Drying means that the water in a liquid product is removed, so that the product takes on a solid form. The water content of powder products typically ranges between 1.5 and 5 %. Microorganisms are unable to reproduce at such a low water content. Drying extends the shelf life of the milk, simultaneously reducing its weight and volume. This reduces the cost of transporting and storing the product.
Commercial methods of drying are based on heat being supplied to the product. The water evaporates and is removed as vapour. The residue is the dried product – for example, the milk powder. Nowadays, spray drying is the method primarily used for drying in the dairy industry and gaining momentum in plant-based applications.
Incorporating the very latest technologies, Tetra Pak’s spray dryers for dairy and plant-based products lead the industry.
Malaysia
