One of the most important stages of the ice cream production process is the period when a certain shape is given to the sweet milk mass. This is sometimes what plays the main role for the buyer at the moment when he must make his choice. Briquette ice cream is well known to many since childhood. In the days of the former Soviet Union, this method of packaging was quite popular.
Magic rectangle
In the pre-war years, when ice cream was just beginning to be produced in our country, the main emphasis was on small-packaged products. Products in waffle cups, tubes and, of course, popsicle were in great demand at that time. Briquette ice cream appeared a little later. This is a special type of small-packaged product when the frozen milk mass is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped.
Outwardly, of course, he was not very attractive. But the simplified form had its advantages. Firstly, ice cream briquette is easier to transport. Smooth packages fit perfectly in boxes and reach the point of sale in perfect condition. Secondly, you can bring it home and make your favorite dessert at your discretion. For example, put it in a convenient dish and decorate with various fillers. Thirdly, ice cream briquette not only perfectly retains its original shape, but is also perfectly protected from various external influences. True, these days it is not so relevant, because most of these products are now packaged in colorful protective film. Nevertheless, briquette ball remains a fairly popular packaging option.
Production secrets
Many people still choose the ice-cream briquette from the whole variety of products that are on store shelves. A photo of this product conveys only its external simplicity. But it is not able to convey to the buyer the complexity of the production process. Few people know that ice cream packing can be done in different ways:
- jigging;
- filling;
- molding;
- by extrusion.
For each type of product, the most suitable option is used. For the production of briquettes, the filling method is more often used, when the chilled mass is dosed into pre-prepared containers. It can be a cardboard box or paper packaging. The whipped mixture is poured in, sealed, and then sent to the freezer for final cooling. In this case, the variety of the product does not matter. It can be ice cream, cream or chocolate ice cream.
All necessary information is indicated on the label. The buyer can only choose the product according to the main indicators and, of course, appearance.
Nice addition
A variation of the popular packaging option is ice cream wafer briquette. Under production conditions, they began to do it this way only in the post-war period. Prior to this, the saleswoman on the street, using a spoon and a special simple device, manually placed the frozen milk mass between two crispy plates. Later, special filling machines were installed in the factories. The principle of their action is very simple. Wafers arrive at the enterprise in finished form, packed in plastic wrap. They are manually installed in the "pockets", from where the products are sent from two sides under the injector. Unhardened ice cream after the freezer is pumped into the dispenser. After it, a measured portion is placed between two wafer sheets. The remaining stages of the process are in standard mode.
To eat ice cream in such a briquette, you do not need additional devices in the form of wooden sticks or spoons. True, you should be very careful while eating and make sure that the thawed product does not stain your clothes.
Customer reviews
By studying statistics, manufacturers can conclude that customers really like ice cream-wafer briquette. The photo of the manufactured products suggests that enterprises are making enough efforts to attract attention to their products. First of all, packaging materials are being improved. If earlier ice cream was wrapped exclusively in paper, now lined foil is increasingly being used.
It has several advantages over conventional packaging. Firstly, this material is more durable. Secondly, it is practical, as it does not get wet even after a possible melting of the product. Thirdly, the most complex drawings, including photographs, can be applied to the foil. This makes it possible to make the appearance of the product more vivid and attractive. But the main thing is still the product itself. Its good quality, accurate execution and presentable packaging are what the buyer always wants to see.