Hard candy is produced through a series of detailed steps. Below is the comprehensive process for making hard candy:
1. 【Material Receiving:】
- A designated person collects the production notification from the sales department.
- Determine the required raw materials and calculate their quantities. After collection, place them in the workshop in the appropriate locations and arrange them neatly.
【Notes:】
- Verify the types and quantities of raw materials.
- When pulling the cart, check the safety of the cart and be particularly careful to prevent material loss.
2. 【Sugar Melting:】
- Add 30% water to the hard candy production line, pour in the weighed granulated sugar, and turn on the steam to melt the sugar. Once the sugar is completely dissolved and boiling, maintain the pressure at 0.38-0.42 MPa and control the temperature at 105°C—110°C.
【Notes:】
- Control the temperature carefully.
3. 【Filtration:】
- Use a 300 mesh filter.
- Regularly check the filter mesh and clean it promptly after use.
【Notes:】
- Ensure the filter is clean and intact.
4. 【Vacuum Cooking in Hard Candy Equipment:】
- Concentrate the melted sugar syrup under vacuum, maintaining the pressure at 0.7-0.8 MPa and the temperature at 145°C.
- Each batch of syrup should weigh 30 kg ± 1 kg and be placed in the cooling tank.
【Notes:】
- Control the concentration temperature.
5. 【Cooling:】
- Cool the syrup in the cooling tank to 110°C—115°C.
【Notes:】
- Control the temperature.
6. 【Adding Auxiliary Materials and Mixing:】
- Place the first cooled syrup on a table, add colorants, auxiliary materials, and flavorings, and fold repeatedly to ensure uniform mixing.
【Notes:】
- Ensure auxiliary materials are mixed evenly.
- Place the mixed candy mass in the cooling tank to cool to 80°C—90°C before pulling strips.
【Notes:】
- Control the temperature.
7. 【Shaping:】
- Place the cooled syrup on a surface or mixing bed to pull strips.
- Ensure that the size and thickness of the strips are consistent for machine shaping.
- The shaped candy pieces are then cooled using a vibrating screen.
【Notes:】
- Maintain uniformity in the strip thickness during operation.
8. 【Screening:】
- Use a vibrating screen to sort the candy pieces, removing any unshaped waste candy.
【Notes:】
- Ensure the selection of non-conforming products.
9. 【Inner Packaging:】
- Disinfect before packaging.
- For pillow packaging: Ensure accurate computer tracking and that both vertical and horizontal sealing temperatures meet sealing requirements.
- For twist packaging: Ensure symmetrical twisting, the inner paper must be centered, and both ends must be twisted two and a half times without breakage.
10. 【Final Product Inspection:】
- Inspectors randomly sample products in the inner packaging workshop according to relevant standards and maintain original records, issuing inspection reports.
11. 【Outer Packaging:】
- Products that pass inspection are sent to the outer packaging workshop, where production dates, product names, and net content are marked on the outer packaging bags and boxes.
12. 【Storage:】
- Products that pass the factory inspection are placed in storage and an inventory receipt is issued.