Abstract: An exemplary method for preserving fresh herbs includes obtaining fresh trimmings from a plant, grinding and/or chopping the fresh trimmings to form processed trimmings, packaging the processed trimmings in a container, and freezing the processed trimmings in the container. Freezing the processed trimmings may include subjecting the processed trimmings to a dry ice atmosphere.

Abstract: A frozen condiment selected from the group consisting of sauces, pastes, pâtés, creams and pizza toppings, having hygienic and organoleptic features comparable with those of a corresponding fresh condiment, which is in the form of granules having a porous surface, having an average weight of 6.0 g or less and essentially homogeneous in size having a diameter comprised between 1 mm and 20 mm, and apt to determine a rapid and uniform thawing of the deep-frozen condiment.

Abstract: Colored hard coated edible products characterized by minimal appearance defects in the coating are disclosed. Color and flavor are in substantially separated regions of the coating. Methods of making such products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved casein-based films are produced by adjusting the pH of a film-production suspension. The film-production suspension may contain a casein source, a plasticizer, and optionally a strengthening additive. The adjustment of the pH may be accomplished by the addition of an alkaline additive, such as a base, to achieve a desired pH value. The improved casein-based films have improved physical properties as compared to those produced without a pH-adjusted film-production suspension at least in part due to the chemical and structural changes imparted by the change in pH.

Abstract: The invention refers to a mixing and foaming device (300) for mixing a powder food or beverage product with a fluid and further foaming said mixture, the device (300) comprising a mixing, pumping and foaming unit (102), an air entry (30) and a fluid inlet (21); the mixing, pumping and foaming unit (102) comprising a pumping element (110) whose rotation allows both powder and fluid to enter a foaming chamber (121) of the mixing, pumping and foaming unit (102), where a foaming element (120) rotates relatively within the foaming chamber (121), subjecting the mixture of fluid, powder and optionally air to a certain level of shear stress which allows this mixture to mix and/or to foam. The invention further refers to a method for providing foam from a food or beverage product powder using such a device (300).

Abstract: A method of making a pressurized packaged liquid beverage including filling a container including a one-way valve with a liquid mixture including a base liquid and a gum; sealing the container; introducing a volume of gas through the one-way valve after sealing the container; and agitating the container. When the container is opened, the liquid mixture increases in volume and separates into a liquid phase and a drinkable foam phase, which may persist for an extended period of time. The base liquid includes milk, coffee, fruit juice, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sugar confectionery composition comprising an alcohol-containing phase and a sweet-containing phase, wherein the composition, when set, is in the form of a single-phase amorphous mass. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a sugar confectionery composition, comprising steps of: preparing an alcohol-containing phase at a first temperature; preparing a sweet-containing phase at a second temperature; incorporating one of the two phases into another to form a mixture; setting the mixture to form the composition; wherein, when set, the composition is in the form of a single-phase amorphous mass.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of hard pan coating an edible core, a sucrose-based, hard panned coating, and a hard panned confection comprising an edible core coated with the same. The sucrose-based, hard panned coating comprises sucrose and a pH-adjusted red radish anthocyanin-containing colorant, is substantially crystalline, and has a red or orange hue described by a CIELCH color space h° coordinate of from about 15° to about 70°. In some embodiments, the coating further comprises a yellow colorant. The colorants are desirably naturally sourced to provide alternatives to synthetic colorants for coloring hard panned confectionery coatings in red or orange hues.

Abstract: The present application relates to the field of confectionery jellies fortified with high concentrations of hydrophobic actives such as phytosterol esters, omega-3 fatty acids (i.e. combinations of DHA and EPA) and/or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The ingestible hydrophobic actives are incorporated at high levels by using two types of pectin; an emulsifying pectin and a gelling pectin, wherein the weight ratio of the hydrophobic active to emulsifying pectin ranges from about 5:1 to about 35:1.

Abstract: Steviol glycoside solutions, and methods of making steviol glycoside solutions, are described. The steviol glycoside solutions are clear and stable, and have clear solution stability, for extended periods of time.

Abstract: The invention provides a process of preparing glucosyl Rebaudioside C composition. The glucosyl rebaudioside C composition is useful as in combination with other caloric and non-caloric sweeteners as well as non caloric sweetener in edible and chewable consumables such as various foods and beverages, confectionaries, bakery products, cookies, chewing gums, and the like.

