Abstract: A process for preparing fruits or vegetables and the fruits or vegetables prepared by the process. In particular, the vegetables may be diced tomatoes. The process comprises continuously exposing the diced fruits or vegetables to a calcium chloride solution comprising fruit or vegetable juice. The fruits or vegetables are exposed to the solution for a predetermined period of time. Calcium chloride solution is continuously recovered, measured and compared to a predetermined value or programmable controller microprocessor set-point. Any necessary adjustments are made to maintain the concentration within the accepted range of a predetermined value. The adjusted solution continuously feeds a nozzle bathing the diced fruits or vegetables.

Abstract: Method of producing freeze-dried, cooked beef steak which is tender when ydrated and which rehydrates rapidly comprising, mechanically penetrating raw beef muscle with a plurality of cutting blades spaced apart a distance such that steaks obtained therefrom are mechanically tenderized, and pumping an aqueous solution of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium chloride into the beef muscle prior to producing steaks therefrom, cooking the steaks, and freeze dehydrating the cooked steaks to a low moisture content.