PROCEDE DE PREPARATION D'UNE FARINE MASA, FARINE MASA ET SES APPLICATIONS

Preparation of masa flour comprising flour and semolina made from horned dentate (Corne Dente) varieties of maize from which the pericarp has been removed, comprises thermal treatment in the presence of an alkaline substance to gelatinize the starch, followed by mixing and incorporation of additives. Process for preparing Masa flour comprises: (a) preparing at least one flour and at least one semolina, using one or more varieties of maize from which the pericarp has been removed; (b) subjecting the flour(s) and the semolina(s) prepared in stage (a), separately or in admixture, and with addition of an alkaline substance to one or other of the components or to the mixture, to a thermal treatment that gelatinizes the starch; and (c) mixing the flour(s) and the semolina(s), if not previously mixed during the thermal treatment, and optionally adding one or more additives which modify or extend the functional properties of the masa flour obtained. An Independent claim is also included for an apparatus suitable for carrying out the thermal treatment of the flour and semolina.