Crackers or Hard Biscuits
Crackers or hard biscuits are a type of baked food product that is typically characterized by a dry, crisp texture and a savory or slightly sweet flavour. They are often thin and have a longer shelf life compared to softer biscuits. Here’s a detailed look at what they are, their characteristics, and their uses:
Characteristics of Crackers or Hard Biscuits:
- Texture: Dry, crisp, and crunchy.
- Flavour: Can be savory, salty, or slightly sweet. Often seasoned with salt, herbs, cheese, or spices.
- Appearance: Generally thin and flat, often with perforations or docked holes to prevent excessive puffing during baking.
- Ingredients: Common ingredients include flour, water, oil or fat, salt, and various leavening agents. Additional ingredients may include sugar, milk powder, seeds, herbs, and spices.
- Shelf Life: Due to their low moisture content, they have a longer shelf life compared to soft biscuits and cookies.
Classification of Hard Dough/Crackers Biscuits on method of processing
Method of processing
- Sheeting cutting
- Rotary molding cutting
- Wire cutting
- Depositing cutting
Crackers or Hard Biscuits Production Flowchart
Here’s a detailed flowchart outlining the production process for crackers or hard biscuits, incorporating all the specified stages:
- Dough Mixer
- Purpose: Mixing all ingredients to form a consistent dough.
- Process: Ingredients like wheat flour, fat, sugar, salt, yeast, raising agents, and water are mixed thoroughly.
- Dough Feeding & Transfer Conveyor
- Purpose: Transfer mixed dough to the next processing stage.
- Process: The mixed dough is transferred from the mixer to the feeding and transfer conveyor.
- Cut-Sheet Laminator
- Purpose: Laminate the dough to enhance texture.
- Process: The dough is laminated by repeatedly folding and pressing to achieve the desired structure.
- Gauge Rollers
- Purpose: Roll the laminated dough to uniform thickness.
- Process: The laminated dough passes through gauge rollers to achieve consistent thickness.
- Resting Conveyor
- Purpose: Allow dough to rest and relax.
- Process: The rolled dough is conveyed to rest for a specified time to relax the gluten, making it easier to handle.
- Cutting Machine
- Purpose: Cut the dough into desired shapes.
- Process: The rested dough is cut into shapes using a cutting machine, often with a rotary cutter.
- Scrap Dough Return Conveyor
- Purpose: Recycle scrap dough.
- Process: Scraps from the cutting process are collected and returned to the dough mixer for reuse.
- Salt & Sesame Sprinkler
- Purpose: Add toppings to the cut dough.
- Process: Salt, sesame seeds, or other toppings are sprinkled onto the cut dough pieces.
- Biscuit Feeding Conveyor
- Purpose: Transfer dough pieces to the oven.
- Process: The dough pieces are conveyed to the biscuit oven.
- Biscuit Oven (Indirect Heating)
- Purpose: Bake the dough pieces.
- Process: The dough pieces are baked in an oven with indirect heating to ensure even baking and desired crispiness.
- Biscuit Take-Off Conveyor
- Purpose: Transfer baked biscuits from the oven.
- Process: Baked biscuits are transferred from the oven to the cooling section.
- Oil Spraying Machine
- Purpose: Apply oil coating to the baked biscuits.
- Process: A light spray of oil is applied to the biscuits for flavor and sheen.
- Spice Sprinkler
- Purpose: Add spices to the baked biscuits.
- Process: Spices or flavorings are sprinkled onto the biscuits post-baking.
- Biscuit Stacker
- Purpose: Stack biscuits for cooling.
- Process: Baked and flavored biscuits are stacked neatly for efficient cooling.
- Biscuit Cooling Conveyor
- Purpose: Cool the baked biscuits.
- Process: Stacked biscuits are conveyed through a cooling system to bring them to room temperature.
- Packaging Line
- Purpose: Package the cooled biscuits.
- Process: Cooled biscuits are packed into appropriate packaging for storage and transport.
- Dispatch/Storage
- Purpose: Store or dispatch the packed biscuits.
- Process: Packaged biscuits are stored in a warehouse or dispatched for distribution.
Please see more details in PDF (Download Free)