohydrates: 84 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Protein: 8 g
- Vitamin B6: 90%
- Vitamin C: 35%
- Iron: 160%
- Magnesium: 9%
Conclusion:
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how are cornflakes made” with an in-depth analysis of how we can use cornflakes. Moreover, we discussed the making process in detail.