Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method for screening for a kokumi-imparting substance by using the calcium receptor activity as an index, a composition containing a kokumi-imparting substance obtained by the screening method, a method for producing food or drink imparted with kokumi, and food or drink imparted with kokumi.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tablets allowing hot drinks to be prepared by lixiviation and especially coffee. It also relates to the preparation method by which said tablets may be made.

Abstract: An improved processing method and system for producing tomato paste and other food products affected by viscosity. Tomatoes are processed into tomato juice. The juice is provided to a decanter that separates or fractionates the juice into two portions—a thicker, more viscous cake portion and a thinner, less viscous serum portion. The serum portion is concentrated by removing a portion of water using an evaporator such as a thin film or juice evaporator. The cake portion can be concentrated if necessary with a drier. The serum and cake portions are re-combined to produce a tomato paste having improved color, texture, flavor and nutrition.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to beverages with enhanced flavors and aromas and method of making same. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to soluble coffee and methods of making soluble coffee with improvements in such qualities as taste and aroma.

Abstract: A brewing piston for infusion preparation, including a head associated with a filtering element, and a lateral surface having a first gasket in proximity to the head and a second gasket at a distance from the first gasket. The brewing piston includes a first conduit connected to the head and arranged to inject a liquid for infusion preparation, and a second conduit connected to the lateral surface between the gaskets and arranged to inject the liquid between the first gasket and the second gasket during infusion preparation. The piston is arranged to limit or avoid leaks in a machine for infusion preparation. Also included is a machine using the piston and a method of limiting or avoiding leaks in a machine for infusion preparation.

Abstract: A microwavable, refrigerated scrambled egg composition. The composition includes a first component that is frozen precooked egg portions. At least about 50% by weight of the frozen egg portions are pieces that are at least about ½ inch in one dimension. The second component is a slurry including pasteurized liquid egg and pregelatinized modified food starch. The precooked egg portions are from about 50% to about 85% by weight of the total scrambled egg composition and the slurry is from about 15% to about 50% by weight of the total scrambled egg composition. Processes for making and methods of using the microwavable, refrigerated scrambled egg composition are also provided.

Abstract: A method for physical separation and purification of bioactive phenolics from fruits, berries and vegetables by subjecting a fruit, berry or vegetable extract solution having a Brix of from about 1 to about 4 to ultrafiltration using an about 2,000-6,000 Dalton cutoff ultrafiltration membrane under a pressure of about 30-120 psi, and a temperature of about 80-110° F. This is followed by subjecting the resulting retentate to diafiltration-ultrafiltration with the addition of water, using an about 2,000-6,000 Dalton cutoff ultrafiltration membrane under a pressure of about 30-120 psi, and a temperature of about 80-110° F., and recovering the diafiltered retentate or the bioactive phenolic containing solids thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable brewing device including at least one inner compartment formed by a liquid-permeable material and containing aroma material, at least one outer compartment forming a brewing container where the brewing container is formed by a liquid-impermeable material, the at least one liquid-permeable inner compartment being integrated within the brewing container.

Abstract: A pod for mixing an amount of a dispersible material with water. The pod may include a pod body having a lower aperture and a poppet positioned within the aperture. The poppet may be sized so as to seal the lower aperture until a predetermined pressure is reached within the pod body.

Abstract: The desired amount of coffee grounds, tea leaves, herbs or other beverage making material is placed in a chamber of glass vessel located on a moveable table top in its lowered position. The table top is then elevated until the upper edge of the vessel seals against a top seal. With the top sealed, the desired amount of water of about 185°-212° F. is introduced into the chamber through a port in the top. Thereafter, a vacuum is drawn in the chamber and is held within the range of about ?5 to ?20 Hg in. Using an external heat source, the brewing liquid is maintained at about 185°-212° F. Alternatively, the vacuum can be pulsed by turning it on and off several times during the brewing cycle. After the beverage has brewed for the desired amount of time, the heat and vacuum are removed, the chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure and the table top is lowered to release the vessel. The contents of the chamber are then strained to remove solids from the beverage.

