Abstract: A leaf tea especially blended from a black tea and a green tea so that it contains catechins and phenols in a ratio between 0.15 to 0.4, but preferably between 0.2 and 0.3. Such a product resembles black tea but typically possesses an antioxidant activity that is 10% or more higher than that the same mass of the black tea alone. The black tea is preferably low grown while the green tea is preferably from an Assam jat.

Abstract: Stanol fatty acid ester composition comprising at least 85% of stanol (saturated) fatty acid esters in which at least 85% of the fatty acid groups are saturated. Also claimed is a process for the preparation of stanol fatty acid esters, by hardening phytosterol fatty acid or a mixture thereof, or as an alternative, a process for the preparation of stanol fatty acid esters by esterification of phytosterols or a mixture thereof, followed by the hardening of the so obtained phytosterol fatty acid esters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a low fat spread with low water content for application in baking without effecting organoleptic properties for cold use, (that is, spreads). The compositions of the invention are good quality spreads at low fat levels in the range of about 30-60% fat. The compositions of the invention comprise non gelling hydrocolloids to provide optimum viscosity to the aqueous phase at a concentration which results in a fat continuous emulsion.

Abstract: A tea concentrate prepared by enzymatic extraction of the tea leaf with a combination of cell wall lysis enzymes and tannase is disclosed where the concentrate is stabilized where necessary by xanthan gum.

Abstract: Enzymes are immobilized by preparing an emulsion containing a continuous hydrophobic phase such as a triglyceride oil and a dispersed aqueous phase containing an amphiphilic enzyme such as lipase or phospholipase and carrier material that is partly dissolved and partly undissolved in the aqueous phase, and removing water from the aqueous phase until the phase turns into solid enzyme coated carrier particles. The undissolved part of the carrier material may be a material that is insoluble in water and oil, or a water soluble material in undissolved form because the aqueous phase is already saturated with the water soluble material. The aqueous phase may be formed with a crude lipase fermentation liquid containing fermentation residues and biomass that can serve as carrier materials. Immobilized lipase is useful for ester re-arrangement and de-acidification in oils.

Abstract: An aqueous based tea solids containing beverage is taught which also contains a sufficient amount of a selected substituted phenyl flavoring/antimicrobial compound to prevent microbial outgrowth while simultaneously contributing to the pleasant flavor of the beverage thus making the beverage acceptable both organoleptically and microbiologically. Optionally selected "hurdles" or stepwise antimicrobial controls are also employed.

Abstract: A squeezable spread composition and a method of making it is described herein. The composition contains a unique ratio of a colloidal microcrystalline cellulose, a cross-linked and stabilized starch, and a maltodextrin combined with an acidifying agent, less than 5% fat, hydrocolloids, water and optionally an opacifier. The low fat product is pourable at 45-70.degree. F.

Abstract: A flexible packaging system containing spiral wound instant pasta noodles along with a system for packing the noodles in flexible envelopes to reduce breakage of the noodles to permit inclusion of noodles longer than the flexible package filling aperture and reducing the incidence of perforation of the package.

Abstract: A tamper evident container with a dispensing closure is disclosed. The patent deals with a container having a smooth neck portion and having a removable dispenser closure mounted on the neck portion. The closure, in turn, is formed with a top, a skirt depending from the top and a dispensing lid mounted on the top. The top has a dispensing orfice in it which communicates with the interior of the container. The lid is moveable from a position closing the dispensing orifice to a position opening the dispenser orifice. A tamper evident neck wrap is mounted on the container over the skirt and the lid which prevents the dispensing lid from being moved to an open position without tearing or breaking the neck wrap to show the container has opened.

Abstract: A double compartment infusion packet has a drawstring (4) running through both compartments. The compartments are doubled over are joined together at opposite ends. The drawstring has an intermediate portion (6) retained at one end between the compartments and further portions (8) extending through the compartments to the other end where the ends of the drawstring are secured to a tag card (40). The tag card overlaps the sealing of the compartments at the other end and is secured there to the packet material. A line of weakening (42) allows the tag card to be detached to draw out the further portions of the drawstring to contract the packet and squeeze out excess moisture after infusion.

