Onion powder is one of the most commonly used seasonings in our daily lives. It has the rich aroma of fresh onions, along with a longer shelf life and easy storage. In modern factories, onion powder production uses standardized processes to ensure hygienic conditions, uniform particle size, and preserved rich flavor. Below is a simple yet professional description of the onion powder manufacturing process.
1. Raw Material Selection and Sorting
Select high-quality fresh onions—typically white or yellow varieties with a high dry matter content. Onions are inspected manually or through a conveyor sorting system to remove damaged, rotten, or sprouting bulbs.
2. Peeling and Washing
Automatic onion peeling machines use compressed air or friction rollers to quickly and efficiently remove the outer, dry skin without damaging the edible layer. After peeling, the mechanically peeled onions are fed into an air bubble washer to remove dirt and external impurities.
3. Cutting and Slicing
The peeled onions are fed into an onion slicer. Slices are typically 2-3 mm thick to expedite the drying process. Mechanically sliced onions produce more uniform thickness, allowing for better control over the drying process.
4. Dehydration
This is the most critical step. Onion slices are evenly spread onto trays or mesh belts before being fed into a hot air drying chamber or continuous belt dryer. The goal is to reduce the moisture content from approximately 80% to below 7%. Temperature control is typically 60-70°C to preserve color, flavor, and nutrients while preventing burning or browning. Some factories use sulfur-free drying and low-temperature drying to preserve the onions' natural whiteness and aroma.
5. Grinding
When completely dried, the onions become crispy flakes. Depending on the desired fineness, an onion grinder is used. The final powder particle size ranges from coarse to ultrafine 80-100 mesh, depending on customer requirements.
6. Sieving
A vibrating screen separates the fine onion powder from any oversized particles. This uniform particle size improves solubility and mixing properties in spices, snacks, sauces, and instant foods.
7. Metal Detection
Before packaging, metal detectors and optical sensors ensure that the onion powder is free of contaminants. Parameters such as moisture content, color, flavor intensity, and microbial content are tested to meet international food safety standards.
8. Packaging
The onion powder is packaged in moisture- and oxygen-barrier composite bags, cans, or bulk cartons. Export-grade products are typically nitrogen-flushed. Finished products are stored in a cool, dry warehouse to prevent clumping and flavor loss.
This is the onion powder manufacturing process. We are an onion powder processing line manufacturer and can provide complete onion powder processing solutions. If you would like to learn more, please feel free to contact us for a complete quote and solution.
