Abstract: An edible composition comprising starch and cellulose ether particles, wherein at least 10 volume percent of the cellulose ether particles have a particle length LEFI of less than 40 micrometers, is useful for preparing a batter by mixing the edible composition with water. The batter is contacted with a food to prepare a battered food. The battered foods have a reduced oil and/or fat uptake when fried, as compared to fried non-battered food.

Abstract: Freeze-dried, aerated yogurt products that include dairy or dairy-substitute compositions and an emulsifier are disclosed, along with methods of producing and using same.

Abstract: An edible composition comprising starch and cellulose ether particles, wherein the cellulose ether particles have a ratio M3.0/M2.0 of not more than 200 micrometers, wherein M3.0 is the number volume mean and M2.0 is the number surface area mean of the cellulose ether particles, and/or wherein the cellulose ether particles have a volume fraction of fibrous particles of no more than 40%, is useful for preparing a batter by mixing the edible composition with water. The batter is contacted with a food to prepare a battered food. The battered foods have a reduced oil and/or fat uptake when fried, as compared to fried non-battered food.

Abstract: An edible composition comprising starch and cellulose ether particles, wherein the cellulose ether particles have a median Equivalent Projected Circle Diameter (EQPC 50,3) of up to 110 micrometers and a Crystallinity Index, CI, of not more than 0.43, wherein CI=(I200?1am)/I200> where I200 is the intensity of the highest peak in the X-ray diffraction spectral pattern of the cellulose ether particles and Iam is the intensity of the valley between the highest peak I200 and the higher of the one or two peaks adjacent to the highest peak, is useful for preparing battered foods of reduced oil and/or fat uptake when fried.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing a water, juice, and/or milk-based ready-to-drink jellified product comprising at least two separate homogeneous gel masses, wherein adjacent separate gel masses have different gel strengths, characterized in that it comprises the steps of in order: (i) separately preparing at least two liquefied gel compositions, each comprising an aqueous, and/or juicy, and/or dairy base, mixed with carrageenan and galactomannan, (ii) separately preheating each of the compositions, (iii) separately mixing each of the liquefied gel compositions, (iv) separately cooling down each of the liquefied gel compositions, while keeping a constant agitation of the mass of each of the liquefied gel compositions, (vi) sequentially dosing each of the liquefied gel compositions into a container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to whole fruit preparation methods and, more particularly, to methods of cocktail berry production including preserving the berries in jars, especially useful for cranberries. The process results in a product that is very near to the natural state of the fruit. The starting quality is carefully selected to have a high natural sugar content, and processed gently with no heating. The cranberries are stored in a syrup that has approximately the same sugar content, or Brix, so as to create an “isotonic” equilibrium across the skin of the berry. The syrup also has a relatively low natural sugar proportion, with high intensity sweeteners added so as not to degrade the integrity of the berries. A preservative or acid is added to the syrup, and the berries and syrup are added to the jars to minimize head space and ensure the syrup surrounds all the berries.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides multi-component food products having a wet food component and a dry food component. The multi-component food product is shelf-stable and does not include any artificial preservatives. Methods for providing a shelf-stable multi-component food product having a wet food component and a dry food component without artificial preservatives to a consumer are also provided, as are methods for marketing such a shelf-stable multi-component food product.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for producing a confectionery product comprising heat resistant chocolate or a heat resistant compound mass and to the confectionery product, which is produced by this process. The process utilizes spraying water and/or a polyol (such as a sugar alcohol or a sugar) solution onto chocolate or a compound mass thereby inducing the formation of heat resistant chocolate or a heat resistant compound mass.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing with one hand meat or meatless burgers or patties for cooking. The apparatus has a handle, base plate, and retainer ring. The handle allows the user to hold the apparatus while preparing a patty and placing the patty directly on a cooking surface. The base plate provides a surface for holding the patty during shaping and before placing the patty on the cooking surface. The retainer ring determines the shape of the patty. In use, meat or meat substitute is placed on the base plate and pressed against the sides of the retainer ring. The apparatus holding the formed patty is then placed over a cooking surface and flipped over so that the patty falls out onto a cooking surface for cooking.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a freeze-dried, dairy or dairy-substitute composition comprising a dairy or dairy-substitute ingredient and an emulsifier and methods of using same to promote and/or improve child development.

