Food Processing

This industry processes nuts, popcorn, and dehydrated foods such as meat (beef/turkey jerky), fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Nuts:

• All nuts, except chestnuts, have hard shells that break under pressure.
• Nuts must be sized and dried below 10% moisture before cracking, roasting, or coating.

Popcorn:

• Composed of endosperm, germ, and pericarp.
• Only popcorn kernels can pop.
• Grown extensively in the U.S. corn belt.

Food Drying:

• Removes water to inhibit microorganism growth.
• Easiest and most cost-effective method of food preservation.