Abstract: Provided herein are fruit-containing confections comprising an intermediate-moisture fruit present and a binding agent, wherein the intermediate-moisture fruit has a moisture content of about 10 wt % to about 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the intermediate-moisture fruit. Also provided are methods of making the fruit-containing confections.

Abstract: Flavor releasing structures for chewing gum have about 30% to about 60% thermoplastic cellulose material, about 5% to about 50% non-cellulosic thermoplastic polymer, and about 10% to about 40% porous flavor reservoir material. Optionally the flavor releasing structure may comprise about 5% to about 25% plasticizer. The cores may be coated with a flavor barrier coating.

Abstract: Flavor releasing structures for chewing gum have about 30% to about 60% thermoplastic cellulose material, about 5% to about 50% non-cellulosic thermoplastic polymer, and about 10% to about 40% porous flavor reservoir material. Optionally the flavor releasing structure may comprise about 5% to about 25% plasticizer. The cores may be coated with a flavor barrier coating.

Abstract: A chewing gum composition contains a gum base; 0% to about 60%, preferably about 10% to about 50%, bulking and sweetening agents; and about 5% to about 80% fat-containing confection, such as chocolate. The gum base comprises about 2% to about 40% elastomer, about 10% to about 50% elastomer plasticizer, about 2% to about 35% gum base softener, and about 1% to about 10% emulsifier. The gum base usually contains less than 10% filler, and less than 45% gum base matrix disrupting materials. In another embodiment, the chewing gum product is made from gum base and flavoring agents, possibly without the addition of any bulk sweetening agents. A chewing gum product can be formed from the composition. The product may be a compressed gum product. In another embodiment, the product can be coated or filled with a fat-containing confection, such as chocolate, in which case the product may be made of a composition without the fat-containing confection in it and with 0% to about 60% bulking and sweetening agent.

Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configured for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products and includes at least one ingredient feed opening that is enlarged.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which includes at least one conveyor element that is not located under a feed port.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a blade and pin extruder that includes one or more hollow pins located at a distance from the shaft of the extruder that is at least 2.7% of the diameter of the barrel.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis without requiring the separate manufacture of chewing gum base. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configured for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products and includes at least one large feed port that is not adjacent a conveyor element. By integrating the manufacture of chewing gum into a single operation, the method of the invention can save time and labor, and improve product consistency.

Abstract: Chewing gums containing erythritol and methods of making such gums are disclosed. In one embodiment, the gum comprises about 5% to about 95% gum base, about 0.1% to about 10% flavoring agent and erythritol, the erythritol being the only bulk sweetener. The erythritol provides the gum with unique properties, and the gum may be non-cariogenic. In other embodiments, the erythritol is co-dried with other sweeteners or coevaporated with a plasticizing syrup to produce unique sweetening ingredients and syrups for gum.

Abstract: A method of producing chewing gum with a controlled flavor release comprises the steps of continuously adding chewing gum ingredients to a continuous mixer, the chewing gum ingredients comprising one or more flavoring agents, the continuous mixer comprising a plurality of spatially separated feed inlets through which the chewing gum ingredients are added to the mixer, and the one or more flavoring agents being added to the mixer simultaneously at two or more feed inlets; subjecting the chewing gum ingredients to a continuous mixing operation within the mixer, thereby forming a chewing gum composition; and continuously discharging the chewing gum composition from the mixer while chewing gum ingredients continue to be introduced and mixed within the mixer. The locations at which the flavor components are added controls the flavor characteristics of the chewing gum composition.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a chewing gum composition comprises the steps of continuously adding fresh chewing gum ingredients into a continuous mixer; subjecting the fresh chewing gum ingredients to a continuous mixing operating within the mixer, thereby forming a chewing gum composition; continuously discharging the chewing gum composition from the continuous mixer while fresh chewing gum ingredients continue to be introduced and mixed within the mixer; and adding a portion of a previously produced chewing gum composition to the mixer and mixing the portion of previously produced chewing gum with the fresh chewing gum ingredients being continuously added to the mixer and mixed to form the chewing gum composition.

Abstract: A method of making chewing gum includes the steps of a) preparing a gum base concentrate having a composition useful for preparing a variety of finished gum bases and chewing gums, and b) combining the gum base concentrate with remaining gum base ingredients, and other chewing gum ingredients, in a single efficient continuous mixer.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis without requiring the separate manufacture of chewing gum base. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configure for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products. By intergrating the manufacture of chewing gum into a single operation, the method of the invention can save time and labor, and improve product consistency.

Abstract: A dual composition hard coated chewing gum is provided, which exhibits improved long-term shelf stability under storage conditions involving constant exposure to the moisture contained in the atmosphere. The dual composition hard coated chewing gum is ideally suited for pellet chewing gum having pellet shapes which cannot be easily protected from atmospheric moisture by packaging. The dual composition hard coated chewing gum has a gum center which includes a gum base, a bulk portion and one or more flavoring agents. The dual composition hard coated chewing gum also has an outer coating which includes layers which contain from about 50 to about 100% of at least two different polyols preferably lactitol, maltitol, hydrogenated isomaltulose or erythritol. A method of preparing the dual composition hard coated chewing gum is also provided. Lactitol, maltitol or hydrogenated isomaltulose is preferably applied first, and the covered with an erythritol coating.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configured for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products. Pursuant to the method, glycerin is added at an early point in the mixer.

Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing chewing gum with improved flavor perception comprises the steps of adding at least an elastomer and filler into a high-efficiency continuous mixer, and mixing the elastomer and filler together in the continuous mixer; adding a least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of fats, oils, waxes and elastomer plasticizers into the continuous mixer, and mixing said ingredient with the elastomer and filler in the continuous mixer; and adding at least one sweetener and-at least one flavor into the continuous mixer, and mixing said sweetener and flavor with the remaining ingredients to form a chewing gum composition. These steps are performed using a single high-efficiency continuous mixer and wherein the flavor is added at a level lower than that used to make the same chewing gum composition in a batch mixer but the flavor intensity in the chewing gum product is comparable to that of said same chewing gum composition made in a batch mixer.

Abstract: A chewing gum product comprises a gum pellet covered by a hard coating containing erythritol. The coating may be a homogeneous material built up of layers from a single coating syrup containing erythritol, or it may be a coating comprising two or more layers of different compositions, wherein at least one of the layers contains erythritol. The coating prevents the gum pellet from picking up moisture. The coating is particularly useful in making sugarless gum products.

Abstract: A stabilized gum base and chewing gum are prepared using techniques that significantly reduce the amount of antioxidant lost during manufacture. As a result, the gum base and chewing gum include at least about two-thirds, and preferably three-fourths, of the amount of antioxidant initially added during manufacture of the gum base. The improved antioxidant retention is accomplished primarily using mixing techniques which significantly reduce the average mixing time needed to prepare a homogeneous gum base, and further by integrating the manufacture of gum base and chewing gum into a single continuous mixer.

Abstract: Chewing gum containing gum base, powdered erythritol, flavor and less than 2% moisture has an improved shelf life, i.e., does not absorb significant amounts of water from the atmosphere to soften with age, or give off significant amounts of water to the atmosphere to harden or stiffen with age.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis without requiring the separate manufacture of chewing gum base. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configured for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products. By integrating the manufacture of chewing gum into a single operation, the method of the invention can save time and labor, and improve product consistency.