Abstract: Frozen aerated confection having an overrun of above 80% and below 250%, and containing less than 0.5% w/w glycerol, freezing point depressants in an amount of between 25% and 37% w/w, and between 2 and 12% fat, wherein the freezing point depressants have a number average molecular weight <M>n of less than 300 have a soft structure when eaten at −18° C.

Abstract: An ice confection comprising an antifreeze protein, wherein &Dgr; modulus/original modulus ≧0.4, and/or &Dgr; strength/original strength ≧0.4; providing that when &Dgr; modulus/original modulus ≦6.0, &Dgr; modulus ≧50 MPa, and/or when &Dgr; strength/original strength ≦2.0, &Dgr; strength ≧0.2 MPa. Such ice confections have a strong, close-packed continuous network of ice crystals and can be used to manufacture products having novel textures, properties and/or shapes.

Abstract: An aerated frozen product comprising less than 8% fat by weight and characterized in that the aerated frozen product comprises fat platelets, and after it has been melted and cooled, comprises fat platelets and spherical fat globules at a platelet to sphere ratio of greater than 0.02.

Abstract: The method of adding an antifreeze protein to an ice confection to restrict the flow of flavor or color ions or molecules present as either solutes or a dispersion, wherein the ice confection contains no protein other than the antifreeze protein.

Abstract: An aerated frozen product comprising less than 8% fat by weight and characterized in that the aerated frozen product comprises fat platelets, and after it has been melted and cooled, comprises fat platelets and spherical fat globules at a platelet to sphere ratio of greater than 0.05.

Abstract: Using an homogenizer operating at higher pressures (ca. 2000 bar) than those conventionally used in ice cream manufacturing, it is possible to generate smaller oil droplet sizes (ca. 0.3 &mgr;m) in an ice cream premix. It allows stabilization of a larger air:water interface, leading to smaller discrete gas cells which in turn modify the organoleptic quality of the ice cream.

Abstract: A backpack for dispensing a semi-frozen material comprising discrete granules by gravity flow comprising; a) an insulated hopper for storage of the material before it is dispensed which includes in its operative position i) a housing for receiving the granular material and ii) a funnel disposed to receive the granular material from the housing under the action of gravity; b) mounting means for mounting the hopper on a person in said operative position; c) an insulated valve operative to control release of the granular material from an opening in the funnel; d) an elongate flexible feed tube having in operative connection with the funnel opening such that when the valve allows release of the granular material form the opening, the material falls under gravity into the feed tube, and e) an outlet port at end of the feed tube and configured to allow directed dispensing of the granular material.

Abstract: An unaerated ice confection in the form of thin, unsupported, discrete pieces which are stable during packaging, storage and distribution wherein the ice confection comprises an antifreeze protein and has the following mechanical properties; &Dgr; modulus/original modulus≧0.4, and/or &Dgr; strength/original strength≧0.4; providing that when &Dgr; modulus/original modulus≦6.0, &Dgr; modulus≧50 MPa, and/or when &Dgr; strength/original strength≦2.0, &Dgr; strength≧0.2 MPa.

Abstract: A frozen ice confection of fixed shape is described which has its opacity controlled in relation of the temperature of the confection. The confection may also have an imbedded indicia which becomes view able as the transparency of this frozen confection increases.

Abstract: An ice confection product having a volume of from 1 to 20 ml and a thickness of greater than 5 mm comprising an antifreeze protein, wherein &Dgr; modulus/original modulus≧0.4, and/or &Dgr; strength/original strength≧0.4; providing that when &Dgr; modulus/original modulus≦6.0, &Dgr; modulus≧50 MPa, and/or when &Dgr; strength/original strength≦2.0, &Dgr; strength≧0.2 MPa. Such ice confection products have properties which are akin to boiled sweets. Such products cannot be bitten or chewed but must be sucked, resulting in a product which remains in the mouth longer and is more refreshing.

Abstract: A method for preparing a milk-based composition comprising a homopolysaccharide is provided whereby a mixture comprising milk and fermentable sugar is fermented with a homopolysaccharide-producing microorganism under anaerobic conditions, without regulating the pH, and the fermentation is stopped before the pH of the mixture drops below pH 5.5. Food products comprising such compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A water ice comprising an antifreeze protein, a stabilizer and not less than 0.1 wt % of a protein based aerating agent obtainable by a process comprising aerating the ice confection with an aerating gas which contains at least 50% by volume of a water soluble gas such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a coated frozen confectionery product whereby an aqueous solution in the supercooled state is caused to freeze while applied on at least part of the surface of a pre-frozen element of the product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising a fat phase and having overrun of at least 90%, characterised in that at least 50 w/w % of said fat phase is liquid at −5° C. The invention particularly relates to such compositions in the form of an ice cream. The invention also provides a process for the preparation of a composition, wherein said process comprises aerating a mix comprising a fat phase in a freezer barrel enclosing an internal volume, said internal volume comprising an aeration means, wherein said aeration means displaces less than 40% of said internal volume, characterised in that at least 50 w/w % of said fat phase is liquid at −5° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cold extruded composition with at least 90% overrun, wherein said composition comprises a fat phase which has a high ratio of liquid fat to solid fat at the processing temperature. The present invention also relates to a process for the production of such compositions wherein a mix is aerated in an internal volume of a freezer barrel with a aerating means which has a low displacement of said internal volume, prior to cold extrusion.

Abstract: A refrigerated display apparatus comprising a product display unit and a refrigeration unit, the product display unit including a housing defining a chamber arranged to receive therewithin one or more products, a base adapted to overlie a counter top, and a projecting portion projecting beyond the base, wherein the refrigeration unit depends from the projecting portion, whereby the refrigeration unit is arrangeable below the level of the counter top.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for extruding ice cream, said process comprising delivering a plurality of ice cream flows to a nozzle characterized in that, one or more of said ice cream flows are divided into a plurality of additional flows within said nozzle before extrusion of said flows. The invention furthermore relates to an apparatus and novel ice cream products.