Abstract: A rice flour composition comprising rice flour having a Water Absorption Index of from about 3.5 to about 9 and a Peak Viscosity of from about 130 RVU to about 900 RVU. Dry blends, doughs, processes of making, and fabricated chips made from the rice flour composition.

Abstract: Polyol polyesters useful as nondigestible fat substitutes are prepared by improved heterogeneous interesterification processes between fatty acid esters of easily removable alcohol and polyol characterized by having one or more improvements such as using low levels of soap emulsifying agent, catalyst, and/or excess fatty acid ester; reducing the size of the polyol by mechanical means; removing extraneous particulate material during the reaction; using low temperature and/or high pressure and compensating by increasing the mass transfer area; and/or using backmixing in the initial stage(s) and plug-flow conditions in the final stage(s).

Abstract: An improved, solvent-free, two-stage transesterification process for preparing, from a polyol and fatty acid esters of an easily removable alcohol highly esterified polyol fatty acid polyesters having reduced levels of difatty ketones and &bgr;-ketoesters is disclosed. These reduced levels of difatty ketones/&bgr;-ketoesters are achieved by controlling the level of generated alcohol in the liquid phase of the reaction mixture and heating the reaction mixture to certain temperatures during the second stage of this improved process. Other optional reaction conditions, such as keeping the molar ratio of fatty acid esters to polyol within a specified range and reducing the level of basic catalyst, can also be used during the second stage reaction to further reduce the level of difatty ketones and/or &bgr;-ketoesters.

Abstract: A foamable instant coffee product having a density of at least about 0.4 g/cc and comprising, instant coffee, a densified non-foaming creamer, an acid and a carbonate or bicarbonate salt to generate carbon dioxide, a foaming creamer, a proteinaceous foam stabilizer, and other optional ingredients such as sweeteners, milk solids, flavorants, thickeners, etc. This product is preferably made by compacting the non-foaming creamer, acid, carbonate/bicarbonate salt and instant coffee and then combining this compacted, densified material with the remaining ingredients. Alternatively, this product can be made by compacting the non-foaming creamer, acid and carbonate/bicarbonate salt, extruding the instant coffee and sweetener (e.g., sugar) and then combining the compacted and extruded materials with the remaining ingredients.

Abstract: Chocolate flavored nut spreads, especially chocolate flavored peanut butters having a milk chocolate like flavor without a bitter aftertaste and with desirable spreadability. Cocoa solids substantially free of dairy solids that are encapsulated by sugar are dispersed substantially homogeneously throughout the spread. The level of cocoa butter is also below the point where it can crystallize out (i.e., typically about 20% or less on a total fat basis).