This invention relates to Jerusalem artichoke (topinambur chips) and method of production of Jerusalem artichoke (topinambur) chips.

Starch snacks and method of obtaining of starch snacks are known from Polish patent description No. PL173586. Starch snacks comprise a product in the form of dry product with different shapes and water content within 5-20 %. Their base form cooked and uncooked starch products, especially potato products, mixed in mass ratio of dry substances from 1:20 and 1 :0,05. Cooked starch products are products in which starch underwent pasting during technological process and these are flakes, granules or starch agglomerates, especially potato one, and different kinds of rebuilt starches, cold soluble. Uncooked starch products are flours and starch semolina, especially potato one. The way snacks are obtained is based on thorough blending of properly selected ingredients with water in order to form homogenous mixture with 15 - 50 % of water content, and then desired shaping, cutting and drying up to water content of 5 - 20 %.

Potato crisps known from the Polish patent application No. PL384049, contain added protein formulation obtained from fresh potato juice which chemical composition was not modified. Crisps are characterized by preferable organoleptic properties, especially crunchy and delicate texture.

Invention may find application in food industry.

Other potato crisps known from the Polish patent application No. PL384050, contain added distillery yeast, preferably dry. The added yeast improves organoleptic properties and nutritional value and gives unique flavour-aromatic and structural properties, enriches them at the same time with microelements and B group vitamins.

From the Polish patent application No. PL385438, are known also potato crisps, which contain potato starch, potato grit, corn semolina, in which linseed pomace is added, preferably obtained by cold pressing of oil. Adding linseed pomace improves organoleptic properties and nutritional value and gives unique flavour-aromatic and structural properties, at the same time enriching with fibre, protein, lignans, microelements and vitamins.

Invention may find application in food industry.

The essence of chips according to the invention is within a product in form of dried topinambur slices 3 mm thick, with water content up to 7 % and natural flavour additives in about of 1 %-30 % in mass of the product, preferably the tissue of dried topinambur slices is aerated by air bubbles which increase volume of the product and the surface of slices is covered with smaller and/or bigger bubbles.

Preferably, natural flavour additives comprise paprika sprinkle, however the most preferred is when paprika sprinkle contains dried red bell pepper and/or aroma of paprika in about of 50 - 99,8 %, black pepper extract in about of 0,1 - 25 % and oregano ground in about ofO,l - 25 %.

Preferably, natural flavour additives comprise a garlic flavour additive, however the most preferred is when garlic flavour additive contains garlic extract in about of 35 - 55 %, garlic ground in about of 0,1 - 25 %, sea salt in about of 5 - 32 %, citric acid in about of 0,1 - 15 % and parsley leaves in about of 0,1 - 15 %.

Preferably, natural flavour additives comprise vinaigrette mixture, however the most preferred is when vinaigrette mixture contains wine vinegar in about of 60 - 93 %, dried yeast extract in about of 0,1 - 20 %, citric acid in about of 0,1 - 15 %, black pepper extract in about of 0,1 - 15 % and dried garlic concentrate in about of 0,1 - 15 %.

Preferably, natural flavour additives comprise pizza flavour sprinkle, however the most preferred is when pizza flavour sprinkle contains dried tomato ground in about of 40-60 %, dried red bell pepper in about of 2,25 - 27,6 %, black pepper extract in about of 0,1 - 15 %, sea salt in about of 10 - 30 %, dried onion concentrate in about of 2 - 22 %, citric acid anhydrate in about of 0,1 - 15 %, oregano ground in about of 0,1 - 20 %, and basil fines in about of 0,1 - 20 %.

