Gelatinization of Corn Grits by Roll Cooking, Extrusion Cooking and Steaming

Abstract A large variety of cooked corn products can be prepared on rolls, in extruders or by steamcooking. Slight changes in operating conditions of the cooking equipment can bring about significant changes in absorption, solubility and viscosity properties of the cooked products. Production of processed materials with high water absorption and retaining high cooked paste viscosity appears more difficult by direct steaming than by use of the other methods. Roll‐cooking should be better than extrusion‐cooking for preparing materials of maximum water absorption and minimum water solubility. Such materials are well suited either for thick gruels or for industrial thickening or gelling agents. Extrusion‐cooking should be better for preparing materials of minimum water absorption and maximum water solubility. Such materials are well suited either for beverages or for industrial uses where adhesive properties are desired. Steamcooking should be suitable for preconditioning before roll‐ or extrusion‐cooking, but it appears that heating time must be held to a minimum.