SoyCow

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Soymilk Production Steps: 1. Soak soybeans in water 2. Discard soaking water and transfer beans along with fresh     water to grinding/cooking vessel. 3. Grind and pressure-cook mixture 4. Separate undissolved fiber (okara) from liquid (soymilk) 5. Make soyfoods from okara and soymilk Note: Each soymilk "batch" takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Soybean soaking time depends on soybean condition and water temperature. Typical yield is 7 L of soymilk per kg of soybeans.

The VitaCow system is available in 3 basic configurations:

1) With an electric boiler instead of the VitaGoat’s multi-fuel boiler

2) With an commercial blender instead of the VitaGoat’s pedal-powered grinder.

3) With both an electric boiler and an commercial blender

In all cases, the VitaCow uses the same pressure cooker, filter press and tofu box that is standard with the VitaGoat. The cost of shipping is slightly higher for the VitaGoat (or a VitaCow with a multi-fuel boiler) as it is somewhat heavier and larger.

Here are key elements of these systems:

VitaCow Configuration Options

Design and operation:

The SoyCow, VitaGoat and VitaCow are made from durable stainless steel and other sanitary materials and can last up to ten years if maintained properly. Installation typically takes 1 day and training another day or two. The area required for the system is modest, with a total of 10 m2 for the system operation and another 5-10m2 for storage of foods and ingredients, etc. Workers do not require special skills to operate and maintain the equipment, although it is good to have access to a person familiar with basic electricity and mechanical skills. 2 people can operate the system but more are employed if production includes value-added products. There are four main elements to each system: a grinder, a cooker (pressure vessel), a manual filter press and a steam generator (boiler). The grinder and cooker are combined in the case of the SoyCow. For the SoyCow, the boiler can be either electric, or a pressure boiler vessel fired by liquid gas burner. For the VitaCow, the boiler can be electric or a multi-fuel boiler (as for the VitaGoat). The systems have a number of safety features related to the steam pressure. They are also relatively easy and inexpensive to clean and maintain. For sanitary food processing, they require a kitchen-like environment with good ventilation.

Production:

The SoyCow and VitaCow with electric boiler can achieve a slightly higher production capacity than the VitaGoat (about 40-45Lper hour compared to 30-35L per hour for the VitaGoat). Any of these systems are intended for use in situations when the number of people served daily is in the hundreds or even over a thousand, since they are designed for a higher output compared to traditional or cottage industry production. Here is the production potential of these systems, based on selected foods:

With a portion size of 200 to 250ml, at least several hundred, and even over one thousand people can be served a portion of beverage or other value-added food if the equipment is used for at least several hours’ production per day.

Economic Benefits:

The SoyCow, VitaCow or VitaGoat can pay for itself within a year either by operation as a small business (for approx. 5 hours per day), or as the central element of a school midday-meal program, or via cost-savings realized in an institutional setting. Soya "dairy" foods (those that look like and are functionally equivalent to regular milk products) can be 50 to 75% less expensive than traditional dairy foods and still generate good income while providing a healthy, high-protein food. In addition, if foods such as tomatoes and mangoes can be processed with the VitaGoat or VitaCow when they are plentiful and inexpensive, and made shelf-stable through heat treatment, then significant income can be generated by selling the products in times when they are no longer available or very expensive. Each system can also generate five or more jobs, thus creating sustainable livelihoods for the community members as well.