October 15th
Our October meeting, just before Deepavali, was an interesting one. No flowers, but a workshop on something sweet! Our member sensei Trishala arranged for us to visit their food factory.,
Megafoods, in the Ambattur Industrial estate.
The fruits - papaya, guava, black grapes, apples, bananas and pears - had been bought, washed, cut and pureed, in order to save time.
Twelve members were present, (as also young Shivani, who kept us all entertained!), and after a briefing by Mr Amit Vaishnav on the processes, controls and quality checks required for a food unit, we were taken down to the unit, to see a small batch of mixed fruit jam and eggless mayonnaise be prepared.
 |
| Members with our hairnet caps! |
 |
The small size of the batch meant that the heating was done on a regular gas stove, and not
in one of the larger steel cauldrons that lined the room. |
 |
Mr Vaishnav explaining the ingredients - pectin, sugar, citric acid, colouring and
flavouring that goes into the jam. |
As the fruit puree bubbled and boiled, we moved to the mixer/grinder where the mayo preparation was beginning.
 |
The eggless mayo uses milk protein instead, and while all the dry ingredients are first given
a mix with water, the oil is added in a steady stream as the mixer blends, in order to give the consistency. |
 |
The finished jam is actually liquid while hot, and only attains the "jam" consistency on cooling to
room temperature. |
 |
| It is therefore easy to pour and bottle. For larger batches, there is a mechanised bottling line as well. |
 |
| Pepper mayo, bottled and ready for us! |
 |
And the mixed fruit jam as well!
|
After a sumptuous lunch hosted by our gracious hosts, we returned to the factory, as the members had ordered various other sauces, jams, squashes and pickles to try!
It was late afternoon by the time we all departed, a morning well spent!
Our sincere thanks to Trishala and Amit for organising this and answering our innumerable questions, patiently!
A Happy Deepavali to all!
Comments