Using CreamThick in Hot Process Emulsions
Question
Hello,
I would like to ask whether CreamThick can be used with hot process.
The technical information page seems contradictory. It says it can withstand heat, but also says to avoid temperatures below 50°C.
The methods I am considering are:
- Mix it with water before doing hot process
Or
- Mix it separately with water, then add it into the emulsion during cool down below 40°C
Answer
CreamThick™ (Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate) can be used in a formula that has a hot-process step, but the powder should not be dispersed directly into hot water or into a hot emulsion.
From the current catalog data, the key distinction is:
| Step | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Dispersing / hydrating CreamThick™ | Use cold or room-temperature water. Avoid dispersing in water above 50°C. |
| Later heating of the formula | Acceptable after CreamThick™ has already been fully dispersed in the water phase. |
| Adding at cool-down below 40°C | Also acceptable if the pre-dispersed CreamThick™ slurry can be mixed in uniformly. |
For your two proposed methods, method 1 is usually the better choice:
- Pre-mix CreamThick™ with water at room temperature or cold temperature until fully dispersed.
- Then use that water phase in the hot-process step.
Method 2 can work, but it is more likely to create viscosity shock, lumps, or uneven distribution if the emulsion is already thick or cooling quickly. If using method 2, pre-disperse CreamThick™ in a separate water portion first, then add it during cool-down with enough mixing time for uniform distribution.
So the wording is best interpreted as: do not disperse CreamThick™ directly in hot water above 50°C; if heat is required, disperse it cold/room-temperature first, then heat in the following process step.
