Napasol Roast Finish bulk nut roasting lines

Napasol lines load nuts in 2000 lb (907 kg) bulk bins which move automatically from the preheating station to the pasteuriser and onto the cooler. The Roast Finish module is an optional addition that is placed between the pasteuriser and cooler.

Saturated steam applied in the pasteuriser heats the load to temperatures up to 120°C. The load is then moved to the module, which facilitates roasting temperatures of 130 to 180°C in the pasteurised load. In addition to the roasting volumes provided, energy consumption may be reduced by half in the roast finish process.

The process can result in colours and flavours designed to meet the tight specifications required for ingredients. Users may roast macadamias, pistachios, hazelnuts and almonds for both retail and industrial applications, and nuts of various sizes, including cut and nut meal, can be processed on the line. The flavouring of roasted nuts is achieved by seasoning the raw nuts before loading the product in the bins and running them through the line.

The roasting step is subsequent to a validated pasteurisation step, therefore air temperature and exposure times can be adjusted specifically to achieve targeted roasting colour, flavour and textures. As the nuts are contained in a bin, there is little mechanical damage and waste. Product changeover time may also be minimised as the nuts do not come into contact with the processing line, and bins can be cleaned offline while running the next product.

This technology is available for applications including nuts, seeds, herbs, spices and other low-moisture foods.