Abstract: The invention relates to an icing composition that consists of: 30-75 wt. % of fine carbohydrate particles containing at least 90 wt. % of crystalline carbohydrate, at least 90 wt. % of said fine carbohydrate particles having diameter of less than 50 ?m; 15-50 wt. % of fat having a melting point of at least 20° C.; 0-30 wt. % water; and 0.1-30 wt. % of other edible ingredients; wherein the fine carbohydrate particles comprise: —50-100 wt. % of mannitol particles containing at least 90 wt. % mannitol; —0-50 wt. % of sugar particles containing at least 90 wt. % of one or more sugars selected from sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose and maltose. The icing composition enables the preparation of iced bakery products that exhibit high freeze-thaw stability and that can suitably be stored for several days under ambient conditions without becoming stale.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing an inhibited starch comprising, in order: a) extracting starch from a native source and partially refining to provide a partially refined starch having a residual protein content on a dry starch basis of more than 0.4% by weight and less than 8.0% by weight; b) treating said partially refined starch with a bleaching agent to provide an inhibited starch; and c) recovering said inhibited starch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment of grain for toxins and/or odor utilize a storage container having a grain storage space and an aeration floor that allows air to flow through the aeration floor into the grain storage space. Ozone (mixed with air) is supplied to the grain through the aeration floor under positive pressure, whereby ozone is forced through the aeration floor into a lower portion of the grain storage space. After an initial treatment time, the initial treatment time allowing for the ozone to reduce toxins and/or odor in a lowermost portion of the initial quantity of grain an effective or desired amount, a lowermost portion or a lower treated portion of the grain in the grain storage space is removed, and new grain is added on top of the grain in the grain storage space, all while continuing to supply ozone through the aeration floor under positive pressure.

Abstract: Removable apparatus for ornamenting automobiles are disclosed. One removable automobile-ornamenting apparatus includes an attachment portion having: (a) a first attachment device having a first arm with proximal and distal ends; (b) an anchor at the first arm distal end; and (c) a second attachment device. An ornamental portion is operatively coupled to the first and second attachment devices. The first attachment device and the second attachment device are configured such that: (a) in a first method of use, the first arm is between a hood or a rear door of an automobile and a remainder of the automobile and the second attachment device is located below the first arm; and (b) in a second method of use, the first arm is between the hood or the rear door of the automobile and the remainder of the automobile and the second attachment device is located above the first arm.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment of grain in a storage container using ozone may be used for treating grain for toxins, insects, mold, and/or odor. Downdraft methods for applying high concentrations of ozone to grain in a storage container treat grain without generating ozone-related objectionable odors or with generation of only minimal ozone-related objectionable odors. A method for downdraft ozone treatment of grain with minimal generation of ozone-related objectionable odors involves providing a negative air pressure at a bottom of a volume of grain in a storage container. A high ozone concentration is generated in air above an upper surface of the volume of grain. The ozone is drawn down into the volume of grain using the negative air pressure for a treatment time sufficient to effectively treat the grain without causing significant ozone-related commercially-objectionable foreign odors in the grain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating grain stored in a grain pile with ozone are effective for treating grain for toxins, insects, mold, and/or odor. A method according to embodiments of the invention involves monitoring at least one of temperature and odor at a plurality of aeration outlet locations spaced around the grain pile. When an abnormal temperature variance or odor is detected at one or more of the aeration outlet locations, a determination is made as to a problem location within the grain pile where a treatment of ozone should be applied, and a further determination is made as to how best to apply ozone to the problem location. Ozone is then applied to the problem location within the grain pile to minimize nascent problems in the grain pile. The ozone treatment may reduce molds and toxins.

Abstract: A wreath and a method of producing a wreath; the wreath comprising a base, at least one permanent decoration coupled to the base to cover at least a portion of the base, and at least one removable decoration releasably coupled to a predetermined, unobstructed area of the base. The base and the removable decorations include a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the removable decorations to the base. The removable decorations further include labels that correspond to labels located on the base. The labels located on the base identify a suggested location for the removable decorations on the wreath, such that the wreath can be constructed independent of a user's artistic ability.

Abstract: Fat particles useful in food compositions as doughs, methods of preparing the fat particles, method of preparing the food compositions (e.g., doughs) that contain the fat particles, and methods of preparing a baked food product from the food composition, wherein the fat particles contain flavorant salt. These fat particle can be used to prepare dough formulations that meet the desire of being more healthful than previous dough formulations due to a reduced sodium content, optional more healthful fat content (e.g., low trans fats or low saturated fats), or both. Additionally, the fat particles can be conveniently used in commercial or consumer scale dough processing.

Abstract: Thermally convertible food presentation modules are described. A single module may be used for both heating and refrigeration of foodstuffs as desired at any given time. Any well of a module may be switched between heating and cooling of food regardless of the status of any other well of the module.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine with a capsule comprising an enclosure containing tea leaves comprising the steps of: a) introducing water in the capsule to submerge the tea leaves in the capsule enclosure, then b) letting the tea leaves soak, then c) introducing water in the capsule until the required volume of beverage is delivered, wherein water is continuously introduced in the capsule from the beginning of step a) until the end of step b).