Gelatinized Dough Barrier for Dual-Texture Food Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Developing food products with dual textures, such as crispy and soft/creamy, that maintain these characteristics over a long shelf life is challenging due to fat migration between the outer shell and filling, which degrades the texture.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the formation of a gelatinized dough by heating a flour and water slurry, followed by the addition of a fat-based component, and baking to create a dual-textured foodstuff with a crispy dough-based component and a soft fat-based component, where the dough acts as a barrier to prevent fat migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a fat-based filling is placed within a dough-based outer shell, then the product achieves dual texture (crispy exterior and soft/creamy interior), but fat migration occurs from the filling to the outer shell, degrading the texture quality over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual texture stabilityVSAvoidfat migration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A barrier layer is introduced between the fat-based filling and the dough-based outer shell to prevent direct contact and fat migration. The barrier layer acts as an intermediary substance that blocks the harmful fat migration while allowing the dual texture to be maintained throughout the shelf life of the product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The product structure is divided into three distinct segments: the outer dough-based shell, the intermediate barrier layer, and the inner fat-based filling. This segmentation prevents the direct interaction between incompatible components (fat and dough) while maintaining the desired dual texture characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the product is designed with a long shelf life, then the dual texture should be maintained over time, but fat migration progressively degrades the crispy and soft texture characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf lifeVSAvoidtexture quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier layer serves as a protective intermediary that remains effective throughout the entire shelf life of the product, continuously preventing fat migration and thereby maintaining texture quality over extended storage periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier layer is pre-installed between the filling and shell before the product is consumed, providing proactive protection against fat migration throughout the shelf life, rather than attempting to repair texture degradation after it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Quantity of substance

If the dough-based component has high affinity for fat, then it can absorb flavor from the filling, but it rapidly absorbs fat causing loss of crispness and degradation of the outer shell texture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefat absorptionVSAvoidcrispness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier layer acts as a selective intermediary that prevents the dough-based component from absorbing fat while still allowing flavor compounds to pass through, thereby maintaining crispness while preserving flavor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the product are given different properties: the barrier layer has fat-repelling properties to protect the outer shell, while the dough-based component retains its natural fat-absorbing capability for flavor enhancement. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between flavor absorption and texture maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively maintains the dual texture of the foodstuff for an extended period, including at least 6 months, by minimizing fat migration between the dough-based and fat-based components, ensuring the crispy and soft textures remain intact throughout the shelf life.

Implementation Method 1

exposing the slurry to heat at conditions sufficient to produce a gelatinized dough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGelatinization:

Implementation Method 2

the slurry may be heated by steam, which may be injected into the slurry. The steam may have a temperature of 100°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteam heating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the dough acts as a barrier to prevent fat migration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFat migration barrier:

Data Source

PatentEP2914130B1Method for producing crispy foodstuff with soft portion
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC
  • EP2914130B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2914130B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2914130B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Compositions and methods related to a baked dough-based component based on a pre-baked heat-treated flour, the baked dough-based component having a first fat concentration and a crispy texture; and a baked fat-based component in direct contact with the baked dough-based component, having a second fat concentration that is higher than the first fat concentration, the baked fat-based component having a soft texture; wherein the foodstuff exhibits a dual texture comprising a crispy texture of the dough- based component and a soft texture of the fat-based component, and wherein the dual texture is maintained throughout the shelf life of the foodstuff.