The essence of the method according to the invention is that topinambur tubers are weighted, cleaned, rinsed with water and washed by brush washer, and washed tubers are sorted and narrow root pieces are removed, afterwards tubers are cut with cutting machine into slices from 0,5 to 12 mm thick, and cut topinambur slices are blanched. After the blanching process slices are cooled with cold stream of water, and afterwards slices are preliminary dried, while pre-drying means drying at the temperature 50 - 100 ⁰ C within 50 - 90 minutes, to obtain moisture from 15 to 40 % together with air cooling at the temperature approx. 15 ⁰ C. Pre-dried slices are aerated by rapid water evaporation, which cause appearance of characteristic smaller and/or bigger bubbles which increase volume of the product, however aeration is conducted in microwave- vacuum dryer during 2 - 10 minutes, at the pressure 15 - 70 hPa and applied microwave power of 10 - 100 kW, after that slices are post dried at the temperature 40 - 70 ⁰ C within 1 - 4 hours, to obtain moisture below 7 %, which results in crispy texture at the same time, dried slices are sieved and packed. Topinambur slices are blanched in water at the temperature from 90 to 100 ⁰ C for 5 - 50 minutes or in steam for 5 - 30 minutes.

It is preferred if preliminary drying together with cooling is conducted in fluid-bed dryer or pulsed-fluid bed dryer.

Preferably, dried flakes are sieved through a screen with the square mesh, while mesh side length is 10 mm or 15 mm.

Preferably, pre-dried topinambur slices are mixed with paprika sprinkle, in quantity of 1 - 30 % of product weight, which contains red bell pepper or aroma of paprika in about of 50 - 99,8 %, black pepper extract in about of 0,1 - 25 % and oregano ground in about ofO,l - 25 %.

Preferably, after the blanching process, topinambur slices are soaked in solution of garlic additive for 5 - 30 minutes, however the most preferred is when garlic flavour additive contains garlic extract in about of 35 - 55 %, garlic ground in about of 0,1 - 25 %, sea salt in about of 5 - 32 %, citric acid in about of 0,1 - 15 % and parsley leaves in about of 0,1 - 15 %, which are dissolved in water at the temperature 15 - 25 ⁰ C to concentration 1 - 30 %.

Preferably, after blanching process, topinambur slices are soaked in vinaigrette solution within 5 - 30 minutes, however the most preferably is when vinaigrette mixture contain wine vinegar in about of 60 - 93 %, dried yeast extract in about of 0,1 - 20 %, citric acid in about of 0,1 - 15 %, black pepper extract in about of 0,1 - 15 % and dried garlic concentrate in about of 0,1 - 15 %, which are dissolved in water at the temperature 15 - 25 ⁰ C to concentration 1 - 30 %.

Preferably, pre-dried topinambur slices are mixed with pizza, flavoured sprinkle, in quantity of 1 - 30 % of product weight, which contains dried tomato ground in about of 40 - 60 %, dried red bell pepper in about of 2,25 - 27,6 %, black pepper extract in about of 0,1 - 15 %, sea salt in about of 10 - 30 %, dried onion concentrate in about of 2 - 22 %, citric acid anhydrate in about of 0,1 - 15 %, oregano ground in about of 0,1 - 20 %, and basil fines in about of 0,1 - 20 %.

The benefit of the chips made from topinambur tubers is their taste, comparable with the taste of potato chips, while forming a healthy fat-free product reach in fibre. Chips are manufactured with no added sugar, fat, colorants, preservatives, and do not contain allergens, are produced from non GMO tubers, which have, after drying natural colour and appearance, and also pleasant and crunchy texture. The drying method assures high content of aroma compounds and minerals and vitamins. Topinambur chips are a great alternative for unhealthy and fattening potato snacks. Topinambur tubers from which the chips are made, contain twice as much ascorbic acid and thiamine than potatoes, contain also a lot of potassium, zinc, phosphorus, iron and silica. Topinambur contains proteins, sugars, amino acids, and also carbohydrates, from which, the main is water soluble inulin, composed mainly of simple fructose units, which are joined by a glycosidic bond. Inulin in human body is hydrolyzed to fructose, which can be safely consumed by diabetics. Inulin - together with pectin's and fibre absorbs large numbers of unnecessary and harmful compounds such as heavy metals, radionuclides, cholesterol, fatty acids, toxic compounds. Inulin increases the energy efficiency of the body cells. Topinambur has also hypolipidemic and immune properties, reduces increased cholesterol level and raised glucose level, also facilitates the weight loss.

