Abstract: A self-whitening spray dried instant coffee is prepared by spray drying a caseinate-free aqueous emulsion having a pH of 5.5 to 9.0 and consisting essentially of 30-80% water and 20-70% solids, wherein the solids contain, on a dry weight basis, 10-70% soluble coffee, 5-60% oil, 0-85% filler, and 0-10% emulsifier.

Abstract: A method of preparing a cheesecake filling is disclosed that significantly reduces or eliminates the appearance of cracks on the surface and in the body of the filling upon baking. The method furthermore reduces the occurrence of the stadium effect to within an acceptable extent. These advantageous attributes are provided while still retaining the overall texture, taste, and organoleptic properties that the consuming public finds acceptable and pleasing. The method includes blending cream cheese curd with a composition including sufficient cream and/or non-fat dry milk to prepare a blend with a protein/fat ratio in the blend is in the range 0.182 to 0.186, and then preparing and baking the cheesecake. In an important embodiment of the method, the protein content of the cream cheese curd is estimated using a mathematical model to account for seasonal changes of the protein level in the cream cheese curd.

Abstract: An instant particulate dry mix composition produces a cappuccino beverage having surface foam with a marbled appearance upon reconstitution in water. The dry mix composition is made by freeze drying the coffee extract to produce granules having an outer surface layer which is rapidly soluble and a larger inner core layer which is slowly soluble.

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 clouding agent for dry beverage mixes is prepared by first forming a mixture of titanium dioxide and water and then subjecting the mixture to high speed shear. A spacing agent and suspending agent are then added to the mixture and the mixture is again subjected to a high speed shear, followed by spray drying. The resultant clouding agent may contain higher quantities of titanium dioxide than conventional clouding agents to thereby provide increased opacity without increased sedimentation. Further, the method of the invention provides higher throughput through the spray dryer and better yields than conventional methods of preparation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming proofed dough for baked goods in a predetermined shape, as well as an apparatus for practicing the method. The apparatus includes a closed dough handling system that includes a pressurized dough mixer, a dough transporting device joined to the pressurized dough mixer, and an injection molding device joined to the dough transporting device. The method includes the step of transporting proofed dough from the pressurized dough mixer through the dough transporting device to the injection molding device, wherein the injection molding device fills the injection mold with dough when it is connected to the dough transporting device, thus forming one or more pieces of dough having the predetermined shape within the molds. The injection molds containing the dough may then either be conveyed into an oven to form a baked piece of dough having the predetermined shape, or conveyed into a freezer to form a frozen piece of dough having the predetermined shape.

Abstract: A gel composition of water, substantially linear polymeric monosaccharide and insoluble material exhibiting exceptional gel strength, thermal stability and organoleptic properties that may be utilized as a fat mimetic in food products. A preferred manufacturing method includes microparticulating the composition at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The invention provides a food packaging system for a meal kit that includes a novel outer carton with a moveable cover that provides a high impact display when opened. The cover includes a breakaway panel that is initially a part of the front wall, and provides a large printable area on its interior surface for communication with the customer, providing a billboard effect when the cover is opened. The opened packaging system also permits the viewing of one or more separate disposable single-use pouches containing one or more of the food components. In one embodiment, the front wall of the carton has a button formed therein immediately beneath the flap, or front portion of the cover. The button is inwardly displaceable so that a user may, by applying pressure to said button, insert a digit beneath a lower end of the flap and pull the lower end and outward, then progressively remove the flap from the front wall to provide visual and manual access to the meal component pouches through the front wall.

Abstract: This invention provides stabilized fermented dairy compositions such as yogurt in which the development of excessive acidity and bitter tastes during storage is essentially eliminated. The stabilized compositions are attained by the incorporation of nisin-containing whey derived from a nisin-producing culture. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a fermented dairy product stabilized against the development of excessive acidity, to a method for stabilizing fermented dairy products, and to a method for stabilizing a fermented dairy product against depletion of lactose during storage. The methods include adding nisin-containing whey derived from a nisin-producing culture to the fermented dairy product. The whey is obtained from a nisin-producing culture by removing the nisin-producing microorganisms with the curds from the fermentation. The invention further provides methods which yield stabilized fermented dairy products that may be flavored and/or sweetened with syrups.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing a microcapsule flavor delivery system. In the method, a mixture of a flavoring material selected from the group consisting of an oil soluble flavor dissolved in an oil and an o/w emulsion flavor and a protein solution is provided. The mixture is subjected to low shear mixing to provide an o/w water pre-emulsion. The pre-emulsion is subjected to high shear mixing or sonication to provide an o/w emulsion having a coating of protein around the internal oil droplets. The o/w emulsion is mixed with a liquified hard fat which is solid at room temperature. The mixture of hard fat and o/w emulsion is atomized onto a planar surface or into a fluid to provide microcapsules which are an o/w/o multiple emulsion having a flavoring material in the internal oil phase or o/w emulsion.

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: Ready-to-drink, aspartame-sweetened beverages having longer shelf-life are prepared by raising the pH of the beverage to above 3.2 while maintaining a sour taste which is equivalent to a beverage having a pH of 2.9. The beverage of this invention are formulated with a citric acid to citrate buffer salt ratio (by weight) of 2.5-4.3:1.

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.

Abstract: A non-dairy, refrigerator-stable foam having an overrun of 50-350% is formulated from water, sweetener, hydrogenated vegetable oil, non-ionic emulsifier having an HLB of at least 10 and a gelling hydrocolloid having a gel temperature below 80.degree. F. (21.1.degree. C.). Preferably, the emulsifier is polysorbate 60 and/or sucrose fatty acid ester and the gelling hydrocolloid is gelatin. The foam may be free of non-gelatin protein material and has a pH of 3.2-4.6. The foam may be packaged as a ready-to-eat dessert or used as a topping on packaged, ready-to-eat dessert gels or puddings.

Abstract: The invention relates to pouch or bag-shaped beverage containers (1) having an opening system which is pierced by a straw to access the beverage. The container includes a wall (14) which is a multilayer laminate which from the outside to the inside includes polyester film (3), printing ink (4), adhesive (5), foil (6), adhesive (7) and polyethylene film (8). In order to facilitate piercing of wall (14) by a straw, a portion of the outer polyester film is removed at an area (2) which is intended to be pierced by a straw as is known in the art. To further facilitate piercing of wall (14) an area of delamination (9) is created opposite area (2) between foil layer (6) and the polyethylene film (8). Area of delamination (9) is created by vaporizing adhesive layer (7) by means of laser radiant energy which is transmitted through the polyethylene film (8) and absorbed by adhesive layer (7).