Abstract: A mixture of steam and a concentrated solution of an alkali carbonate are continuously injected under pressure into a cocoa mass in a tube, whereby the carbonate reacts with the cocoa mass under pressure in the tube at at least 120.degree. C. to form a reacted mass mixture, which mixture is subjected to sudden expansion and then dried with stirring until a dried solubilized liquor is ultimately obtained.

Abstract: A cocoa product is prepared by enzymatically hydrolyzing an aqueous slurry of low fat cocoa with an amylase-containing enzyme, adding alkali to the hydrolyzed slurry and heating the alkali containing slurry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing high nutritive fibres from fish proteins which comprises grinding whole fish or fish pieces in the presence of water and then adding alkali to the ground fish. The alkali/fish mixture is then heated and cooled and the cooled mixture is then passed through a colloid mill thereby eliminating solid particles to obtain a protein solution. The solution is then injected through a spinneret into an aqueous acid medium causing the coagulation of the proteins into fibres. The fibres are then washed, set by heating and then neutralized. The fibres obtained by this process are also described.

Abstract: A process for producing a cocoa powder mix characterized in that immediately before agglomeration, a dilute aqueous solution of cocoa aroma is sprayed onto a ground cocoa powder mixture in an amount below that which would impair the free flowing properties of the powder, after which the powder is agglomerated using steam or water and then dried.

Abstract: A process of reducing the amount of cholesterol in egg-yolk which comprises reducing the pH of fresh wet egg-yolk to destabilize the emulsion, treating the destabilized emulsion with an edible oil to form a fine dispersion and centrifuging the dispersion to separate the egg-yolk phase from the oil-phase.

Abstract: A microcapsule containing a microorganism. It contains a microorganism of the genus Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium and/or other geni of the intestinal flora coated with a fat which is solid at body temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for trimming molluscs, especially squid. According to the invention, the apparatus comprises a number of successive stations of treatment, consisting of (a) holding means (8) for holding the squid during trimming; (b) a cutter (37) for cutting the tentacles of the squid; (c) means for loosening (41) and gripping (43) of the head and viscera of the squid and extraction of these; (d) means (46) for removing part of the tissue from the inside of the mantle of the squid at the part where the pen is located; (e) means (54) for gripping and extracting the pen; and optionally (f) means (58) for removal of the squid from the holder (8); and (g) means (1) for transport of the squid between the treatment stations.

Abstract: A sterilized processed cheese which has the texture of a thermally non-sterilized processed cheese and a process for producing a sterilized processed cheese of this type are disclosed.

Abstract: Freeze dried soluble coffee having a density of about 0.2 to 0.3 gm/cc is prepared from concentrated coffee extract by foaming the extract with inert gas, freezing the foam and freeze drying the particulated frozen foam. Other features of the invention appear in the following specification.

Abstract: A process for improving coffee oil characterised in that the coffee oil is contacted, under conditions of agitation, with a solution of a strong mineral acid in a monohydric aliphatic alcohol containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and separating the oil layer from the alcohol layer.

Abstract: A process for reducing the acidity of a coffee extract is described in which the coffee extract undergoes electrodialysis. The non-cathodic extract is collected, contacted with subdivided chitosan and, after removal of the chitosan, is mixed with at least a part of cathodic extract to provide a deacidified coffee extract.

Abstract: A process for treating a coffee extract is disclosed which comprises adjusting the pH of the extract to a value of from 3.0 to 4.5 and then eliminating the subsequently formed flocculate. The pH of the extract is preferably adjusted to a value of from 3.8 to 4.2.The coffee extract treated in accordance with the present invention may be used in the production of coffee-based gaseous beverages. A gaseous beverage produced in this way does not spurt from the container holding it when the container is opened.

Abstract: An aqueous extract of tea, containing native tea tannins and caffeine, is cooled to provide an aqueous solubles phase containing cold-water soluble components of the extract, including a minor portion of the caffeine, and an insolubles phase containing tea tannins complexed with a major portion of the caffeine. The aqueous solubles phase is separated from the insolubles phase, and the latter is subjected to decaffeination to provide decaffeinated tannins which may then be recombined with the aqueous solubles phase. The resulting treated extract from which the major portion of the caffeine has been removed can be dried or, if desired, subjected to further decaffeination and thereafter dried to provide a cold-water-soluble decaffeinated tea. Further features of the invention are set forth in the following description.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for rolling pieces of soft material in leaf form, more particularly food products, such as pancakes. According to the invention, the pieces of material are delivered on a substantially horizontal conveyor belt (1) and are brought into contact with at least one other conveyor belt (8) which crosses the first conveyor belt and has an oblique upward movement relative to the direction of movement of the first conveyor belt. The two belts (3, 9) of the two conveyors are formed by several cords or strings (4, 10) which are parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another, the belt (9) of the second conveyor crossing the horizontal belt (3) of the first conveyor by passage of its cords or strings through the spaces between the cords and strings of the first conveyor.

Abstract: A process for moulding a food product consisting of a plastic mass, such as ice cream, and firm elements, such as biscuits. A multiple-cavity mould open downwards is placed on a fixed platform, a base is arranged in the mould on a vertically displaceable support, the biscuits are arranged between the base and the cavities and the mould is fitted with ice cream while the base is lowered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for heading and eviscerating fish in which the head and the entrails are integrally removed from the body of the fish. According to the invention, only the neck of the fish is cut, after which the head is turned down through approximately 90.degree. in relation to the axis of the body and, finally, the head undergoes a relative displacement along the body of the fish towards the rear thereof. As a result, the fish is completely eviscerated. The apparatus for carrying out the process essentially comprises a cutter for cutting the neck, a guide for turning down the body of the fish and two holders, one for the head and the other for the body of the fish, which receive different movements responsible for the above-mentioned displacement.

Abstract: From a mixture of isoleucine and leucine in a ratio by weight of at least 3:7, the isoleucine is precipitated in an anhydrous solvent, particularly methyl ethyl ketone, using concentrated sulphuric acid. The precipitate is separated and freed from sulphuric acid, for example by neutralisation with barium hydroxide after elimination of the solvent. Industrial production of marketable isoleucine from a mixture still containing leucine.

Abstract: The invention relates to caseinates of oligo-elements, such as chromium, cobalt, copper, tin, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium and zinc, containing, for n times 100 grams of casein, from 3 to 100 milli-ion-grams of M.sup.n+, where M represents the oligo-element(s) and n is an integer.The caseinates are prepared from casein by ion exchange in order to introduce the oligo-element(s) therein, followed by washing until a substantially constant composition is obtained. They may also be obtained from alkali metal caseinates.The caseinates of copper or iron may be used as a source of copper or iron with no catalytic activity on oxidation, particularly in infant and dietetic products.