Abstract: Packing apparatus on a conveyor line for use in filling cartons with compressible articles comprises first and second tamping pistons (4,6) operating in sequence in a chamber (2) to successively compress the articles and drive them through a chute (2a) into a carton (C). A planar shutter (32) is provided at the bottom of the chute (2a) to close it between carton-filling operations. The chute and carton are separated by only the shutter so as to minimize the gap between them and also to facilitate the extension of the driving piston (6) into the container to pack the articles more firmly therein. The shutter rotates on a vertical axis offset from the chute with its lower face contacting the cartons and moves generally in the direction of advance of the carton along the conveyor line.

Abstract: A fat continuous spread having less than 50% fat and containing less than 10% trans fatty acids is prepared by a process comprising the steps of selecting a structuring amount of interesterfied hardstock and combining the hardstock with the liquid oil to form a fat phase. The fat phase and an aqueous phase containing a gelling agent are introduced into a scrapped surface heat exchanger to form a cooled emulsion having an exit temperature of less than the temperature required to form a substantial amount of alpha crystals in the fat phase. The crystal containing emulsion is then passed into a crystallizing inverter unit which has a temperature no greater than about 4 to about 8.degree. C. of the temperature of the water continuous emulsion containing crystals.

Abstract: Pourable fat compositions, provided with thickeners having a good closed-shelf life are obtained, if the compositions have the following composition:0-45 wt % herbs, spices, nuts or seeds5-60 wt % of thickener0-5 wt % of emulsifier0-10 wt % of milk proteins0-10 wt % of egg yolk powder1-10 wt % salt50-89 wt % of fat blend, comprising(i) 90-99.8 wt % liquid oil(ii) 10-0.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for producing drawstring packets. The packets are produced by forming thread loops (L) with tags (T) attached to their ends and placing the packet web material (W) onto the portions of a the loops further from the tags. After securing the loops in their shaped form temporarily to one face of the web, the tags and the remaining portions of thread are placed on the other face of the web to be attached there releasably. In subsequent processing the secured loop portions lie inside the packets and the tags outside. The process allows relatively precise location of the loops so that packets can be produced with the loops in a peripheral channel (P) sealed from the contents of the packets but able to move to contract the package when the ends of the loop are pulled.

Abstract: A powdered tea concentrate, method for foaming the concentrate dispersed in water and a delivery system are provided to obtain a resultant foamed tea product. The powdered tea concentrate includes tea solids, sweetening agent and creaming agent. Delivery of foamed tea beverage is through a dispenser that includes a housing, a hopper for the powdered tea concentrate, a water inlet into the housing, a mixing chamber with an aerator mechanism and conduits for delivering the concentrate and water from respective hopper and inlet into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of acid stable instant tea. Enzymatic extraction of black tea leaf using an enzyme cocktail adjusted to a critical pH is employed. Black tea is extracted with water containing tannase and one or more cell wall digesting enzymes, such as cellulase, pectinase, hemicellulase or VISCOZYME at a selected pH. The resulting tea extract can then be pasteurized, polished and made into a finished beverage or concentrated and dried in the usual manner. As a result, natural tea products are obtained which have improved acid stability, good color and good clarity.

Abstract: A powdered tea concentrate, method for foaming the concentrate dispersed in water and a delivery system are provided to obtain a resultant foamed tea product. The powdered tea concentrate includes tea solids, sweetening agent and creaming agent. Delivery of foamed tea beverage is through a dispenser that includes a housing, a hopper for the powdered tea concentrate, a water inlet into the housing, a mixing chamber with an aerator mechanism and conduits for delivering the concentrate and water from respective hopper and inlet into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus is provided including a housing with a water inlet channel, a heater to heat water delivered through the channel and a water dispenser within the housing for providing a spray of hot water to a brewing pot. The brewing pot is releasably attachable to the housing and includes a filter receptacle positioned to receive the spray of water and outlet aperture for allowing brewed tea to exit. A filter basket for containing the tea leaves is lodged within the filter receptacle. The basket has a base with a wire mesh screen and an integrally formed non-porous siphon shroud projecting upwardly from a central area of the floor base, the shroud being closed at the top while open at the bottom. A siphoning tube is lodged within the aperture of the filter receptacle and open at both ends. When nested, the siphon shroud surrounds the siphoning tube to create a siphon arrangement for continuously removing tea extract fluid from the filter basket.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of acid stable instant tea. Enzymatic extraction of black tea leaf with water containing tannase and one or more cell wall digesting enzymes, such as cellulase, pectinase, hemicellulase or VISCOZYME is employed. The resulting tea extract can then be pasteurized, polished, and made into a finished beverage or concentrated and dried in the usual manner. As a result, natural tea products are obtained which have improved acid stability, good color and good clarity.