Abstract: Free fatty acid from crude soapstock is recovered in good purity by the instant process.

Abstract: Imitation cheese is manufactured by a flow process from a plurality of edible ingredients comprising fat, protein, water, and flavor wherein the cheese product is set by the addition of an acidulant, in lieu of fermentation. The edible ingredients are introduced into an elongated, confined mixing zone in such a way that the acidulant and protein are in distinct and separate flow streams until in said zone, and in the zone are subjected, at a temperature of at least about 100.degree. F, to medium-to-high intensity axial and radial flow mixing. The mixing is continued until a substantially homogeneous mixture is obtained.

Abstract: Polymorphic particulates formed by rapidly chilling molten fatty material to yield an unstable crystal form thereof are formed into a gas-fluidized bed wherein the gas rapidly absorbs heat of transformation of the particulates into a stabler crystalline form, and tempered particulates are withdrawn from the bed. Residual latent heat of crystallization also is absorbed by the gas and the tempered particulates resist appreciable agglomeration under conditions of storage.