Abstract: A method for producing crema in a coffee vending machine that has a flow-through heater for heating water and that is charged with substrate capsules which include a Venturi nozzle for crema production. The method includes a) heating the water in the flow-through heater; b) brewing ground coffee using the heated water in a brewing chamber in order to produce a coffee drink; and c) producing crema by mixing the coffee drink with a gas in the Venturi nozzle. In step c), at least one of two volumetric flows of the coffee drink or the gas is increased in the Venturi nozzle during a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A device for producing froth includes means (1) which are adapted to perform a pumping function and to perform a mixing process of at least one liquid and a gas at the same time. Furthermore, the device includes suitable means (2) for supplying the liquid and the gas to the pumping means (1), and suitable means (3) for discharging froth from the pumping means (1). In order for the device to be capable of producing hot froth, means (4) for supplying steam are provided, and arranged such as to supply the steam directly to the pumping means (1), in particular to an outlet side of the pumping means (1). This way of attributing a heating functionality to the pumping means (1) has many advantages, including the option of a most compact design. Furthermore, the steam may be used for cleaning the pumping means (1).

Abstract: A concentrated beverage composition for reconstitution is reduced in bitterness and astringency, adequate in both sweetness and sourness and improved in storage stability despite the inclusion of a high concentration of non-polymer catechins. The concentrated beverage composition for reconstitution contains (A) from 0.5 to 25.0 wt % of non-polymer catechins, (B) a carbohydrate, and (C) a hydroxycarboxylic acid, and meets the following conditions (D) and (E) as well as at least one condition selected from the following conditions (F1), (F2) and (F3): (D) a content of gallic acid is lower than 0.6 wt %, (E) a percentage of non-epi-forms in the non-polymer catechins is from 5 to 25 wt %, (F1) a Brix degree is from 20 to 70, and when diluted with deionized water to give a non-polymer catechin concentration of 0.13 wt %, a pH is from 2.5 to 6.0, (F2) a solid content is not lower than 70.0 wt %, and when diluted with deionized water to give a non-polymer catechin concentration of 0.13 wt %, a pH is from 2.

Abstract: A process of preparing a beverage from a beverage preparation chamber includes the steps of feeding water to the preparation chamber (2) until a first pressure (P1) of at least 3 bar is reached, interrupting the flow of water to the preparation chamber, holding said preparation chamber (2) in a closed condition for a first time interval (t1), opening said outlet (3) of the preparation chamber (2) and delivering the thus prepared beverage whereas the pressure is decreased at least once during said time interval (t1).

Abstract: Provided is an instant black tea, which includes the non-polymer catechins at high concentration, is further reduced in bitterness and astringency, and is excellent in the appearance of its infusion. The instant black tea includes a beverage material containing black tea leaves and a dried green tea extract and sealed in a tea bag. A mass ratio of the non-polymer catechins/tannin in the beverage material is from 0.65 to 0.95.

Abstract: For the production from a liquid food of an at least partially foamed food, in particular at least partially foamed milk or a milk product, the liquid food, which is contained in a container (1) or a capsule-type formation, is expelled from the container or the capsule, and at least partially foamed and subsequently expelled by generating an at least partially turbulent flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to frozen food products, such as ice creams, having special emulsifying systems. The emulsifying system preferably contains mono esters of propane-1,2-diol and fatty acids, such as 2-PGME, and it may furthermore contain additional emulsifiers such as 1-PGME and/or diglycerides. The frozen food products are characterized by improved organoleptic and sensory properties as well a reduced rate of melting. The invention furthermore relates to the emulsifying systems as such as well as methods of preparing the frozen food product.

Abstract: A sandwich-sized crispy chip garnish is provided with desired color, flavor and surface presentations for use in a crispy chip sandwich.

Abstract: A process for enhancing polyphenolics content of beverages brewed from polyphenolic containing, processed beverage substrate by pre-soaking substrate (coffee beans, for example) before roasting and then quenching the substrate after processing with the liquid in which the substrate was first “pre-soaked.” Beverages produced from the treated substrate exhibit substantially increased polyphenolics content, when compared to conventionally processed beverage substrate of the same nature and processing.

Abstract: A method of processing a proteinaceous material, the method entails (1) blending the proteinaceous material with alcohol and a reducing agent and (2) maintaining a combination having the proteinaceous material and the reducing agent at a greater than ambient temperature for a holding period of at least about five minutes to form a proteinaceous product.