Understanding Overrun in Shakes and Soft Serve [With Calculator]

When it comes to creating the perfect shake or soft serve, achieving the right texture is key—and overrun plays a significant role in that. Overrun refers to the amount of air incorporated into a shake or soft serve mix during the freezing process, which makes the product lighter, fluffier, and gives it that classic creamy texture we all love.

In simple terms, overrun is the increase in volume of the mix due to the air that’s added during freezing. It’s typically expressed as a percentage, and understanding how to calculate overrun is important for the best tasting product and control food costs.

How to Calculate Overrun for Shakes and Soft Serve

Calculating overrun is a straightforward process that can help you assess the quality and consistency of your shake or soft serve. Follow these steps to determine the overrun percentage:

  1. Measure the Volume of the Mix (Y): Before incorporating air, measure the volume of your raw shake or soft serve mix. For example, if you have 15 oz of mix, that’s your starting point.
  2. Measure the Volume of the Finished Product (X): After blending or freezing, measure the final volume of the shake or soft serve with the air incorporated. Suppose the volume now measures 10 oz.
  3. Calculate the Difference: Subtract the initial volume (Y) from the final volume (X).
  4. Divide by the Initial Volume: Divide the difference by the initial volume of the mix.
  5. Multiply by 100: Multiply the result by 100 to get the overrun percentage.

In this example, the overrun is 33%, meaning that 33% of the final product's volume is air, which gives it that light and fluffy texture.

Why Is Overrun Important?

The right amount of overrun affects the texture, mouthfeel, and even the taste of your product. If there’s too little air, your soft serve or shake may end up dense and heavy, while too much air can make it too light and possibly dilute the flavor. Ideally, overrun for soft serve should range between 35% and 60% for optimal quality and consistency.

Need Help Perfecting Your Overrun?

If you need guidance on achieving the perfect overrun for your shakes or soft serve, or if you're looking for the right equipment to maintain consistency, reach out to Taylor Products. Our team can help you fine-tune your process for top-notch results every time.

Overrun Calculator

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