Truffle and Mushrooms

Truffle Theory

Written by: Sofia Makridou - Office Administrator at Truffle Theory

Company overview

TRUFFLE THEORY operates in the food industry, specialising in fresh truffles and packaged truffle products produced in-house. Our production includes both pasteurised and non-pasteurised products.

Challenge

For the production of one of our products, Black Truffle Paste, we needed a temperature data logger to monitor the pasteurisation process.

Until then, our production volumes had been relatively small, so a standard temperature logger was sufficient. However, as demand increased and we began producing larger batches, we needed a solution that would allow us to monitor temperatures wirelessly.

Solution

This is how we discovered HAM Systems.

We ordered a temperature logger with two sensor probes, but we initially faced a practical challenge: how to insert the probe into the jar while keeping it properly sealed during pasteurisation.

The solution was to ask HAM Systems to provide us with a small fitting, similar to a valve, with an opening through which the temperature probe could pass.

We then took our jar lids to a technician, preferably a machinist for this type of work, who drilled the required hole into each lid. The fitting was installed through the lid, with the temperature probe positioned inside it.

The entire assembly was then sealed using food-grade silicone suitable for contact with food. It is important to apply silicone both inside the guide through which the sensor cable passes and on both sides of the lid to ensure proper sealing.

One point to keep in mind is that, because the lids are exposed to high temperatures during pasteurisation, they need to be replaced after approximately 2–4 uses, as they no longer seal properly. The fitting itself is not affected and can be reused with a new lid.

Feedback

The results we achieved using the HAM Systems temperature loggers during pasteurisation were exactly what we needed.

Following microbiological testing of control jars, the results confirmed that the product had been properly pasteurised and was free from microbial contamination.

During the initial setup, and later when we changed the location where pasteurisation was carried out, we experienced some connectivity issues. In most cases, the logger was connected through a mobile phone hotspot.

The support provided by the HAM Systems team was extremely valuable. They stayed with us until every issue was resolved and were patient and helpful throughout the entire process, regardless of how long troubleshooting took.

The HAM Systems platform is very easy to use and straightforward, even from a mobile phone, where applications can sometimes be more difficult to navigate due to the smaller screen.

Indicative photos from the installed equipment