Instant noodles are tasty, convenient, affordable, and industrially produced, making them a popular food choice for many around the world. Invented by Momofuku Ando in 1958 to assassinate his war-torn Japanese compatriots, they have become pervasive and commonplace today. But have you ever wondered what makes these noodles “instant”? In this blog, JOJOSE FOODS, a popular instant noodles supplier in China, explores the science behind instant noodles, shedding light on what makes them quick and easy to prepare.
Why were instant noodles invented?
The history of noodles dates back to China, where there is evidence that a noodle is boiled and fired and then served in a soup, similar to Yi noodles. When we talk about instant noodles, they were created by Momofuku Ando in Japan. The primary reason behind creating instant noodles was to provide food to the starving Japanese population post-World War II. The second contributor is the Japanese government’s quest to use up rations of wheat flour and oil supplied by US aid, and the third is Momofuku Ando, a recently unsuccessful businessman looking to rebuild his life.
Before Ando invented instant noodles, what made it possible was the process of mechanically curving noodles into a wavy shape, invented by Yoshio Murata during the 1950s. It was Murata’s invention that made it possible to curl the noodles dozens of times faster, paving the way for the mass production of instant noodles. Murata’s invention offered several benefits for the noodle industry, with noodles being easily fit into a small package, the possibility of sticking the noodles together being very low during cooking, and the advantage of cooking more evenly with elasticity being improved to easily eat them with a spoon or chopsticks.
Ando was informed by his contacts in the government that they were looking for ways to encourage Japanese people to eat American flour. Viewing this as a business opportunity, Ando developed the entire production method of flash-frying noodles, from the processes of noodle making, steaming, and seasoning to dehydrating in oil heat, thus inventing instant noodles.
This invention offered various advantages, such as making the noodles ready to eat in just two minutes by adding boiling water, giving them a longer shelf life, and making their price affordable to the common masses. Instant noodles then gained popularity across most parts of the world.
What makes instant noodles instant?
Instant cup noodles are called by various names, such as dried noodles, ramen, fresh noodles, and pasta. All these names derive similar images in our minds of noodles but are slightly different products.
All these start as a dough made from mostly durum wheat flour and water. Next, by rolling or extruding the dough, it is shaped into long strands, turning them into noodles.
The “instant” aspect of instant noodles lies in the way they are processed and prepared. The science that goes behind instant noodle preparation is:
- Flour
Noodles come in various varieties, and thus they are made with different kinds of flour, such as wheat, rice, or buckwheat flour. For making instant noodles, flours with 8.5–12.5% protein are considered optimal, as noodles must be able to withstand the drying process without breaking apart to convert them into instant noodles. High protein helps decrease fat uptake. Gluten, which is made up of glutenin and gliadin, is the most important part of wheat protein that forms the continuous viscoelastic dough of the noodles.
- Water
The second most important thing that goes into making instant noodles is water. For preparing instant noodles, dehydration is the key step after the making of the noodles to ensure inhibiting the formation of a hospitable environment for microorganisms. There are different regulations for moisture content, depending on the dehydration method. For instance, for instant noodles dehydrated by frying, the moisture content should not exceed 8%, and for instant noodles dehydrated using different methods other than frying, the moisture content cannot exceed 14.5%.
- Salt
To strengthen the gluten structures and enhance the sheeting properties of the dough, salt is added while making the flour dough. Salts help make noodles softer and more elastic. Salt also aids in providing the basic salty flavor of noodles to cover some of the off-flavor generated by flour and processing. Another important function that salt plays in a noodle is slowing down the activities of enzymes, such as proteolytic enzymes, that could interrupt the gluten structures and microbial growth.
For making fresh noodles, the amount of salt added is 1–3% of the flour weight, but in the case of instant noodles, which have a longer shelf life, noodles require a higher salt content.
- Kansui
Kansui, an alkaline solution, is composed mainly of a 9:1 ratio of sodium carbonate to potassium carbonate. Kansui added to noodles helps develop unique characteristics for the noodles. The addition of Kansui helps in the gluten development of the noodles and the promotion of the gelatinization of starches. Both of these factors give noodles the springiness and chewiness of ramen.
Kansui also aids in enhancing the yellow color of ramen noodles by bringing in flavonoids that are inherent in wheat flour.
- Oil
Oil is an important component of instant noodles, as frying is a typical dehydration process for producing instant noodles. Typically, manufacturers use palm oil for frying instant noodles due to its heat stability and low cost. This also makes instant noodles susceptible to lipid oxidation and the relatively high amount of preservative added. Thus, to avoid the generation of off-flavors and health-risking compounds, some instant noodles are dehydrated by other than the frying method to reduce fat content.
The Convenience of Instant Noodles
The rapid rehydration of instant noodles is what sets them apart from traditional pasta or noodles. When you want a quick and easy meal, you simply add hot water to the noodles, and within a few minutes, they become soft and ready to eat. This convenience has made instant noodles, and other snacking options such as jelly fruit cups, or chips a favorite choice for people with busy lifestyles, students, and anyone seeking a satisfying and hassle-free meal.
While the science behind instant noodles allows for this convenience, it’s important to keep in mind that their appeal goes beyond just their speed of preparation. The diverse flavors and versatility of instant noodles have made them a global comfort food, enjoyed in countless variations and cuisines.
JOJOSE FOODS, a leading noodle, chip, and Fruit Jelly Manufacturer provides the best instant cup noodles with varieties such as braised beef, seafood, curry, chicken, and customized flavor. By offering the feature of convenience with a wide variety of flavors combined JOJOSE FOODS has built a strong reputation for itself in the China market and is actively reaching the global audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the “instant” in instant noodles is a result of meticulous science and food engineering. The careful selection of ingredients, the unique processing methods, and the addition of alkaline solutions all contribute to the rapid rehydration and convenience of these beloved noodles. Understanding the science behind instant noodles deepens our appreciation for their quick preparation and versatility, making them a global culinary favorite for people with busy lives and discerning tastes.
