Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for manufacture of an edible fat containing product which is a water-in-oil emulsion having discrete droplets of an oil-in-water emulsion dispersed therein. The method includes the steps of providing an oil-in-water emulsion at a temperature where the oil phase is liquid. A separate water-in-oil emulsion is provided at a temperature wherein the oil phase is liquid. The water-in-oil emulsion is cooled to a temperature such that at least about 5% of the oil phase is crystallized. The oil-in-water emulsion is combined with the water-in-oil emulsion and the combined emulsions are immediately cooled with agitation so that the oil phase of the water-in-oil emulsion substantially crystallizes to entrap discrete droplets of the oil-in-water emulsion.

Abstract: Raw starch which has been treated with an emulsifying agent during a wash step, such as during refining, is alkali-treated, washed to remove flavor, crosslinked, neutralized, gelatinized and dried to give instant starch useful for instant puddings and mixes.

Abstract: An end closure for reclosable packages which is adapted for manual placement over an appropriately sized open package, container or box to substantially enclose a food product therein. The end closure comprises a substantially rectangular resilient end wall having side walls extending down perpendicularly therefrom at each edge. A thin, flexible, pleated sheet overlays the end wall and two opposing side walls. The two sidewalls include expansion joints, and the pleat is substantially coincident with the expansion joints, permitting the end closure to open against a bias when manual pressure is appropriately exerted. The end closure, when held open, therefore fits easily over the package opening. When the manual pressure is released, the end closure closes, forming a tight fit with the sides of the package, effectively protecting the food product from the environment.

Abstract: A quick-cooking barley product can be cooked by hydrating in at least an equal volume of boiling water (typically 1:1.5 barley to water) for from 5 to 15 minutes followed by a 5 minute stand. It has a cooked texture, as measured by a shear press value of 70 top 95 lbs/force (preferably 75-90) and appearance similar to long cooking barley. The product can be prepared without any flattening or flaking of the barley. The process comprises: cooking pearled barley to raise the moisture content of the barley to 55 to 65%; subjecting the barley to an atmosphere of ambient-pressure, saturated steam while spraying hot water onto the barley in order to obtain a drained moisture of 70%-80%; draining; and drying to a moisture content of about 12% or less.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for flavor enhancement and development in a cultured dairy product employ identification and selection of fat fractions from sources such as milk(butter) fat for use as flavor precursors. The selected fractions are added to the product at a step in the manufacturing process where they are available for flavor development by means characteristic of the product. The selected fractions are preferably enhanced for fatty acids and have low melting points. For a reduced fat product, the flavor precursors are generally added in combination with a fat substitute. Homogenization of all the aqueous protein component in this type of product was an improvement over homogenizing only a portion of this component. The invention is particularly suitable for production of reduced fat cultured dairy products.

Abstract: A process for producing a tea extract which forms little or no haze when stored at refrigeration temperatures. The process comprises incubating a mixture of oxidase, tannase and tea extract, and then separating insoluble solids from the tea extract. The tea extract is preferably a concentrate which is subsequently diluted to provide a ready-to-drink beverage. Haze which develops on cold storage of the extract or of tea beverages prepared from the extract is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A unitary beverage container includes a main body defining a container volume. A flexible straw is fluidly connected at a proximal end with the volume adjacent the bottom of the main body. The flexible straw also includes a distal end in the form of a hollow mouthpiece having a central aperture therein with the mouthpiece is located adjacent the top of the main body. In many configurations of the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece includes a cylindrical base portion from which levers extend. An attaching mechanism removably attaches the mouthpiece of the flexible straw to the top of main body and closes the aperture of the mouthpiece. The attaching mechanism includes a short hollow bridge extending from the aperture at the distal end of the flexible straw which is broken during removal of the flexible straw to uncover the aperture prior to use. The hollow bridge is connected to a hollow chamber which is attached to the top. A concavity in which the mouthpiece is received is provided at the top.

