Household seasoning powder plays an important role in modern cooking; it not only enhances the flavor of dishes but also adds color and aroma to food. However, during production, transportation, and usage, seasoning powders can clump (form clumps, have poor flowability, and dispersion issues). Once clumping occurs, it can affect the product's effectiveness. So, what are the main reasons for clumping?
During production, high moisture content in raw materials, low-density powder spices, and fine particle size (micropowder) can all cause clumping. Controlling the moisture content of raw materials is key during production. Clumps formed by low density and fine particles can be resolved by increasing the mixing intensity in application.
Moisture absorption and significant temperature changes
Some specific seasoning powders by the professional custom seasoning supplier will clump when they absorb moisture or when temperature changes occur, such as garlic powder, onion powder, and high sugar content seasoning powders. If these types of seasoning powders are not properly sealed during storage, they easily absorb moisture and clump.
Temperature changes during transportation
If seasoning powders from the asian spices company are subject to compression and temperature changes during transportation, clumping can occur. Strict control of transport conditions is necessary, such as not exceeding the specified stacking heights and avoiding exposure to direct sunlight or moisture.
High oil content
Products such as Szechuan pepper powder, cumin powder wholesale, nutmeg powder, clove powder, and Litsea cubeba powder have high oil content. Oil may exude after packaging, causing secondary clumping. When producing such seasoning powders, having a wide particle size distribution and larger particles can significantly reduce clumping.
Poor dispersion
Some products, such as ginger powder from the dry ginger powder manufacturers, have a high fiber content and poor dispersion and flowability, which makes them prone to clumping during storage.
False clumping
Many clumps in seasoning powders are false clumping and not true clumps. They can disperse under slight external force. Note that seasoning powders should not be stored in a freezer due to the significant temperature difference with the outside environment, which can cause clumping. The suitable storage environment for seasoning powders is a refrigerator or a cool storeroom.
By controlling key points in production, processing, transportation, and storage, the incidence of seasoning powder clumping can be greatly reduced. In addition, mixing clump-prone and non-clump-prone seasoning powders to make compound spices, or adding anti-caking agents like food-grade silicon dioxide to seasoning powders, can also address clumping issues to a certain extent.
