Abstract: Naturally-derived compounds having various structures elicit the perception of salty taste or enhance the perception of salty taste of a salt. Food products may include such salty compounds, which may be used to reduce the sodium content, while parting a similar level of saltiness.

Abstract: Rolled food products are produced by cutting a dough sheet to form a roll sheet having a continuous pattern. The pattern is comprised of an asymmetrical repeat unit. The roll sheet is transported in a first direction with a conveyor system, and the roll sheet is rolled in a second direction to form a continuous roll. The second direction is not parallel to the first direction. The continuous roll is cut to form a plurality of rolls. Each of the plurality of rolls is asymmetrical.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for continuously coating food pieces. The methods include a steps of directing and uncoated food stream through an enrober to apply a first coating to at least a portion of a surface of each food piece to form a coated stream and continuously redirecting a portion of the coated stream back through the enrober along with the stream of uncoated food pieces to apply at least one additional coating to the portion of the coated stream.

Abstract: A bread product is produced by forming a dough piece, creating at least one score in the dough piece, applying an adhesive to the dough piece with the adhesive extending across the score, freezing the dough piece to produce a frozen dough piece, and baking the dough piece, causing the adhesive to melt while establishing a bread product having, in a central region of the bread product, what was once a score held together by the adhesive during the early stages of baking, an internal exposed region. The outlined production steps can be re-arranged, so long as the scoring and adhesive application is performed prior to thawing of the dough piece.

Abstract: A taco shell is produced by applying a plasticizing agent to a base or spine portion of a hard taco shell, such as by targeted spraying, rolling, brushing or dipping of the taco shells, thereby softening the base or spine portion, preferably across a strip width between 4 mm-20 mm. As a result, when the taco shell is bitten, the softened base portion has some hinging flexibility or pliability which reduces the potential for any crack propagation. Therefore, the structural integrity of the hard taco shell can be better maintained while be eaten, resulting in retention of the fillings and less mess. If desired, an anti-migration agent can also be applied to assure containment of the plasticizing agent in the targeted region.

Abstract: Described are cheese compositions and methods of making cheese compositions, including methods of formulating cheese compositions, wherein the cheese compositions may include combinations of casein protein, fiber, non-casein protein, non-pregelatinized, modified starch, and a fat component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dumpling automation machine for preparing dumpling-like food product, comprising a pressing and cutting device for dough pad, a filling injection device and a forming assembly, wherein the forming assembly comprises: a mold assembly for supporting a dough pad injected with a filling and maintaining the dough pad in an upright position; a pre-forming assembly for pre-pressing the upright dough pad to form a pre-pressed crest; and a forming assembly for pressing the pre-pressed crest to from a crest; wherein the mold assembly is configured to successively support the dough pad in different positions along a conveyor, and wherein in a pre-forming position, pre-bending portions on the two ends of the crest are formed by the pre-forming assembly, and in a forming position, the pre-bending portions are bent to form bending portion by a bending assembly.

Abstract: A snack bar is produced in accordance with a method employing an extrusion apparatus to include a base or crust, a primary filling provided on the base and a second filling or topping embedded in, yet externally exposed from, the primary filling. The primary and secondary fillings are co-extruded, with an extrusion nozzle for the secondary filling being located directly adjacent an extrusion port for the primary filling. The primary filling is non-flowable, while the secondary filling is preferably flowable. The extrusion nozzle can be repositioned either between or during extrusion operations to alter a repeating pattern for the secondary filling.

Abstract: A packaged food product includes a container having at least one dough product and a cup within the container. The cup includes at least one sidewall, a plurality of tapered guide members located at spaced circumferential positions about the sidewall, a bottom wall and an upper annular rim. The rim also defines an opening, opposite the bottom wall, leading to an interior storage cavity of the cup. During initial insertion of the cup into a container, first portions of the guide members are progressively pressed against an interior sidewall surface of the container and assure a proper, level alignment of the cup, preventing the cup from tipping during insertion. With further insertion, second portions of the guide members lead to the rim, with the rim having a diameter which assures a tight friction fit, potentially in combination with a cup seal cover, to an inner diameter of the container.

