Ruokamassan

Ruokamassan is a Finnish term used to describe a semi-solid, paste-like food material. The word combines ruokaa, meaning food, with massa, meaning mass or paste. It is a generic label rather than a precise culinary or scientific category, and its exact meaning depends on context.

In everyday cooking and gastronomy, ruokamassan can refer to mixtures that have been mashed, blended, or pureed, such as vegetable or fruit purées, mashed potatoes, or fillings that require a paste-like consistency. It is commonly used to describe preparations that serve as bases for sauces, fillings, or ergonomic ingredients in dishes.

In food processing and manufacturing, ruokamassan may denote an intermediate or semi-fluid product that is handled before final shaping, forming, or cooking. The term emphasizes texture and consistency, rather than a specific recipe.

In health and nutrition contexts, the concept of texture-modified foods often aligns with products described as soft, mashed, or pureed; in these settings, ruokamassan can be used informally to refer to foods prepared to a particular paste-like texture suitable for certain dietary needs. However, the precise terminology is usually defined by product specifications, standards, or clinical guidelines.

See also: puree, paste, dough, food texture, texture-modified diet, cocoa mass.