Abstract: Method for the production of apple sauce including the following steps: slicing apples generating a plurality of slices having two opposite faces and a peel which develops continuously between the two opposite faces; pulping the slices obtaining a first product and a first waste; refining the first waste generating a second product and a second waste; mixing the first product and the second product; heating the combination of the first product and the second product in order to deactivate enzymes contained therein.

Abstract: Method for coating a piece of chocolate that includes a placement step for placing an edible metal foil having a thickness less than 20 micrometers on at least one part of the outer surface of a surface layer of said piece of chocolate, said layer comprising cocoa butter, a heating step in which the piece of chocolate is exposed to a temperature equal to or greater than the melting temperature of the cocoa butter such that the cocoa butter of said layer melts and attaches said foil to the layer, and a solidification step wherein the melted butter solidifies, the foil being adhered to the surface layer of said piece of chocolate. The invention also relates to a piece of chocolate made according to the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present technology may include a stabilized mass of highly refined cellulose fiber as a prebiotic composition alone or with a probiotic composition. The prebiotic composition may comprise both the prebiotic material blended with and stabilized by highly refined cellulose fiber material. The prebiotic components may be combined with at least 1% by weight of combined probiotic as highly refined cellulose in a blend with the probiotic. The mass may flow as a liquid, may be in a frozen state or may be in a dried powder state or dried solid mass.

Abstract: There is provided a cutter or mold having at least one sidewall defining a cavity, wherein the cavity draft angle varies. In some embodiments, the cutter may also include a base, i.e., the cutter can be a mold. The cutter or mold exhibits better release properties of food products molded or cut therewith than conventional cutters or molds having no cavity draft angle, or a uniform cavity draft angle. Rotary cutting wheels, that in some embodiments may be ultrasonically activated, as well as systems incorporating the cutters or molds are also provided, as are methods of forming food products using the cutters or molds.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a yeast extract containing an organic acid, especially succinic acid, at a high concentration, and further containing glutamic acid at a high concentration. There is provided such a production method comprising an organic acid generation treatment step of maintaining a suspension of cultured yeast under conditions effective for organic acid generation to increase organic acid content in the yeast; and a hot water extraction step of extracting a yeast extract from the yeast that has undergone the organic acid generation treatment step at 56° C. or higher.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-moisture-content gummi candy as a novel fruity confection, including a gummi candy body having a moisture value of not lower than 20% by weight, a pH of not higher than 4.0, and a water activity value of not higher than 0.86 and a collagen casing coating and encapsulating the gummi candy body. Even with a high moisture content, namely, even with a moisture value of the gummi candy body as high as not lower than 20% by weight, the high-moisture-content gummi candy is remarkably reduced in syneresis, surface melting, stickiness, and the like, has an excellent shape retention ability, has a fresh flavor and an elastic texture, and is suitable for distribution at normal temperature.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique of suppressing precipitation of an anthocyanin pigment in a range other than the highly acidic range. The present invention provides an anthocyanin pigment preparation, comprising: an anthocyanin pigment; and an emulsifier, wherein the pH when the anthocyanin pigment preparation is diluted with water or dissolved in water so that a color value becomes 10 is more than 3.

Abstract: A process for preparing a concentrated foaming composition sweetened with honey, including: a) provision and weighing the necessary quantities of raw materials to be used, b) putting pure honey in a mixer and subjecting the honey to beating from about 250 rpm to about 1500 rpm for about 5 to 30 minutes, c) adding at least one raw material selected from soluble coffee, powdered milk and honey to the mixed honey from step b) while it is being mixed, and d) once the desired consistency is achieved, divide the composition obtained in step c) into containers for distribution and marketing. Compositions for making foaming coffee sweetened with honey, foaming coffee with milk sweetened with honey and foaming milk sweetened with honey obtained by this process.

Abstract: A confection is formed of a mixture including at least one first simple carbohydrate, at least one non-hygroscopic second simple carbohydrate, and at least one hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, the non-hygroscopic second simple carbohydrate includes disaccharides, trisaccharides, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the hydrocolloid includes a starch hydrolysate having a dextrose equivalent less than 36, and the confection is substantially free of starch hydrolysates having a dextrose equivalent of 36 or greater. In some embodiments, the confection is a hard candy. A method of making a confection includes mixing at least one first simple carbohydrate, at least one non-hygroscopic second simple carbohydrate, and at least one hydrocolloid to form a mixture. The method also includes heating the mixture, cooking the mixture to a predetermined moisture content, and cooling and working the mixture to form the confection comprising the mixture.