As confectionery manufacturing evolves, cutting-edge cooking and depositing technologies are enhancing efficiency, precision, and sustainability
Driven by the need for efficiency, consistency, and sustainability, cooking and depositing technologies have advanced significantly, allowing manufacturers to improve production processes while maintaining high product quality. These innovations are essential in ensuring confectioners can meet increasing consumer expectations, particularly in terms of product uniformity, variety and reduced environmental impact.
One of the most significant areas of development is in cooking, where precision control over temperature and ingredient handling ensures consistency in syrups, creams and jellies. Depositing technologies have also evolved, with high-speed, multi-layer depositing systems allowing for greater flexibility in production while retaining artisanal qualities. At the same time, manufacturers are placing a greater emphasis on sustainability, reducing waste and optimising energy efficiency.
Precision, Ingredient Handling, and Automation
Cooking is one of the most critical processes in confectionery production, and technological advancements have helped manufacturers achieve greater control over temperatures, ingredient mixing and product consistency. With the growing demand for high-quality confectionery, manufacturers are integrating automated monitoring systems to ensure every batch meets precise specifications. These improvements enhance flavour and texture while contributing to greater energy efficiency and waste reduction.
Temperature control is vital, as even minor fluctuations can affect texture, flavour and shelf life. Traditional cooking methods relied on manual intervention, often leading to variability in batch quality. Today, automated temperature regulation systems ensure precise heat control, reducing the risk of overcooking or undercooking. These systems use real-time monitoring and predictive adjustments, helping manufacturers maintain exact temperature profiles throughout the cooking process.
An example of such innovation can be found in the FireMixer-14 by Savage Bros. This high-precision, automatic tabletop confectionery cooker-mixer is designed to provide precise heat control, reducing the risk of overcooking or undercooking. It features separate product and kettle temperature controls, allowing for meticulous management of the cooking process. This level of automation enhances product consistency and quality, addressing the challenges associated with traditional manual cooking methods.
Additionally, new technologies, such as induction heating and infrared cooking, allow for rapid heating while maintaining stable temperatures. Unlike conventional gas or electric heating, induction systems provide instantaneous temperature adjustments, minimising heat loss and improving energy efficiency. This is particularly beneficial for delicate confectionery such as ganache fillings, caramel, and fudge, where precise heat application is crucial to achieving the desired texture.
Steam management systems are also improving, enabling precise control over moisture content, which is essential for soft-centred chocolates, fruit fillings, and aerated confectionery. In marshmallow and nougat production, controlled steam injection ensures the ideal balance between aeration and moisture retention, preventing products from becoming too dry or sticky. These advancements allow manufacturers to fine-tune moisture levels to improve shelf stability and mouthfeel.
Vacuum cooking is another development that allows manufacturers to reduce cooking temperatures while preserving delicate flavours and textures. By cooking at lower temperatures under reduced pressure, manufacturers can prevent heat-sensitive ingredients from degrading, retaining the natural aromas and colours of fruit-based confections such as strawberry and citrus jellies. Additionally, this method helps maintain the integrity of plant-based and sugar-free formulations, where excessive heat can impact functional ingredients like polyols and natural sweeteners.
To achieve consistency, ingredient handling must be precise. Automated dosing and mixing systems help manufacturers control ingredient proportions, ensuring each batch meets exact specifications. These systems are particularly beneficial for delicate inclusions such as fruit pieces, nuts, or aerated ingredients, preventing damage during processing. Modern ingredient handling solutions also reduce the risk of human error, contamination, and batch-to-batch variation.
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Joseph Clarke
Editor, International Confectionery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920
Email: editor@in-confectionery.com
