Abstract: A dehydrated edible composition is provided by a food-acceptable ammonium salt encapsulated in a food-acceptable carrier agent in admixture with at least one of dehydrated meat, vegetable or dairy substance. The encapsulated salt potentiates and enhances the taste of sodium chloride and enables preparation of foods having a reduced sodium chloride content.

Abstract: The taste of foods and beverages containing less than a normal amount of sodium chloride is enhanced by addition of a food-acceptable encapsulated ammonium salt. Food-acceptable carrier agents for encapsulating food-acceptable ammonium salts include maltodextrin, gum arabic and gelatinized starches, in particular, starches which have a high amylopectin content, and in particular, a gelatinized starch hydrolysate debranched at 1,6-alpha-D-glycosidic linkages. The ammonium salts are usefully prepared with ammonia recovered during spray-drying of fermented soy sauce and by recovering ammonia formed by acid hydrolysis of a protein.

Abstract: Oxidation of cooked, dehydrated meat is inhibited by incorporating a combination of ascorbic acid and a Maillard meat flavor reaction product prepared from at least one reducing sugar and at least one sulfur-containing amino acid into the meat prior to dehydrating the meat.

Abstract: To increase the yield of soluble solids obtained from tea leaves for preparing instant teas, spent tea residues obtained from tea leaves extracted by a hot aqueous medium are hydrolyzed with cellulase in water to obtain an aqueous extract containing soluble hydrolyzed spent tea residue. To increase yield further, insoluble residue separated from the extract obtained from the cellulase hydrolysis is hydrolyzed with a protease in water to obtain an extract containing further soluble hydrolyzed spent tea residue.

Abstract: To obtain increased yields of soluble solids extracted from tea leaves and to improve the flavor of extracts obtained by acid hydrolysis of spent tea residue obtained from aqueous extraction of tea leaves, spent tea residue is hydrolyzed with an acid catalyst at a temperature of from 170.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. and at a pressure of from 120 psig to 600 psig for a period of from 5 seconds to 120 seconds to obtain an extract.

Abstract: Flavorants are prepared by heating an aqueous mixture of a phospholipid and a sulfur-containing compound which is reactive with the phospholipid to react the phospholipid and sulfur-containing compound to produce a flavorant. The aqueous mixture also may include a lipid material, amino acids, including those provided by a protein hydrolysate or other source of amino acids, and a reducing sugar.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the viscosity of protein hydrolysates by adjusting their magnesium and calcium content are disclosed. The viscosity may be reduced by adding a pyrophosphate or other precipitating agent to the hydrolysate and then removing the magnesium and/or calcium precipitate that is formed thereby. Alternatively, the viscosity may be increased by adding a magnesium and/or calcium containing source.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the viscosity of protein hydrolysates by adjusting their magnesium and calcium content are disclosed. The viscosity may be reduced by adding a pyrophosphate or other precipitating agent to the hydrolysate and then removing the magnesium and/or calcium precipitate that is formed thereby. Alternatively, the viscosity may be increased by adding a magnesium and/or calcium containing source.

Abstract: A meat flavorant is prepared by oxidizing a lipid material to form oxidation products therein, combining the lipid material with a sulfur containing compound and with a source of amino acids including an animal protein hydrolysate and reacting the combined ingredients until substantially all of the oxidation products have been consumed.