Abstract: A system (50) is provided for the production of elongated comestible products such as hot dogs, without the use of traditional casings. The system (50) includes a circular pattern of arrays (92) of elongated, open-ended, extruded synthetic resin cooking tubes (94, 96) within a rotatable cylindrical heating drum or housing (70). The tube housing (70) and arrays (92) are incrementally rotated and at each stop position certain of the tubes (94, 96) are filled with portions of meat emulsion (590) and alternating plugs (208), while previously filled tubes (94, 96) containing cooked product are unloaded, and other unfilled tubes are internally coated with a lubricant (e.g., a mixture of lecithin and vegetable oil). Energy exchange media such as hot water and/ or steam are used within the housing to continuously cook the emulsion portions within the tubes (94, 96) to the desired extent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of matter comprising a rice grain, which has been at least partially milled, and, on the surface of the rice grain, a coating comprising bran, a material which increases the fiber value of the composition, or a combination thereof. The present invention provides for compositions that may have the benefits of traditional white rice, i.e., soft mouth feel, short cook times, easy to digest, white appearance, long shelf-life, etc., with the benefits of brown rice, i.e., high nutritional value and enhanced flavor. Indeed, the nutritional value of the compositions of the present invention may be equal to or better than that of wholegrain brown rice. The present invention further relates to methods for the preparation of a whole grain rice composition.

Abstract: A method of improving the quality of a starch-containing food and a method of suppressing the retrogradation of a starch-containing food by adding an enzyme having a glycosyl transfer activity, whereby an ?-1,4 bond is converted into an ?-1,6 bond, to the starch-containing food; and a quality improving agent for a starch-containing food which contains the enzyme.

Abstract: To provide a packaged coffee beverage, which contains chlorogenic acids at high concentration, has good flavor and taste, and is suppressed in the occurrence of sediment during long-term storage. A packaged coffee beverage subjected to heat sterilization treatment, the beverage comprising (A) monocaffeoylquinic acid, (B) feruloylquinic acid and (C) dicaffeoylquinic acid, wherein (a) a total content of the ingredients (A), (B) and (C) contained in dissolved states in the beverage is from 0.14 to 4% by weight based on the beverage, and the beverage comprises (b) 80% by weight or more of water, (c) magnesium and sodium at a Mg/Na weight ratio of from 0.04 to 1, (d) a coffee extract obtained from roasted coffee beans having an L value of form 16 to 25, and (e) from 0.0024 to 0.0122% by weight of brown color in terms of Food Yellow No. 4.

Abstract: A system (50) is provided for the production of elongated comestible products such as hot dogs, without the use of traditional casings. The system (50) includes a circular pattern of arrays (92) of elongated, open-ended, extruded synthetic resin cooking tubes (94, 96) within a rotatable cylindrical heating drum or housing (70). The tube housing (70) and arrays (92) are incrementally rotated and at each stop position certain of the tubes (94, 96) are filled with portions of meat emulsion (590) and alternating plugs (208), while previously filled tubes (94, 96) containing cooked product are unloaded, and other unfilled tubes are internally coated with a lubricant (e.g., a mixture of lecithin and vegetable oil). Energy exchange media such as hot water and/or steam are used within the housing to continuously cook the emulsion portions within the tubes (94, 96) to the desired extent.

Abstract: A method of pasteurising and vacuum packing food (2), comprising the steps of placing the food (2) on a tray 81) having a flexible bottom (7) and stiff lateral walls (8) extending in the vertical direction of the tray (1), up to a filling degree of 410-60% of the maximum volume of the tray (1), covering the tray (1) with a flexible cover layer (3) to form a package, providing a one-way valve (4) for one-directional communication from the interior of the package (5) to the exterior thereof, pasteurising the contents inside the package (5) thus formed by means of microwaves, closing the valve (4) upon completed pasteurisation of the package and cooling the package (5), whereby a vacuum is created in the package (5) in such a manner that the package (5) with the vacuum-packaged food (2) therein presents a centre portion where the distance between said flexible cover layer (3) and said bottom (7) is shorter than the distance between said flexible cover layer (3) and said bottom (7) at the peripheral edges of the

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for forming multiple rows of meat patties. An existing single row forming machine is modified by moving the fill slot relative to the existing stroke length so that the fill slot comes in contact or fluidly communicates with at least one newly added row of cavities. This is most easily achieved by modifying the existing fill plate and by adding cavities to the existing mold plate, so that the combination of modified plates operates with the existing stroke length (which is difficult to change), to produce multiple rows of consistent meat patties.