PURPOSE: To aim at efficient production of KOJI, by leveling KOJI rice after passing through a steaming and bed rubbing step into a layer on the inner wall of a drum by agitating paddles, adjusting the outside of the drum to a given temperature and adjusting the CO2 concentration in the drum to a given value.
CONSTITUTION: KOJI rice obtained by passing crushed rice through a steaming and bed rubbing step is charged into a drum 2, and agitating paddles 11 having combing plates 10 and (10a) at the tip thereof are intermittently operated in the drum 2 to carry out leveling operation to level the KOJI rice into a layer of given thickness on the inner wall of the drum 2. On the other hand, hot water automatically controlled at a given temperature by a temperature sensor 16 is circulated through a jacket 3 provided around the outer periphery of the drum 2, and gaseous carbon dioxide concentration in the drum 2 is sensed by a gaseous carbon dioxide sensor 36 to carry out ventilation control for blowing the gaseous carbon dioxide into the drum 2 so that the gaseous carbon dioxide concentration may be within the given range. The KOJI producing step is carried out under the above-mentioned conditions. As a result, KOJI production can be efficiently carried out in the automated apparatus using the crushed rice.
SOGA SHIGERU
AKAI TOMOHISA
AKAI TOMOHISA