Abstract: Cooked and uncooked caramel slurries and products prepared using the cooked caramel slurries, and methods of preparing caramel slurries and coating a cooked caramel slurry onto a food piece.

Abstract: Methods for inoculating a grain suitable for use in testing methods of reducing bacterial load are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of reducing bacterial load on a grain by using elevated temperature and an organic acid. Also disclosed are methods of tempering a grain at an elevated temperature and reduced time as compared to standard tempering methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wheat plants having grain with high ?-glucan content, methods for constructing said wheat plants, grain therefrom and uses thereof. Wheat lines homozygous for the HvCslF6 gene from barley having five times the fiber content and an increased ?-glucan content of TA5790, TA5792, and TA5795 are disclosed.

Abstract: Dried coated food pieces are produced by applying a composition to a surface of food pieces to produce coated food pieces. The composition includes water and a soluble solids component having a soluble solids content including erythritol in an amount more than 10% and up to about 50% by dry weight of the soluble solid content and sucrose in an amount of about 50% and up to about 90% of the soluble solids content. No more than 10% by dry weight of the soluble solids content is other than erythritol and sucrose. The coated food pieces are dried to form dried food pieces having at least a partial coating. The coating includes at least a portion of the sucrose in crystal form and at least a portion of the erythritol in crystal form. The coating has a crystallinity of about 20% to about 60%.

Abstract: A shelf stable aggregate foods are described that include a relatively low amount of binder, such as a dairy binder or maltodextrin binder. Methods of making a shelf stable aggregate food include the forming a moist aggregate using a positive displacement method.

Abstract: Food compositions comprising a milk ingredient and steam-treated uncooked grains are described. The compositions provide a convenient alternative to overnight oats. The food compositions preferably include yogurt and uncooked steam-treated oats, which form a food product that has a shelf stability at 4° C. of at least 60 days. Methods of making and using such food compositions are also described wherein the grains are treated with steam just before being mixed with the milk ingredient.

Abstract: A reclosable packaging case for transporting or storing a product, such as a frozen food product, has minimal gaps upon reclosers of the packaging case. The reclosable packaging case has portions of one or more outer top flaps bent and inserted into openings in one or more inner top flaps. The portions, e.g., corner portions, of the one or more outer flaps are bent at pre-established angles and locations to align with the openings in the one or more inner flaps to ensure minimal gaps in the packaging case once the portions have been inserted into the openings in the inner top flaps, thereby assuring the minimal gaps to help preserve the quality of the product.

Abstract: Cocoa or cinnamon is mixed at least one enzyme to form a mixture, and the mixture is combined with a cereal food composition. In one embodiment, the cereal food composition is extruded or otherwise formed into a plurality of cereal pieces after the mixture is combined with the food composition. In another embodiment, the mixture is coated onto cereal pieces formed from the food composition. Preferably, the at least one enzyme includes at least two carbohydrases, and can also include soluble fiber enzymes, and even one or more fat soluble enzymes. In each case, the at least one enzyme is deactivated, either during working of the cocoa or cinnamon after combining with the cereal food composition or prior to the mixture being combined with the cereal food composition.

Abstract: A yogurt-based food product is packaged in a container, including a bottom wall and a sidewall, by depositing a mix-in in a center of the bottom wall and then driving the mix-in from the center of the bottom wall to the sidewall with a blast of gas. Afterwards, a dairy or plant-based product is deposited in the container. The mix-in is in contact with the bottom wall and the sidewall, and a height of the mix-in is greater at the sidewall than at a center point of the bottom wall.

Abstract: Methods are described that impart a dual texture to baked goods. The methods generally include making a leavened batter that contains a relatively low flour to water ratio, followed by combining the leavened batter with a second portion of flour to make a dough.

Abstract: A dough product packaging assembly includes one or more dough pieces arranged a first container having a closed, internal cavity, a second container supported upon the first container with an open top portion, a third container housing one or more additional ingredients, such as icing, within the second container, and an outer container extending across the open top portion of the second container and encapsulating each of the first, second and third containers. In connection with production, transportation and consumer displaying of the product, the second container provides support and transfers weight from any cartons stacked above a lower dough product directly onto the first container, thereby allowing the outer or fourth container to act as a containment vessel only, versus something needed to directly provide vertical structural support.