Abstract: Milling dry extracts containing cocoa polyphenols (CPs) to reduce the particle size improves the flavor of edible products (e.g., foods, medical foods, nutritional supplements, and pharmaceuticals) or additives containing the milled cocoa extracts. The products, e.g., chocolates, are less astringent and less bitter. The mean particle size after milling is less than about 15 microns, preferably less than about 10 microns, and most preferably less than about 5 microns. The total CP content of the milled extracts is at least about 300 milligrams and preferably about 300 to about 700 milligrams per gram of milled extract. The additives consist essentially of (i) the milled high CP cocoa extract and (ii) a fat (e.g., cocoa butter), an oil (e.g., vegetable oil), or a syrup (e.g., corn syrup).

Abstract: Milling dry extracts containing cocoa polyphenols (CPs) to reduce the particle size improves the flavor of edible products (e.g., foods, medical foods, nutritional supplements, and pharmaceuticals) or additives containing the milled cocoa extracts. The products, e.g., chocolates, are less astringent and less bitter. The mean particle size after milling is less than about 15 microns, preferably less than about 10 microns, and most preferably less than about 5 microns. The total CP content of the milled extracts is at least about 300 milligrams and preferably about 300 to about 700 milligrams per gram of milled extract. The additives consist essentially of (i) the milled high CP cocoa extract and (ii) a fat (e.g., cocoa butter), an oil (e.g., vegetable oil), or a syrup (e.g., corn syrup).

Abstract: Milling dry extracts containing cocoa polyphenols (CPs) to reduce the particle size improves the flavor of edible products (e.g., foods, medical foods, nutritional supplements, and pharmaceuticals) or additives containing the milled cocoa extracts. The products, e.g., chocolates, are less astringent and less bitter. The mean particle size after milling is less than about 15 microns, preferably less than about 10 microns, and most preferably less than about 5 microns. The total CP content of the milled extracts is at least about 300 milligrams and preferably about 300 to about 700 milligrams per gram of milled extract. The additives consist essentially of (i) the milled high CP cocoa extract and (ii) a fat (e.g., cocoa butter), an oil (e.g., vegetable oil), or a syrup (e.g., corn syrup).

Abstract: A system, which may be used to perform simultaneous grinding and intimate mixing of edible fat-based slurries or emulsions, may include a cylindrical drum having a central longitudinal axis and a curved inner surface and mounted on springs, and a motor and tuned mass coupled to the cylindrical drum to vibrate the cylindrical drum about a center of vibration that is offset from the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum. The system includes at least one pair of partition plates disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum to divide the cylindrical drum into at least two process zones, the partition plates of the at least one pair having matching apertures and moveable relative to each other between alignment and misalignment. The system may be used, for example, in chocolate manufacture.

Abstract: Milling dry extracts containing cocoa polyphenols (CPs) to reduce the particle size improves the flavor of edible products (e.g., foods, medical foods, nutritional supplements, and pharmaceuticals) or additives containing the milled cocoa extracts. The products, e.g., chocolates, are less astringent and less bitter. The mean particle size after milling is less than about 15 microns, preferably less than about 10 microns, and most preferably less than about 5 microns. The total CP content of the milled extracts is at least about 300 milligrams and preferably about 300 to about 700 milligrams per gram of milled extract. The additives consist essentially of (i) the milled high CP cocoa extract and (ii) a fat (e.g., cocoa butter), an oil (e.g., vegetable oil), or a syrup (e.g., corn syrup).

Abstract: A vibratory media mill may be used to perform simultaneous grinding and intimate mixing of edible fat-based slurries or emulsions. The invention has particular applicability in the field of chocolate manufacture, where the vibratory media mill can eliminate use of traditional five-roll refiners and/or conches. The vibratory media mill is cheaper and simpler to operate and maintain than traditional grinding and mixing equipment.

Abstract: Methods, and the food products produced thereby, to stabilize multi-layer food products. The method is carried out by providing at least one edible fluid, preferably fat, migration-inhibiting barrier layer to at least a portion of the outer surface of at least one inner layer, preferably a fat-containing inner layer. The invention provides, in particular, multi-layer food products with increased shelf life and/or prolonged consumer acceptability. The invention is especially useful for the inhibition of fat bloom or at least the prolonged aesthetic preservation of the outer chocolate layer of multi-layer confections; however, fat bloom could occur in almost any fat-containing layer.