Instant porridge is processed by simply mixing the milled, carbohydrate-rich food blend with water and heating it to at least 37°C. This process differentiates instant porridge from traditional porridge, which typically requires a longer cooking time, often involving boiling for at least 10 minutes to achieve the desired viscosity.
Here's a breakdown of the instant porridge process:
- Milling: The grain (typically oats, but also rice, corn, or other grains) is milled into a fine powder.
- Mixing: The milled grain is combined with other ingredients such as milk powder, sweeteners (sugar, honey, etc.), flavorings (fruit pieces, spices), and sometimes added vitamins and minerals.
- Instantization: The mixture undergoes a process that makes it readily soluble in water. This can involve pre-cooking and drying techniques that make the starch more easily absorb water.
- Preparation: To prepare instant porridge, you mix the pre-processed powder with hot water or milk.
- Heating (Optional): While heating isn't always strictly required to make it safe to eat (the "instant" nature implies it is pre-cooked), warming the mixture typically improves the texture and flavor. Heating to a minimum of 37°C is sufficient.
Essentially, the processing of instant porridge is designed to drastically reduce the cooking time, allowing for a quick and easy meal. This is achieved through pre-processing the grains into a form that readily absorbs liquid and thickens with minimal heat.
