Abstract: Dry beverage mixes that are stable, free flowing and economical are produced by incorporating as a minor constituent thereof up to the level of 50% of the saccharides present, a dessicated dextrose having a moisture content, as packaged, less than 1% and greater than 0.03% under controlled relative humidity packaging.

Abstract: A package of popcorn which is ready for popping in a microwave oven of from about 600 to 1,400 watts capacity is composed of a flexible and expandable package e.g. a gussetted bag formed from paper. The package is sealed to permit internal pressure to develop to expand the bag so that the corn has sufficient space for the increased volume assumed after popping. The charge of popcorn in the bag is uniformly mixed with about 1 to 5 parts by weight of a shortening for each 8 parts by weight of corn. The shortening comprises an edible solid or liquid fat and the package contains salt for flavoring.

Abstract: A method for packaging is disclosed including forming a semi-rigid plastic sheet into a receptacle, filling the formed receptacle with the product to be packaged and forming a semi-rigid plastic sheet into a recloseable cover over the packaged product.

Abstract: The yield in the aqueous extraction of tea leaf is improved by using an aqueous solution of ammonium bicarbonate or of ammonia as the extractant.

Abstract: A foodstuff container capable of heating or cooling food or beverage contained therein having three compartments to accommodate food or beverage, an exothermal or endothermal reaction agent, and a reaction-inducing agent respectively, a needle member to open a way for the thermal reaction agent and the reaction-inducing agent to mix with so as to cause a thermal reaction for heating or cooling the contained food or beverage, and a bottom cover having at its center a plurality of pleats radiating therefrom, said pleats affording some elasticity and flexibility to said bottom cover, said bottom cover also projecting outward at its center so that said bottom cover can bounce back inwardly at the center upon pushing by a finger from the outside so that the bottom cover pushes the needle existing between the compartments accommodating the exothermal or endothermal reaction agent and the reaction-inducing agent respectively, so that the two agents mix to produce thermal reaction as the result.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to improved plastic shaped supports for an edible member such as ice cream or candy. The support or stick has an elongated slit therein which improves adherence of the member to the support and a rounded top with a circular opening which can be used for blowing bubbles after the edible member has been consumed. An array of apertures is provided surrounding the circular opening, and radially directed channels communicating between the apertures and the circular opening provide surfaces for the adherence of bubble solution. The various apertures have a total area of at least one half square inch.

Abstract: A method of cooking foods in vacuum packages, in which the food is encased in a plastic pouch, the pouch is evacuated of air and sealed under high vacuum, the package is immersed in a thermostatically controlled hot water bath to cook the food, then quick chilled and stored at 28.degree.-32.degree.F.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the flavor and aroma of a final tea beverage prepared from a soluble tea, e.g., a concentrated tea extract or a dried soluble tea, by adding a flavoring agent to the soluble tea to produce a final tea beverage containing about 0.01-25 ppm of the added flavoring agent. The flavoring agent, having different preferred compositions for cold and hot-water soluble products, includes up to 39 selected flavoring constituents in specified amounts.

Abstract: Described is a packaged food product, including a container, shell or enclosure which exists in an "open" position prior to loading and "closed" position thereafter and which encloses relatively high electrically conducting and low electrically conducting food substances such that the relatively low electrically conducting food component has in contact therewith on at least one of its surfaces or envelopes the major part of the relatively high electrically conducting food component. The high conducting food substance can protrude or extend longitudinally away from the substantially diametrically opposite ends of the low conducting food substance or it can be totally enclosed in the low conducting food substance. When the container, shell or enclosure is in a closed position, both the low conducting and high conducting food substances are held in a fixed position as a result of the design of the internal surfaces of the ends of one or both portion(s) of the container, enclosure or shell.

Abstract: Fruit tray is covered with plastic film that is pressed by overlying tray into engagement with each fruit to prevent bouncing and rotation of the fruit.

Abstract: A cold water-soluble tea concentrate or tea powder that when reconstituted gives a tea of improved astringency and color without turbidity is produced from tea extracts, and preferably black tea extracts, by treating the tea extract or tea cream with appropriate enzymes.

Abstract: A method of preparing and stacking sliced food products, such as natural cheese and the like, wherein the surfaces of the slices have non-planar configurations, and the stacked slices are oriented in a manner to effect minimum surface contact between adjacent surfaces to facilitate separation of the stacked slices.

Abstract: Snacked chips of uniform shape and size are nested one within another in closely fitting relationship in a form of a circular or loop array.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with machinery for handling and forming or molding sticky materials such as uncooked foods into patties or shaped cakes.

Abstract: A food package which includes a thin-walled wide-mouthed cup shaped container which has a substantially air impervious liner sealingly, but removably bonded to the rim thereof, and a disc-shaped cover having a lip about periphery thereof which matingly engages the container's rim for closing the container.A process for manufacturing a food package which includes overlying the rim of the container with a liner disc having a pressure-sensitive adhesive coated to one side and pressing the cover downwardly into the container and into engagement with the disc-shaped liner so that the pressure-sensitive adheres to the rim and the cover-lip engages the rim.

Abstract: A chunk style peanut butter containing from about 15 to 25%, by weight, granulated roast peanuts exhibiting good spreadability, resistance to oil separation and desired flavor characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of cold-water soluble tea products wherein tea tannins which have been partially oxidized to improve their solubility are contacted with native tea tannins. The admixture of oxidized and native tannins is permitted to equilibrate until the desired final color is obtained, and thereafter the unoxidized tannins are precipitated so as to leave a clear aqueous solution useful for the preparation of instant tea products.