Abstract: Methods are provided for encapsulating flavor components. The methods may include the steps of providing a flavor component; mixing the flavor component with a syrup comprising carbohydrates and water to form a blend; and removing water from the blend at a temperature less than the melt temperature of the blend to form an encapsulated flavor composition. Encapsulated flavor compositions also are provided. The composition may include an amorphous glass core comprising at least one carbohydrate, water, and at least one flavor component; and a crystalline amylose skin, wherein the crystalline amylose skin surrounds the amorphous glass core.

Abstract: A rehydration composition and oral delivery system is provided that allows for enhanced functional ingredient delivery when ingested orally as a water based solution. The rehydration composition comprises a low fiber colloidal hydrolyzed rice carbohydrate ingredient having, on a dry weight basis, less than 0.1% fiber and between 0.5% and 1.0% protein and between 0-0.5% and 1.0% fat, and having a dextrose equivalency (DE) value within the approximate range of 20-30 (commonly DE 25), and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, citrate, and/or bicarbonate. The rehydration composition, which is concentrated or dried, becomes an oral rehydration solution (ORS) when mixed with water for oral consumption. The rehydration composition, when mixed with active ingredients such as vaccines, drugs, amino acids, mineral salts, vitamins, nutraceuticals, probiotics, prebiotics, flavors, or nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners, is referred to as an oral delivery system.

Abstract: Described are methods and compositions that eliminate the aftertaste of the various non-nutritive sweeteners. These include, but are not limited to, sucralose, aspartame and acesulfame-k (also known as the potassium salt of ascesulfame). In addition, methods and compositions are described which allow for stability of various flavoring compositions used in conjunction with non-nutritive sweeteners.

Abstract: Food sweetener compositions containing aspartame and sugar acids. Specifically, the sweetener compositions include a sugar acid, such as a polyuronic acid, in an amount sufficient to eradicate the undesired lingering aftertaste of aspartame without contributing to viscosity or pulp volume. The present invention also involves the novel use of such sweetener compositions in food products, such as carbonated beverages, so that they no longer exhibit the lingering aftertaste of aspartame.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a treated polyuronic acid. The process involves heating an aqueous dispersion of a polyuronic acid, such as a pectin, at a temperature above about 100.degree. C. for an amount of time sufficient to obtain a hydrolyzed, or treated, polyuronic acid mixture which separates upon standing and cooling into a clear solution, which is the hydrolyzed polyuronic acid phase, and a precipitate. The hydrolyzed polyuronic acid phase includes at least 25% of the polyuronic acid substance polymers having a degree of polymerization (DP) in the range of about DP1 to about DP20. The hydrolyzed polyuronic acid, or the treated polyuronic acid, then is recovered for use in a food product.

Abstract: A fruit concentrate composition is blended from a hydrolyzed starch of at least 40 D.E., preferably about 50-70 D.E., more preferably about 55-65 D.E. and a fruit concentrate having about 0% insoluble solids, the blended composition having at least about 70%, preferably about 80-95%, more preferably about 90-95% simple carbohydrates, and about 3-20%, preferably about 3-10%, more preferably about 6% complex carbohydrates, on a dry weight basis, with a resulting dual functionality in food formulations for achieving both nutritive sweetening and fat substitution as well as a number of other benefits. The composition is preferably formed by hydrolyzing a starch source to the above D.E. value, blending it with a fruit juice concentrate to form a fruit concentration composition having the above components and reducing water content of the blend to at least about 77%, preferably to about 77-80% soluble solids, the composition having substantially 0% insoluble solids.

Abstract: A process for producing a pressed juice containing an inulin polymer mixture in a stable polymorphic form having cold water solubility according to the present invention includes the steps of pressing juice from inulin containing plants, preferably of the Compositae family and more preferably from dahlia tubers, assaying the juice to determine its initial range and distribution and processing the pressed juice under selected conditions to convert the inulin polymers of the assayed juice to an inulin polymer mixture having greater than 50% of the polymers in the range of about DP 10 to DP 45, more preferably about DP 16 to DP 40, the process including hydrolyzing inulin polymers of greater than about DP 45 into the range of about DP 10 to DP 45 to enhance permeability and unique metabolic value of the mixture as well as selectively promoting Bifidus growth in the gut.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises selection of whole grain rice, either white or brown rice, which is liquefied, preferably with alpha-amylase enzymes, and then treated with relatively high levels of a glucosidase enzyme and/or a beta-amylase enzyme in a saccharifying step. The total enzymatic reaction time in both the liquefaction and saccharification steps is limited to prevent development of undesirable off-flavors to yield a non-allergenic rice milk produce having surprising milk-like texture and functionality, the rice milk product being characterized by the absence of a rice-like flavor and having a preferred composition defined as follows:______________________________________ Soluble Complex Carbohydrates 10 to 70% of solids; Maltose 0 to 70% of solids; Glucose 5 to 70% of solids; Ash or Minerals 0.1 to 0.6% of solids; Protein and Fat 1 to 3.5% of solids; Fiber 0.05 to 0.4% of solids. ______________________________________The rice milk product can also be converted to a dried product.