The method of chips production, according to the invention, enables obtain healthy and tasty chips suitable also for diabetics.

The invention is described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows topinambur chips.

Example 1

Topinambur chips comprise a product in form of dried topinambur slices 3 mm thick, with water content up to 7 % and 30 % of natural flavour additives in form of paprika sprinkle in mass of the product. Paprika sprinkle contains dried red bell pepper and Robertet aroma of paprika in about of 99,8 %, black pepper extract in about of 0,1 and oregano ground in about of 0,1. Chips are very hot, crunchy and crispy, and the tissue of dried topinambur slices is aerated by air bubbles which increase volume of the product, and which are visible on the slices surface in form of smaller and bigger bubbles.

Example 2

Topinambur chips made as in 1 ^st example, with the difference that topinambur slices are 2 mm thick, contain 4 % of water, and 10 % of natural flavour additives in form of paprika sprinkle in mass of the product, while paprika sprinkle contains dried red bell pepper in about of 45 % and IFF aroma of paprika in about of 5 %, black pepper extract in about of 25 % and oregano ground in about of 25 %. Chips are more hot and aromatic.

Example 3

Topinambur chips made as in 1 ^st example, with the difference that topinambur slices are 2,5 mm thick, contain 4,5 % of water, and garlic flavour additive in about of 10 % in mass of the product, while garlic flavour additive contains garlic extract in about of 55 %, garlic ground in about of 25 %, sea salt in about of 5 %, citric acid in about of 10 % and parsley leaves in about of 5 %.

Example 4

Topinambur chips made as in 3 ^rd example, with the difference that topinambur slices are 1,5 mm thick, contain 3 % of water, and garlic flavour additive in about of 25 % in mass of the product, while garlic flavour additive contains garlic extract in about 35 %, garlic ground Paula in about of 25 %, sea salt in about of 10 %, citric acid in about of 15 % and parsley leaves in about of 15 %.

Example 5

Topinambur chips made as in 1 ^st example, with the difference that topinambur slices are 2 mm thick, contain 2 % of water, and natural flavour additives in form of vinaigrette mixture in about of 5 %, which contain wine vinegar in about of 93 %, dried yeast extract in about of 1 %, citric acid in about of 1 %, black pepper extract in about of 2,5 % and dried garlic concentrate in about of 2,5 %.

Example 6

Topinambur chips made as in 5 ^th example, with the difference that vinaigrette mixture contain wine vinegar in about of 60 %, dried yeast extract in about of 15 %, citric acid in about of 5 %, black pepper extract in about of 10 % and dried garlic concentrate in about of 10 %. Example 7

Topinambur chips made as in 1 ^st example, with the difference that topinambur slices are 1 mm thick, contain 3,5 % of water, and 8 % of natural flavour additives in form of pizza flavoured sprinkle. Pizza flavoured sprinkle contains dried tomato ground in about of 40 %, dried red bell pepper in about of 27,1 %, black pepper extract in about of 1,5 %, sea salt in about of 10 %, dried onion concentrate in about of 2 %, citric acid anhydrate in about of 0,9 %, oregano ground in about of 9 %, and basil fines in about of 9 %.

Example 8

Topinambur chips made as in 7 ^th example, with the difference that pizza flavoured sprinkle contains dried tomato ground in about of 50 %, dried red bell pepper in about of 7 %, black pepper extract in about of 0,9 %, sea salt in about of 10 %, dried onion concentrate in about of 2 %, citric acid anhydrate in about of 0,1 %, oregano ground in about of 15 %, and basil fines in about of 15 %.

