Table 2 Duration of cowpea processing steps in artisanal “atta” production
Steps | Equipment or tools used | Time required (in minutes) for 1 kg of cowpeas |
|---|---|---|
Sorting cowpeas | Sieve, plate/bowl/plastic or aluminum tray | 10–20 |
Crushing cowpeas | Mortar, mechanical mill or grinding wheel | 5–30 |
Soaking crushed cowpeas | Plastic or aluminum bowl | 5–10 |
Skinning | Plastic or aluminum bowl | 10–15 |
Washing of cotyledons | Plastic or aluminum bowl | 5 |
Soaking cotyledons | Plastic or aluminum bowl | 20–30 |
Draining | Plastic or aluminum colander, basket | 5–10 |
Seasoning | 5 | |
Milling | Mechanical mill | 5–10 |
Mixing | Plastic or aluminum bowl, spatula | 30–60 |
Frying | Spoon, skimmer, aluminum pan, coal or fagot stoves or litter, gas stoves | 10–15 |
Draining | Aluminum strainer, aluminum basket, bowl, or plate | 10 |
All processing steps | 100–200 |