Food Technology is a branch of science that deals with the methods and techniques involved in food production, processing, preservation, packaging, labeling, quality management, and distribution.
The concept involves transforming raw materials into edible and nutritious food items. Being a research-oriented field, a wide range of Food Technology courses have now emerged and are being offered by universities and colleges around the world to create professionals for diverse domains like hospitals, catering establishments, restaurants, food processing companies, among others.
Skills Required Before we delve deep into the courses, let us first understand the professional competencies required. A professional in Food Technology ensures that all the products are produced keeping in mind the safety and quality standards. Moreover, as a Food Technology expert, you are required to be academically sound and highly skilled to develop manufacturing processes and recipes of food and drink products. Below is a list of essential skills for building a career in Food Technology:
• Interest in Food Science
• Problem Solving Ability
• Excellent Organizational Skills
• Sound Technical Knowledge
• Research Skills
• Scientific & Analytical Reasoning ability
• Interest in Health and Nutrition
• Time Management
• Awareness of Consumer Market
POST-HARVEST TECHNOLOGY:-
Post harvest technology is a set of handling practices and applications that protect the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables from harvest until the time of consumption.
Post-harvest technology is concerned with the study and application of methods to maintain the quality of harvested commodities to prevent losses.
Importance of post-harvest technology:-
• Post-harvest technology is the application of technology to the post-harvest handling and storage of agricultural produce.
• Post-harvest technology can improve the quality and shelf life of agricultural products.
• Post-harvest technology can help to reduce the wastage of agricultural produce. • Post-harvest technology can help to improve the economics of agriculture.
Objectives of Post harvest technology :-
1. To reduce loss in quantity or volume and the product’s qualitative or nutritional value.
2. To maintain the excellent quality of the produce (color, taste, flavor, aroma).
3. To increases the shelf life of the crops.
4. To keep the fruits or vegetables or commodities free from insects and pests. In conclusion, post-harvest technology is immensely important in ensuring that crops are stored and transported properly. It can help to reduce wastage and improve the quality of the crops. There are a number of different technologies that can be used, and it is important to select the right one for each crop.