Abstract: This invention relates to somaclonal variants from different varieties of coffee plants. The invention also contemplates methods for the high frequency generation of and the low frequency generation of said somaclonal variants in coffee plants, thereby providing variants with improved processing and agronomic characteristics. Among these somaclonal variants are high-yielding, low caffeine Coffea arabica cv. Laurina somaclones and a method for producing same. In particular, this invention relates to the unique application of tissue culture methodology as new methods for variety development, breeding and then the scale-up of the selected superior genotypes of coffee plants for the commercial production of coffee.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for developing a uniform temperature gradient in a block of cheese. The apparatus includes a chamber for receiving a cheese block. The chamber has a uniform cross section and has opposed openings separated by the length of the chamber. The chamber is surrounded by insulation on the peripheral surface between the openings. A heat exchange surface is disposed over and closes one of the openings. A second heat exchange surface is disposed over and closes the other of the openings. The temperature of the two heat exchange surfaces are different. When a block of cheese is disposed within the chamber, a temperature gradient can be established in the block of cheese in a relatively short period of time. Thereafter, the cheese block can be sliced into appropriate sections for determining moisture content as a function of cheese temperature.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of pasta filata cheese from skim milk or fat reduced milk having less than about 2% fat. A culture is added to skim milk and the skim milk is fermented to provide a cultured skim milk. The cultured skim milk is dried to provide a dried cultured skim milk. The dried cultured skim milk is rehydrated by mixing the dried cultured skim milk with water. The rehydrated cultured skim milk is added to non-cultured milk having less than about 2% milk fat in a cheese vat to provide a pasta filata cheese substrate. The pasta filata cheese substrate is then used to make pasta filata cheese by any of the conventionally known methods.

Abstract: There is disclosed a low-calorie powdered ice tea composition and a method for making the same. The ice tea composition comprises finely ground particles of ice tea solids; finely ground particles of at least one artificial sweetener; and a granulated citric acid where the granules have an average particle size where greater than about 90% of the particles have a size in the range of about 425 to about 1180 microns. With such a composition, the ice tea solids and the citric acid dissolve in a liquid at different rates.

Abstract: An improved method for the preparation of saccharide fatty acid polyesters via an intermolecular transesterification reaction is provided. A saccharide lower acyl ester (for example, sucrose octaacetate) is reacted with a fatty acid lower alkyl ester (for example, methyl stearate) in the presence of an alkali metal alkoxide catalyst to produce a saccharide fatty acid polyester. The reaction is carried out at relatively low temperatures in the absence of solvent. The relatively low molecular weight by-produce ester is removed from the reaction mixture during the course of the reaction in order to drive the equilibrium transesterification reaction to completion. The saccharide fatty acid polyesters are useful as fat substitutes or low-calorie fats in food compositions.

Abstract: Multi-component (e.g., multi-layered) and multi-colored gelled products, such as gelatin dessert gels, are prepared using water-soluble colorants and complexing agents for the colorants which will prevent the colorant from migrating within the gelled layer. The complexing agents are polyamino acids and protein materials which fluoresce with ANS.

Abstract: Ready-to-eat, low or no fat granola cereal is prepared from a 60% to 85% cereal base by coating the cereal base with 10% to 30% sugars and drying. The granola cereal product contains little or no added fat and from 30% to 50% cereal flakes, 10% to 40% other cereal ingredients including 5% to 20% crisp rice, 5% to 20% rolled grains and up to 20% cereal flour. Optionally from 1% to 5% maltodextrin is added to tackify the product.

Abstract: A unitary beverage container includes a main body defining a container volume in which a beverage is contained. A top of the main body includes a channel disposed horizontally therealong as well as an uppermost bisecting ridge extending from one side of the main body to the other and a respective remainder portion on each side of the ridge sloping downwardly away from the ridge. A bottom of the main body has a lowermost continuous base surface and a central concavity extending inwardly therefrom. The central concavity is particularly formed by a horizontal recess surface and a peripheral recess band sloped radially inward. A flexible straw has a proximal end fluidly connected with the container volume and a distal end having an aperture therein which is located in the channel of the top. A holding mechanism removably holds the distal end of the flexible straw in the channel. In order to fill the beverage container, the bottom includes a filling conduit extending from the central concavity.

Abstract: Bagels with extended shelf life, preferably at least two weeks, and processes and formulations are disclosed. The process includes the steps of: preparing a dough by mixing flour, water, yeast, salt, and sugar and a freshness-promoting combination of starch-degrading enzyme, monoglycerides, and monosaccharide; holding the dough under conditions of temperature and humidity for a time effective to develop the dough as evidenced by the evolution of carbon dioxide and the degradation of at least a portion of the starch in the flour to oligosaccharides; forming the dough into bagel-shaped dough pieces; and boiling and baking the dough pieces. The freshness-promoting composition preferably includes one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of: a gum, an oil, wheat gluten in addition to that present in the flour, and at least one egg component. It is also preferred to spray the bagel with a solution of an antimycotic following baking.

Abstract: Enzymatic protein process removing objectionable odor and offensive taste from natural proteins and the bland, odor-free products produced thereby.