Abstract: The present invention teaches of process for reducing the microbial population, in particular the pathogens, on the surface of food materials such as fruits and vegetables consisting of contacting the food material with a first aqueous medium having an acidic pH followed by transferring the food material to a second aqueous medium having a basic pH and washing the food material in tap water to remove the base residue on the surface of the food material.

Abstract: A process for producing a natural flavorant, green leaf essence, containing leaf aldehyde, leaf alcohol and at least 10% cis-3-hexenal is disclosed. The process comprises homogenizing strawberry leaves with or without stems attached thereto in water to form a slurry. Prior to homogenization or concurrently therewith, from 1 to 10 mM of linolenic acid is added. The homogenate is then fed to a scraped or wiped surface evaporator and subsequently fractionated and concentrated to form a green leaf essence. The essence may be added to a food product to impart a fresh green fruity flavor and/or enhance the fresh flavor impact of the food product.

Abstract: A one-step pectin gelling composition is produced by combining sugar, acid and pectin, the pectin having a D.M. of from 70 to 75 and a particle size of less than 200 microns.

Abstract: A method for solubilizing partially extracted roasted and ground coffee in a fixed bed reactor in the absence of any added acid catalyst is disclosed. The hydrolysis is effective to achieve a soluble solids yield of about 55% to about 68% based on the original roasted and ground coffee and it effects minimal degradation of the soluble solids generated.

Abstract: A non-clouding, shelf-stable tea concentrate is prepared by lowering the pH of a freshly-prepared concentrate (8 to 24% soluble solids) to between 2.9 and 3.5, chilling the concentrate to between 30.degree. and 45.degree. F., clarifying the concentrate to remove precipitate, and then elevating the pH of the clarified concentrate to between about 3.9 and 4.3. Preferably the freshly prepared concentrate is prepared by using water which is at least 99% deionized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cooking or reheating a comestible with microwave energy by utilizing a double-boiler cooking utensil. The double-boiler utensil contains a microwave susceptible liquid within an outer vessel and a cooking oil or fat within an inner vessel with the inner vessel providing conductive heat transfer between the microwave susceptible liquid and the cooking oil or fat. The process involves placing a comestible in the cooking oil or fat within the inner vessel and irradiating the cooking utensil containing the comestible for a period of time effective to cook the comestible. The microwave susceptible liquid when subjected to microwave energy functions to transfer sufficient heat to the cooking oil or fat to maintain a temperature on the surface of the comestible within the range of from 125.degree. C. to 225.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention is designed to obtain desirable flavor and aroma volatiles during processing of an aqueous coffee extract obtained from roasted and ground coffee. The overall process of preparing soluble coffee by spray drying a concentrated aqueous extract is improved by employing a stripper to remove up to 20% of the extract prior to concentration and to recover non-condensible and condensible aromas in cold water using an absorber having 4-48 plates and a 0.1/1 to 30/1 L/V ratio prior to reintroducing the absorbed aromas into the concentrated coffee extract and spray drying it to give an aromatized dry soluble coffee.

Abstract: A packaged frozen food product is provided which is housed in a package which includes a first, substantially microwave permeable portion having a first frozen food component housed therein, and a second, microwave reflective portion having a second frozen food component retained therein. The package also includes a void space between the first frozen food component and the second frozen food component. Upon microwave heating, the first frozen food component will be thawed and the second frozen food component will remain substantially frozen.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for reducing pour-off in instant rice product by coating cooked rice prior to drying with instant rice fines, said instant rice fines having a granulation of -20 m+80 m and is applied in amounts up to 2% by weight of the instant rice.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an apparatus and process for preparing different varieties of ready-to-eat cereal products utilizing substantially the same process comprising: an extruder and a hollow attachment connected at the discharge end of the extruder, said attachment being of sufficient area and length to sufficiently completely cook the food product in an enclosed environment; the food product being a farinaceous material which is fed to the extruder where it is mixed with sufficient moisture to form a dough and extruded for a time and at a temperature and pressure effective to commence the cooking process and wherein the heated dough passes into the hollow attachment connected at the discharge end of the extruder where the cooking is completed. The cooked dough exiting the extruder is cooled, shaped in its desired form and toasted to its desired final moisture content.

Abstract: Utilizing a combination of a low starch level, a high lauric acid-containing fat and from 0.12 to 0.2% sodium-stearoyl-2-lactylate a pudding is formulated which has a low on-line viscosity after cooking and sterilization and when subject to refrigerator storage develops a desirably high viscosity and a preferred texture and mouthfeel as compared to high starch level puddings. The cooked and sterilized pudding formulation of this invention is cooled in non-swept-surface heat exchangers after the cooking and sterilization step.

Abstract: A preproofed, and already partially baked crusty bread which is frozen for later completion of baking and a method of manufacturing the same. When desired to be served, the end user merely takes the product out of the freezer and places the same in the oven for completion of baking. The shelf life of the product is commercially significant whether the product is in the frozen state or thawed and refrigerated or even thawed and retained at room temperature until ready to be baked. After baking is completed, the freshness of the product is retained for up to about 24 hours. A critical aspect of the method of manufacturing the product is a second injection of steam into the oven during partial baking of the product, which provides the end user with a completely sealed crusty bakery product that will not have the crust separate from the loaf. The injection of the steam is a second injection of steam and provides the product with about 20% or greater of moisture than a fully baked and then frozen product.

Abstract: Sweeteners of the formula: ##STR1## and food-acceptable salts thereof, where the substituents are disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel sweeteners of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is hydroxyalkyl containing 1-3 carbon atomsA' is hydrogen or alkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms;Y is --(CHR.sub.2).sub.n --R.sub.1 or --CHR.sub.3 R.sub.4 ;R.sub.1 is cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, bicycloalkyl or bicycloalkenyl containing up to 7 ring carbon atoms and up to a total of 12 carbon atoms;R.sub.2 is H or alkyl containing 1-4 carbon atoms;R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each cycloalkyl containing 3-4 ring carbon atoms;n=0 or 1; andm=0 or 1;and food-acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: An aqueous table syrup contains 15-45% sugar solids; 0-1.0% propylene glycol alginate; 0-1.5% by weight carboxymethylcellulose; up to 50% by weight maltodextrin; and water. The syrup has a viscosity of at least 200 cps at 25.degree. C. and has qualities comparable to that of conventional table syrups containing much higher levels of sugar solids. Conventional additions such as anti-mycotic agents, anti-bacterial agents, salt, flavors and colors may also be present.