Example 9

The method of chips production, implies that supplied topinambur tubers are weighed and recorded in production report, and then cleaned of soil residuals and other mineral impurities, then rinsed thoroughly with water and passed through the brush washer to remove any contaminants. Then, on the inspection table, washed tubers are sorted also damaged tubers are eliminated and narrow root pieces are removed as well. Herein prepared topinambur tubers are cut in the URSCHEL cutting machine into slices 12 mm thick, during filling the cutting machine with tubers, material is distributed evenly in order to load proportionally the cutting chamber. Cut topinambur slices are blanched in water at the temperature from 100 ⁰ C for 50 minutes, and after the blanching process they are cooled with cold stream of water. Afterwards topinambur slices are preliminary dried in fluid-bed dryer. Filling with raw material is about of 1000 kg. Preliminary drying is conducted at the temperature 100 ⁰ C within 90 minutes. Air separators settlement is about 60 % with 90 % of blown air and 100 % of exhausted air. Once slices contain 40 % of moisture, they are cooled in fluid-bed dryer with cold air at the temperature approx. 15 ⁰ C for 15 minutes. Preliminary dried topinambur slices are mixed with paprika sprinkle, in quantity of 30 % of product weight, which contains dried red bell pepper and paprika flavouring in about of 50 %, black pepper extract in about of 25 % and oregano ground in about of 25 %. 3kg batches of seasoned and pre-dried flakes are aerated by rapid water evaporation, which cause appearance of characteristic smaller and bigger bubbles which increase volume of the product. Aeration is conducted in microwave-vacuum dryer during 10 minutes, at the pressure 25 hPa and provided microwave power 24 kW, after that slices are finally dried at the temperature 70 ⁰ C within 1 hour, down to 7 % of moisture at which point crispy texture is achieved. Dried slices are sieved through a screen with the square mesh 15 mm size. Fraction approved is packed into aluminum bags Triplex 60x40, 2 kg each. The bags prepared in such way are labeled, packed into carton, 3 bags per carton.. Final product is stored in the warehouse, on the pallet, with 24 cartons per pallet, protected with stretch foil.

Example 10

The method of chips production is according to 9 ^th example, with the difference that topinambur tubers are cut in the URSCHEL cutting machine into slices 4 mm thick, slices are blanched in steam at the temperature from 9O ⁰ C and the pressure 0,15 MPa for 30 minutes, after that slices are preliminary dried, while preliminary drying implies drying at the temperature 80 ⁰ C for 50 minutes to obtain moisture from 30 % and includes cooling the product with air at the temperature about 15 ⁰ C. Preliminary dried topinambur slices are mixed with paprika sprinkle, in quantity of 1 % of the product, which contains dried red bell pepper in about of 99,8 %, black pepper extract in about of 0,1 % and oregano ground in about of 0,1 %. 8kg batches of seasoned and pre-dried flakes are aerated in microwave- vacuum dryer during 2 minutes, at the pressure 25 hPa and provided microwave power 100 kW. After that slices are finally dried at the temperature 40 ⁰ C within 4 hours, down to 4 % of moisture at which point crispy texture is achieved, and dried slices are sieved through a screen with the square mesh, 10 mm size and packed. Taste of the particular flakes differs, depending on the quantity of the sprinkle with which slices are covered during blending.

Example 11

The method of chips production is according to 9 ^th or 10 ^th example, with the difference that topinambur tubers are cut in the URSCHEL cutting machine into slices 3 mm thick, slices are blanched in water at the temperature 90 ⁰ C for 40 minutes, and after blanching process slices are cooled with cold stream of water. After blanching process, topinambur slices are soaked in 30 % water solution of garlic additive at the temperature 25 ⁰ C for 5 minutes, while garlic flavour additive contains garlic extract in about of 55 %, garlic ground in about of 25 %, sea salt in about of 5 %, citric acid in about of 5 % and parsley leaves in about of 15 %. After that seasoned flakes are aerated by rapid water evaporation, which cause appearance of characteristic smaller and bigger bubbles which increase volume of the product. Aeration is conducted in microwave- vacuum dryer during 7 minutes, at the pressure 70 hPa and provided microwave power 70 kW, after that slices are finally dried at the temperature 40 ⁰ C within 2 hours, down to 4 % moisture content at which point crispy texture is achieved.

