Abstract: Disclosed are puffable gelatinized dough pellets which pop upon microwave heating in a consumer microwave oven. The pellets include an outer skin or casing of sufficient tensile strength to allow buildup of internally generated steam pressure upon microwave heating. Upon sufficient buildup of steam pressure, the skin fails suddenly, allowing the pellet to puff explosively thereby simultaneously causing an audible popping sound. Also disclosed are microwave snack products comprising an expandable microwave popping bag containing a charge of the present microwave poppable pellets. The sound of the popping gives the consumer an audible clue as to the desirable termination of the microwave heating step, which is particularly useful when the pellets are contained within an opaque paper microwave popping bag. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of the microwave poppable pellets as well as microwave heating methods for snack preparation.

Abstract: A spray-dried composition comprising a volatile and/or labile component in a carrier, is further encapsulated in an extruded glassy matrix comprising:(a) from about 40 to about 80 percent by weight of a water-soluble, chemically-modified starch having a dextrose equivalent not greater than about 2;(b) from about 10 to about 40 percent by weight of a maltodextrin having a dextrose equivalent in the range of from about 5 to about 15;(c) from about 5 to about 20 percent by weight of corn syrup solids or a polydextrose having a dextrose equivalent in the range of from about 21 to about 42; and(d) from about 5 to about 20 percent by weight of a mono- or disaccharide.The resultant glassy matrices are useful for introducing and/or retaining and/or stabilizing the volatile and/or labile components in cooked and uncooked food products.

Abstract: A method for treating vegetable oil to provide the natural flavor of peanut oil, olive oil an sesame oil is provided. In the method, a natural flavored oil is heated to a temperature of at least about 150.degree. F. An inert gas is conducted through the oil while maintaining the oil at a natural flavor volatilization temperature of at least about 150.degree. F. to provide an inert gas flavorant stream containing natural volatile flavor components. A vegetable oil is provided at a temperature less than the natural flavor volatilization temperature. The inert gas flavorant stream is conducted through the vegetable oil while maintaining the vegetable oil at a temperature less than the volatilization temperature of the flavored oil so as to deposit natural flavorant components in the vegetable oil to provide a vegetable oil having the derived natural flavor.

Abstract: A novel method for shell removal from hard-boiled eggs using chemical methods or, in alternative, a combination of chemical with mechanical methods. The acid or alkali is used to soften the egg shell prior to mechanical peeling or to dissolve the shell completely. The egg membrane is removed by treatment with alkali.

Abstract: To produce a powder for milk chocolate having a high percentage content of free fats, milk, cocoa mass and sugar are mixed, a fatty phase, an aqueous phase and a residue are separated by centrifugation, the residue is incorporated in the aqueous phase and the dispersion obtained is concentrated and seeded with lactose, the fatty phase pasteurized and homogenized at elevated temperature is added and the mixture is sprayed cold under high pressure into a drying tower through which a stream of very hot air is passed.The powder obtained has a pure cocoa aroma and a milk note. Its rheological properties facilitate its processing to chocolate.