Abstract: Amorphous water-soluble calcium citrate salts having a mole ratio of calcium to citrate of less than 2.5:2, and powdered beverage mixes and liquid compositions fortified with these amorphous water-soluble calcium citrate salts as a calcium source, are provided. Liquid compositions fortified with calcium citrate according to this invention have superior dispersability, solubility, appearance, and storage stability. These liquid compositions are prepared by new methods that provide and preserve a stable amorphous character in the dry powdered product salts. The present invention also is directed to a method of administering such calcium citrate-fortified liquid compositions to increase the dietary calcium intake in individuals.

Abstract: A process for preparing an instant beverage is provided which includes heating a dried soluble coffee under sufficient pressure thereby forcing gas into internal voids of the dried coffee. The heated dried soluble coffee is cooled and depressurized to produce a dried soluble coffee having internal voids filled with pressurized gas. An instant dry beverage comprising soluble coffee having internal voids filled with pressurized gas is also provided, and this product is advantageous in that it produces a beverage with foam on its surface when reconstituted.

Abstract: Gas-effusing compositions, particularly, particulate compositions having pressurized gas held within open internal voids thereof, are provided as well as methods of making and using such compositions.

Abstract: Coffee-derived surfactants are provided by transesterification reactions of sugars and coffee oil. The coffee-derived surfactants are especially useful in the production of coffee oil emulsions for use with, or incorporation into, coffee products.

Abstract: A soluble foaming composition is provided which contains carbohydrate particles having a plurality of voids containing entrapped pressurized gas and less than two percent protein. The composition may include a surfactant and may be contained in a food product such as a beverage mix or an instant food. In addition, a method is provided for manufacturing the foaming composition in which the particles are heated and an external pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure is applied to the soluble foaming particles. The soluble foaming particles are cooled and the external gas pressure is released resulting in pressurized gas remaining in internal voids of the particles of the foaming composition.

Abstract: A protein-free soluble foaming composition is provided which contains carbohydrate particles having a plurality of voids containing entrapped pressurized gas. The composition may include a surfactant and may be contained in a food product such as a beverage mix or an instant food. In addition, a method is provided for manufacturing the foaming composition in which the protein-free soluble foaming particles are heated and an external pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure is applied to the protein-free soluble foaming particles. The soluble foaming particles are cooled and the external gas pressure is released resulting in pressurized gas remaining in internal voids of the foaming composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to aromatization particles having a water-soluble coffee matrix and an aromatizing composition having volatile characteristic coffee aroma constituents wherein said particles are essentially fat-free and contain essentially no coffee oil, its derivatives or vegetable oil and wherein said water-soluble coffee matrix contains a physically entrapped separate phase of said volatile characteristic coffee aroma constituents, a process for producing same and food products containing same.

Abstract: Microencapsulated polyphenol compositions suitable for use in food and beverage products are provided. Microencapsulation significantly reduces the astringency and/or bitterness of the polyphenol compositions and protects the polyphenol compositions from oxidation, ingredient interactions, enzymatic degradation, and the like while maintaining gastrointestinal bioavailability within the digestive system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a composition for preparing a beverage having improved aroma release characteristics and compositions for use therein.

Abstract: A foaming composition is provided comprising a particulate ingredient having a plurality of internal voids containing entrapped supercritical fluid having a critical temperature of at least about 10° C. Additionally, a method is provided for preparing such a foaming composition. A supercritical fluid having a critical temperature of at least about 10° C. is contacted with a particulate ingredient having a glass transition temperature above ambient temperature at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the particulate ingredient, wherein the particulate ingredient comprises a plurality of internal voids. The particulate ingredient is held at the temperature above the glass transition temperature of the particulate ingredient for a period of time effective to allow transfer of the supercritical fluid into the plurality of internal voids of the particulate ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gasified food product comprising a solid-gas clathrate and methods for making the same. The solid-gas clathrates used in the present invention are selected from the group consisting of an ?-cyclodextrin-gas clathrate and a derivative thereof. Furthermore, the present invention provides food products such as a powdered coffee mix, dough, sauce, soup, hot cereal and the like comprising the solid-gas clathrate.

Abstract: Amorphous water-soluble calcium citrate salts having a mole ratio of calcium to citrate of less than 2.5:2, and powdered beverage mixes and liquid compositions fortified with these amorphous water-soluble calcium citrate salts as a calcium source, are provided. Liquid compositions fortified with calcium citrate according to this invention have superior dispersability, solubility, appearance, and storage stability. These liquid compositions are prepared by new methods that provide and preserve a stable amorphous character in the dry powdered product salts. The present invention also is directed to a method of administering such calcium citrate-fortified liquid compositions to increase the dietary calcium intake in individuals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to metastable mineral-amino acid complexes that are formed by combining a mineral oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate an amino acid and an organic acid. The complexes may be used to fortify a variety of food and beverage products.

Abstract: Mineral complexes, especially calcium complexes, of lactobionic acid which are especially useful for mineral fortification of food and beverage products are provided. The preferred calcium complex of lactobionic acid provided in the present invention delivers a soluble, stable, clean tasting calcium source suitable for calcium fortification of a wide variety of food and beverage products. The mineral complexes are prepared by mixing lactobionic acid, a mineral source, (e.g., mineral hydroxide), and an edible acid (e.g., citric acid) in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of intensifying the flavor of coffee extract is set forth in which coffee extract is heated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to intensify the flavor of the coffee. The heated coffee extract is cooled and preferably dried to produce a soluble coffee product having intensified flavor. The flavor intensity of soluble coffee can be increased without deleteriously altering coffee flavor.

Abstract: A method of intensifying the flavor of coffee extract is disclosed in which coffee extract is heated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to intensify the flavor of the coffee. The heated coffee extract is cooled and preferably dried to produce a soluble coffee product having intensified flavor. The flavor intensity of soluble coffee can be increased without deleteriously altering coffee flavor.

Abstract: A particulate creamer comprising protein, lipid, and carrier, in which more than 50% by weight of the protein is partially denatured whey protein, the partially denatured whey protein being from 40 to 90% denatured. The creamer is particularly suitable for foaming creamer compositions. The foaming creamer composition, when added to a brewed hot coffee beverage, produces a large amount of a creamy and semi-solid foam. The creamer is preferably prepared by heat treating a slurry comprising the protein, lipid and carrier constituents of the creamer to effect denaturation of the whey protein, followed by spray drying the slurry. The creamer may also be employed in dry mix instant cappuccino compositions.

Abstract: A particulate, dry-mix foaming creamer composition comprising a particulate protein component in an amount of from 1 to 30%, a foam-generating amount of a particulate, gasified carbohydrate, preferably from 20 to 90%, said carbohydrate having a bulk density of less than 0.3 g/cc and a lipid in an amount of from 0 to 30%, all amounts based upon the weight of the composition. The creamer can be added to brewed coffee to produce a cappuccino-type whitened coffee with a surface layer of foam or it can be added to instant coffee and optionally a sweetener to produce a particulate, dry-mix instant cappuccino product.

Abstract: A method of intensifying the flavor of soluble coffee. Soluble coffee is heated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to intensify the flavor of the coffee without causing carbohydrate pyrolysis characterized by evolution of carbon dioxide. The heated coffee is cooled to produce a soluble coffee product having intensified flavor. The flavor intensity of soluble coffee can be increased without deleteriously altering coffee flavor by heating the coffee at a temperature under conditions that do not cause carbohydrate pyrolysis characterized by generation of carbon dioxide.