Example 12

The method of chips production is according to 9 ^th or 10 ^th example, with the difference that topinambur tubers are cut in the URSCHEL cutting machine into slices 2 mm thick, slices are blanched in water at the temperature 85 ⁰ C for 30 minutes, and after blanching process slices are cooled with cold stream of air at the temperature approx. 15 ⁰ C. After blanching process, topinambur slices are soaked in 1 % water solution of garlic additive at the temperature 15 ⁰ C for 30 minutes, while garlic flavour additive contains garlic extract in about of 35 %, garlic ground in about of 3 %, sea salt in about of 32 %, citric acid in about of 15 % and parsley leaves in about of 15 %. After that seasoned flakes are aerated by rapid water evaporation, which cause appearance of characteristic smaller and bigger bubbles which increase volume of the product. Aeration is conducted in microwave-vacuum dryer during 6 minutes, at the pressure 25 hPa and provided microwave power 20 kW, after that slices are finally dried at the temperature 40 ⁰ C within 2 hours, down to 4 % moisture content at which point crispy texture is achieved. After that dried slices are sieved through a screen with the square mesh, 10 mm size.

Example 13

The method of chips production is according to 9 or 10 example, with the difference that topinambur tubers are cut in the URSCHEL cutting machine into slices 5 mm thick, slices are blanched in water at the temperature 95 ⁰ C for 30 minutes, and after blanching process slices are cooled with cold stream of air. After that cooled topinambur slices are soaked in 30 % water solution of vinaigrette mixture at the temperature 20 ⁰ C for 15 minutes, while vinaigrette mixture contains wine vinegar in about of 60 %, dried yeast extract in about of 20 %, citric acid in about of 5 %, black pepper extract in about of 5 %, and dried garlic concentrate in about of 10 %. After that seasoned flakes are aerated by rapid water evaporation, which cause appearance of characteristic smaller and bigger bubbles which increase volume of the product. Aeration is conducted in microwave-vacuum dryer during 10 minutes, at the pressure 40 hPa and provided microwave power 48 kW, after that slices are finally dried at the temperature 60 ⁰ C within 3 hours, down to 3 % moisture content at which point crispy texture is achieved. All chips have homogenous taste, so that solution is easily absorbed inside the tissue.

Example 14

The method of chips production is according to 9 ^th or 10 ^th example, with the difference that topinambur tubers are cut in the URSCHEL cutting machine into slices 1 mm thick, slices are blanched in water at the temperature 90 ⁰ C for 20 minutes, and after blanching process slices are cooled with cold water. After blanching process topinambur slices are soaked in 20 % of water solution of vinaigrette mixture which contains wine vinegar in about of 93 %, dried yeast extract in about of 1 %, citric acid in about of 1,1 %, black pepper extract in about of 0,9 %, and dried garlic concentrate in about of 4 %. After that seasoned flakes are aerated by rapid water evaporation, which cause appearance of characteristic smaller and bigger bubbles which increase volume of the product, while aeration is conducted in microwave- vacuum dryer during 5 minutes, at the pressure 25 hPa and provided microwave power 28 kW. Aerated slices are finally dried at the temperature 45 ⁰ C within 3 hours, down to less than 6 % moisture content at which point crispy texture is achieved. After that dried slices are sieved through a screen with the square mesh, 15 mm size.

