Objective
To prepare a shelf-stable Instant Puran Premix Powder that can be reconstituted with hot water or milk and used to make puran within 5–10 minutes. INTRODUCTION
Instant Puran Premix is a Ready-to-Cook (RTC developed to simplify the traditional preparation of puran, the sweet filling used in Puran Poli, one of Maharashtra’s most popular traditional dishes. Conventionally, puran preparation involves soaking, cooking, mashing chana dal, cooking it with jaggery, and continuously stirring until the desired consistency is achieved. This process is labor-intensive and time-consuming.
The Instant Puran Premix is prepared by cooking chana dal with jaggery and spices, followed by drying and pulverizing the mixture into a fine powder. The premix can be quickly reconstituted by adding hot water, making it convenient for households, restaurants, caterers, and the food service industry while retaining the authentic taste and aroma of traditional puran. Importance of Instant Puran Premix
Preserves Tradition: Offers the authentic taste of traditional puran with modern convenience.
Time-Saving: Ready in 5–10 minutes, reducing traditional cooking time.
Convenient: Easy to prepare by simply adding hot water.
Long Shelf Life: Low moisture content helps maintain quality during storage.
Consistent Quality: Provides uniform taste, texture, and flavor in every batch.
Commercial Value: Suitable for retail, catering, and food service applications.
Raw material chana da1l ,jaggery ,sugar ,cardamaom powder Equipment Required
Washing tank
cooking vessel /steam cooker
Stainless steel trays
Tray dryer
Pulverizer
Vibratory sieve (40–60 mesh)
Moisture analyzer
Manufacturing Process Quality Parameters
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Moisture | <5% |
| Color | Yellowish-brown |
| Aroma | Characteristic jaggery & cardamom |
| Taste | Sweet with authentic puran flavor |
| Texture | Free-flowing powder |
| Water Activity (aw) | <0.60 |
Shelf Life
| Storage Condition | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Room temperature (airtight pouch) | 6 months |
| Cool & dry place | 8–9 months |
| Vacuum/Nitrogen packed | Up to 12 months (subject to validation) |
Preparation Method (For Consumers)
Take:
- 100 g Instant Puran Premix
- 60–70 ml hot water (adjust as needed)
Procedure:
- Add the premix to a bowl.
- Gradually add hot water while stirring.
- Mix for 3–5 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and rest for 5 minutes.
- The puran is ready for stuffing in puran poli.
Critical Control Points (CCPs)
| Process | Critical Control |
|---|---|
| Soaking | Avoid fermentation |
| Cooking | Ensure dal is fully cooked |
| Mixing | Uniform blending of jaggery and spices |
| Drying | Final moisture below 5% |
| Grinding | Prevent overheating to preserve flavor |
| Packaging | Moisture-proof, airtight sealing |
,
Introduction
Instant Puran Premix is a Ready-to-Cook (RTC) food product developed to simplify the traditional preparation of puran, the sweet filling used in Puran Poli, one of Maharashtra’s most popular traditional dishes. Conventionally, puran preparation involves soaking, cooking, mashing chana dal, cooking it with jaggery, and continuously stirring until the desired consistency is achieved. This process is labor-intensive and time-consuming.
The Instant Puran Premix is prepared by cooking chana dal with jaggery and spices, followed by drying and pulverizing the mixture into a fine powder. The premix can be quickly reconstituted by adding hot water, making it convenient for households, restaurants, caterers, and the food service industry while retaining the authentic taste and aroma of traditional puran.
Importance of Instant Puran Premix
Preserves Tradition: Offers the authentic taste of traditional puran with modern convenience.
Time-Saving: Ready in 5–10 minutes, reducing traditional cooking time.
Convenient: Easy to prepare by simply adding hot water.
Long Shelf Life: Low moisture content helps maintain quality during storage.
Consistent Quality: Provides uniform taste, texture, and flavor in every batch.
Applications
- Preparation of Puran Poli
- Traditional Maharashtrian sweets
- catering services
- Ready-to-cook meal kits
- Food service
- Cleaning and Sorting
Take the required quantity of chana dal.
Remove dust, stones, damaged grains, and other foreign materials.
- Washing
Wash the cleaned chana dal thoroughly with potable water.
- Cooking
Cook the washed chana dal in a pressure cooker for 5–6 whistles until it becomes soft.
- Mashing
Drain excess water, if any.
Mash the cooked chana dal to obtain a smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Mixing
Add jaggery and sugar to the mashed chana dal.
Mix thoroughly until the sweeteners are uniformly incorporated.
- Cooking
Cook the mixture on a low flame for a few minutes with continuous stirring until it thickens.
- Addition of Flavouring
Add cardamom powder and sunth (dry ginger) powder.
Mix well to ensure even distribution of the ingredients.
- Drying
Spread the prepared mixture uniformly (about 5–8 mm thickness) on stainless steel drying trays.
Dry the trays in a cabinet tray dryer at 55°C for 9 hours or until the product reaches the desired moisture content.
- Grinding
Grind the dried flakes into a fine powder.
- Sieving
Pass the powder through a 60-mesh sieve to obtain a uniform particle size.
- Packaging
Pack the instant puran premix in airtight, moisture-proof laminated pouches and seal properly.
- Storage
END USER
Households for quick preparation of Puran Poli.
Working professionals and students.
Restaurants, cafés, and catering services.
Sweet shops and bakeries.
Self-help groups (SHGs) and small food entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Instant Puran Premix is a convenient, ready-to-use product that significantly reduces the time and effort required to prepare traditional Puran Poli. The drying process improves shelf life while maintaining its characteristic taste and aroma. The premix offers consistency in quality, ease of storage, and convenience, making it suitable for both household and commercial use. With proper packaging and storage, it has good market potential as a value-added traditional food product.
