Abstract: A process for introducing solutes into dried fruit is described, which process comprises:

Abstract: Dehydrated vegetable pieces having incorporated therein a mixture of sodium chloride of concentrations of at least 2% and an alkali metal carboxylate at a concentration of 1 to 4%.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a herb product comprising a comminuted herb admixed with water, a water activity controlling substance in sufficient amounts for the herb product to have a water activity less than 0.90 and an effective amount of an edible agent, said effective amount of an edible agent being an anti-oxidizing effective amount of an edible anti-oxidant or an anti-discoloring effective amount of an edible salt or mixture thereof, said herb product being present in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method of making the herb product and to food compositions containing same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process of preparing and/or preserving a partially dehydrated vegetable which is capable of being preserved at or about freezer temperatures, and the product produced thereby.

Abstract: A driving device for a vortex mixing apparatus comprises holders for holding a mixing unit of a type having at each opposite end a pumping diaphragm for imposing a pulsatile flow on a liquid passing through a primary channel in the unit. Two pistons are each arranged to cooperate with a respective one of the diaphragms and to reciprocate between a retracted position clear of the unit and an extended position in which it extends into a housing of the unit and compresses the respective diaphragm. Driving mechanisms are normally arranged to reciprocate the pistons in phase at the same frequency such that when one piston is moving from its retracted position to its extended position the other is moving from its extended position to its retracted position and vice versa. Control mechanisms are arranged, upon stopping of the driving mechanisms, to cause both pistons to adopt retracted positions so that the unit may be inserted into, and removed from the holders without interference from the pistons.