Heat Exchangers Support Premium Production of Spain’s Iconic Cold Soups
The Client
Gazpacho and salmorejo are traditional cold tomato-based soups popular throughout Spain, particularly in the southern region of Andalusia. In recent years, demand for these refreshing dishes has expanded from household kitchens to large-scale commercial production.
Today, producers range from major food brands to artisan companies offering premium fresh soups made with minimal processing. These products are typically sold chilled, with a short shelf life and high quality, often packaged in smaller transparent bottles to showcase their natural appearance.
The Challenge
With most production lines now used to process both gazpacho and salmorejo, manufacturers require flexible systems capable of handling varying viscosities. Salmorejo is thicker than gazpacho due to the addition of bread and requires greater pressure and specialised equipment.
Key processing challenges include:
- Preserving freshness and flavour
- Managing high viscosity and texture variations
- Gentle pasteurisation and rapid cooling
- Adapting to different batch sizes and packaging formats
The Solution
HRS Heat Exchangers has been supporting cold soup producers for nearly 30 years, providing thermal solutions tailored to both established and emerging manufacturers in the food sector.
To meet the challenges of viscous, heat-sensitive products, HRS supplies the MI Series multitube heat exchanger. This system is designed to deliver:
- Gentle pasteurisation with minimal temperature lift
- Corrugated tube technology for improved heat transfer and reduced fouling
- Operating pressures between 16–25 bar, with capacity for higher pressure when needed
- Immediate cooling post-pasteurisation to protect product integrity
These features ensure that both gazpacho and salmorejo retain their natural taste and vibrant appearance while meeting modern food safety standards.
The flexibility and performance of the HRS MI Series allow manufacturers to switch between product types while maintaining consistent quality. This supports the production of premium cold soups that meet consumer expectations for freshness and authenticity, even on a commercial scale.
For more information on HRS’s pasteurisation and cooling systems for gazpacho, salmorejo, and other high-viscosity food products, please contact our team today.