Abstract: The present invention is directed to a non-fat natural cheese which is made from a first liquid non-fat milk solids substrate which is made into cheese by various known methods. In the method for making the substrate, a non-fat milk solids source, such as skim milk, is acidified to a pH below the isoelectric point. A blend of the acidified non-fat milk solids source and gum is then prepared. The blend is then subjected to high pressure homogenization to provide a dispersion of the gum in the casein of the non-fat milk solids source. Alternatively, the gum may be dispersed in water and be subjected to high pressure homogenization prior to blending the gum with the acidified skim milk. In this embodiment, only mild low shear mixing is required to provide a dispersion of the gum in the casein of the non-fat milk solids source. The casein/gum dispersion is then combined with a second non-fat milk solids source to provide a non-fat milk solids substrate.

Abstract: A process for producing variously shaped waffle products, especially waffle products having a conical or similar shape for icecream and foods comprises a step of introducing batter between dies and counterdies having a high thermal conductivity, cooking batter by heating dies and counterdies by hot air, and extracting the waffle obtained by cooking the batter when the waffle is at a temperature at which its shape is substantially stable.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing dough for bread or pastry in which no excessive pressure is imparted to the dough. In this method kneaded dough is divided into dough portions, each portion is weighed, and the dough portions are placed to occupy a space proportional to the weight of each portion. By regulating the width and thickness of each portion, a dough strip having uniform dimensions is provided. Then shaped dough pieces are processed through cutting and shaping steps. The possibility of the gluten network being damaged by an excessive pressure is eliminated. Thus puffy and tasty bread or pastry made of such dough, and having an excellent quality, can be provided when the dough is baked.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing a dough strip of substantially uniform dimensions is disclosed. The method is carried out in an apparatus (2) comprising a hopper (4) having a divider (8) at its bottom, a conveyor (10) with a weighing device (12), a transfer conveyor (13), a thickness defining device (24) mounted on the transfer conveyor (13) and width defining members (26) between the transfer conveyor (13) and the thickness defining device (24). Dough portions supplied from the hopper (4) are weighed and supplied onto the transfer conveyor (13) one after another. By regulating the width and thickness of each dough portion, the length of the dough portion is made proportional to its weight. A new dough portion is supplied onto the transfer conveyor when the conveyor has conveyed the preceding dough portion a distance proportional to the weight thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with preparing and preserving fresh stuffed pasta which maintains its freshness for up to 120 days comprising, preparing a uniform blend having a moisture of up to 33%, conditioning the uniform blend by compacting same into a sheet having thickness of at least 0.04 inches; preparing a filled mix for the dough; feeding the conditioned dough and filling mix to "filling" machine to produce a filled pasta; pasteurizing the filled pasta by subjecting it to steam; cooling the pasteurized filled pasta to a temperature between 30.degree. F.; packaging the cooled pasteurized dough in a modified atmosphere environment; and storing the packaged dough for extended periods of time at temperatures ranging from 40.degree. F. to 50.degree. F.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, the meltability of processed cheese is controlled to provide a desired degree of meltability by incorporating whey proteins in the process cheese mix and processing the process cheese mix under conditions of temperature and time so as to denature the whey proteins sufficiently to provide a predeterminted level of cross-linked beta-lactoglobulin and provide the desired level of meltability. The whey protein provided in the process cheese blend is selected to limit the lactose in the final product to a predetermined level. The method of the present invention avoids the need for the use of sodium hexametaphosphate and consequently permits, in process cheese manufacture greater flexibility in handling holdover cheese.

Abstract: Whey products having reduced allergenicity are prepared by heating an aqueous solution of a whey product containing nondenatured whey proteins in an amount of from 0.5% to 5% by weight. The solution has a pH of from 5.5 to 8.5 and a free calcium content of from 6 mmol/l to 15 mmol/l and is heated to a temperature of from 90.degree. C. to 140.degree. C. for a time sufficient for obtaining a treated whey product solution having a residual allergenic .beta.-lactoglobulin content of less than 0.1% of the .beta.-lactoglobulin content of the aqueous whey product solution to be treated.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with preparing and preserving fresh pasta which maintains its freshness for up to 120 days comprising, preparing a uniform blend having a moisture of up to 30%, conditioning the uniform blend by compacting same into a dough sheet having thickness of at least 0.03 inches; cutting the dough into its desired shape or form; subjecting the cut dough to dry heat to partially dry its external surface; pasteurizing the dough by subjecting it to steam; cooling the pasteurized dough to a temperature between 30.degree. F. and 50.degree. F.; packaging the cooled pasteurized dough in a modified atmosphere environment; and storing the packaged dough for extended periods of time at temperatures ranging from 40.degree. F. to 50.degree. F.

Abstract: Cheese of the kind used on pizzas is prepared in granular form, and frozen by an individual quick freezing method to maintain granule moisture and distribution. The resulting free-flowing granules can be baked on pizzas in frozen or partially frozen condition while obtaining as good quality baked pizzas as when fully thawed granule cheese is used. The problem of undue browning and blistering heretofore associated with the use of frozen cheese is avoided.