Abstract: Whole grain rice, either white or brown rice, is liquefied and treated with high levels of a glucosidase enzyme and/or a combination with beta-amylase enzyme in a saccharification step. Total enzymatic reaction time is limited to about four hours for both the liquefaction and saccharification steps combined to prevent the development of undesirable off-flavors. The product of the saccharification step is partially clarified to remove substantially all rice fiber, but not other nutritional values and then concentrated to produce a preferred rice syrup sweetener which is cloudy in character and has a solids composition defined as follows:______________________________________ Soluble Complex Carbohydrates About 10 to 70% of solids; Maltose About 0 to 70% of solids; Glucose About 5 to 70% of solids; Ash or Minerals About 0.1 to 0.6% of solids; Protein and Fat About 1 to 3.5% of solids; ______________________________________The rice syrup sweetener of the invention can be dried to produce dried rice sweeteners.

Abstract: A fruit concentrate sweetener and process of manufacture are disclosed wherein the sweetener is formed from a hydrolyzed starch having a dextrose equivalent of about 5 to 25 and a clear fruit concentrate of at least about 40% soluble solids and about 0% insoluble solids to have about 40 to 65% complex carbohydrates, about 35 to 55% simple sugars from the fruit origin and about 0 to 5% nutritional components. The sweetener may be partially or substantially completely deflavorized and may be dried up to about 96 to 99% soluble solids. Further preferred steps of the process facilitate both deflavorization and drying while also yielding a sweetness level generally similar to sucrose with only about 50% simple sugars, the remainder being nutritionally desirable complex carbohydrates. The sweetener may be included in a variety of sweetened food and beverage products.

Abstract: Whole grain rice, either white or brown rice, is liquefied and treated with high levels of a glucosidase enzyme and/or a combination with beta-amylase enzyme in a saccharification step. Total enzymatic reaction time is limited to about four hours for both the liquefaction and saccharification steps combined to prevent the development of undesirable off-flavors. The product of the saccharification step is partially clarified to remove substantially all rice fiber, but not other nutritional values and then concentrated to produce a preferred rice syrup sweetener which is cloudy in character and has a solids composition defined as follows:Soluble Complex Carbohydrates--About 10 to 70% of solids;Maltose--About 0 to 70% of solids;Glucose--About 5 to 70% of solids;Ash or Minerals--About 0.1 to 0.6% of solids;Protein and Fat--About 1 to 3.5% of solids;The rice syrup sweetener of the invention can be dried to produce dried rice sweeteners.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises selection of whole grain rice, either white or brown rice, which is liquefied, preferably with alpha-amylase enzymes, and then treated with relatively high levels of a glucosidase enzyme and/or a beta-amylase enzyme in a saccharifying step. The total enzymatic reaction time in both the liquefaction and saccharification steps is limited to prevent development of undesirable off-flavors to yield a non-allergenic rice milk product having surprising milk-like texture and functionality, the rice milk product being characterized by the absence of a rice-like flavor and having a preferred composition defined as follows:Soluble Complex Carbohydrates--10 to 70% of solids;Maltose--0 to 70% of solids;Glucose--5 to 70% of solids;Ash or Minerals--0.1 to 0.6% of solids;Protein and Fat--1 to 3.5% of solids;Fiber--0.05 to 0.4% of solids.The rice milk product can also be converted to a dried product.

Abstract: Confections produced from flavor powders obtained from powdered roasted syrup of dahlia tubers. These dahlia flavored powders can be used to replace cocoa powder. When milled with a confectioner fat, the dahlia flavored powders produce a confection similar to chocolate. The powders can also be blended with protein, milk solids, fiber, carbohydrates such as starches, bland flours and sugars to produce flavor mixes which may be used as a direct replacement for cocoa powder and which can be ground with cocoa butter or a confection fat to produce chocolate-like confections. Foods incorporating these confections such as beverages, baked goods, desserts, icings, coatings, candies, syrups or ice cream are similar to analogous products made with natural cocoa or chocolate.

Abstract: This invention concerns the extraction of the water solubles of the dahlia tuber which contains aroma and flavor bodies and the concentration, drying, and roasting of these extracts to produce additional flavor bodies. The roasted and ground flavorsome beverage powders so produced can be used to make palatable beverages in hot or cold milk or water. Furthermore the above beverage powders can be blended in concentrations of 1 to 99% with the flavor powders of coffee, tea or cocoa to produce flavor powders that complement each other when used to make water or milk beverages. Another objective is to blend the dahlia flavor powders with sugar or sugar mixtures to make sweetened beverage powders. Such sweetened beverage powders can again be blended with the powders of coffee, tea or cocoa.