Example 15

The method of chips production, implies that supplied topinambur tubers are weighed and recorded in production report, and then cleaned of soil residuals and other mineral impurities, then rinsed thoroughly with water and passed through the brush washer to remove any contaminants. Then, on the inspection table, washed tubers are sorted, damaged tubers are eliminated and narrow root pieces are removed as well. Herein prepared topinambur tubers are cut in the URSCHEL cutting machine into slices 1 mm thick, during filling the cutting machine with tubers, material is distributed evenly in order to load proportionally the cutting chamber. Cut topinambur slices are blanched in water at the temperature 100 ⁰ C for 50 minutes, and after blanching process they are cooled with cold stream of water. Afterwards topinambur slices are preliminary dried in pulse-fluid-bed dryer. Input load into the machine is about 1000 kg. Preliminary drying is conducted at the temperature 100 ⁰ C within 90 minutes. Air separators settlement in the dryer is about 60 % with 90 % of blown air and 100 % of exhausted air. Once the slices achieved 20 % moisture content, they are cooled in pulse-fluid-bed dryer with cold air at the temperature approx. 15 ⁰ C for 15 minutes. Preliminary dried topinambur slices are mixed with pizza flavour sprinkle, in quantity of 10 % of product weight, which contains dried tomato ground in about of 50 %, dried red bell pepper and paprika flavouring in about of 10 %, black pepper extract in about of 3 %, sea salt in about of 10 %, dried onion concentrate in about of 6 %, citric acid anhydrate in about of 5 %, oregano ground in about of 7 %, and basil fines in about of 9 %. Seasoned and pre-dried flakes, in 8kg batches, are aerated by rapid water evaporation, which cause appearance of characteristic smaller and bigger bubbles which increase volume of the product. Aeration is conducted in microwave-vacuum dryer during 10 minutes, at the pressure 70 hPa and provided microwave power 52 kW, after that slices are finally dried at the temperature 65 ⁰ C within 2 hours, down to 2 % moisture content at which point crispy texture is achieved. Dried slices are sieved through a screen with the square mesh, 15 mm size. Fraction approved is packed into aluminum bags Triplex 60x40, 2 kg each. Bags prepared in this way are labeled, packed into carton, 3 bags per carton. Final product is stored in the warehouse, on the pallet, with 24 cartons per pallet, protected with stretch foil.

Example 16

The method of chips production is according to 15 ^th example, with the difference that topinambur tubers are cut into slices 0,5 mm thick, slices are blanched in steam at the temperature from 90 ⁰ C and at the pressure 0,15 MPa for 5 minutes, after that slices are preliminary dried, while preliminary drying implies drying at the temperature 80 ⁰ C for 50 minutes to obtain moisture from 30 % and includes cooling with air at the temperature about 15 ⁰ C. Preliminary dried topinambur slices are mixed with pizza flavour sprinkle, in quantity of 10 % of product weight, which contains dried tomato ground in about of 60 %, dried red bell pepper in about of 4 %, black pepper extract in about of 2 %, sea salt in about of 30 %, dried onion concentrate in about of 2 %, citric acid anhydrate in about of 1 %, oregano ground in about of 0,2 %, and basil fines in about of 0,8 %. Seasoned and pre-dried flakes are aerated in microwave-vacuum dryer during 5 minutes, at the pressure 17 hPa and provided microwave power 14 kW. After that slices are finally dried at the temperature 60 ⁰ C within 3 hours, down to 3 % moisture content at which point crispy texture is achieved, and dried slices are sieved through a screen with the square mesh, 15 mm size and packed.

Chips according to the invention are characterized by high crunchiness and crispiness because the dried tissue of topinambur slices is aerated by rapid volumetric water evaporation, increasing volume of the product, of which surface is coated with smaller and/or bigger crunchy bubbles. Such a structure, made them light and delicate with crunchiness comparable to potato chips. The percentage selection of ingredients and additives in way of examples is just an attempt to show the possibilities offered by the application of topinambur in chips manufacturing, which are organic product and are easily assimilated, and above all do not contain fat additives.

Topinambur chips can be produced without salt, and also with hot and mild tastes; because of the know consumer taste preferences, only the typical product flavours were presented.