Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve flavor while masking various off-flavors in foods. (1) A masking flavorant containing: isovaleric acid and/or phenethyl alcohol; and lactones, and having a weight ratio (lactones)/(isovaleric acid and phenethyl alcohol) of 0.1 or more and 1000 or less. (2) The masking flavorant according to (1), in which at least one selected from the group consisting of the isovaleric acid, the phenethyl alcohol, and the lactones is a microbial fermentation product by (A) yeast and/or koji mold, or (B) yeast and/or koji mold and lactic acid bacteria. (3) A food containing the masking flavorant described in (1) or (2) and having a content of the lactones of 1 ppb or more on a weight basis. (4) The food according to (3), which is free of an animal-derived raw material.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a textured plant protein material having chewiness due to a dense texture with small voids, and favorable restorability when reconstituted in hot water. Discovered is a freeze-dried textured protein material having favorable restorability when reconstituted in hot water and chewiness due to a dense texture with small voids. The textured protein material is produced by (A) introducing a raw material including a protein raw material into an extruder, adding water to attain a water content of from 60 to 80 wt.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a textured plant protein material which has meat-like umami and a juicy palate and does not provide grain smell peculiar to plant protein materials. A textured plant protein material can be produced, which is capable of providing a juicy palate while having meat-like umami by using a microbial fermentation product having a yeast smell created by fermentation and containing ?-lactones and/or ?-lactones to mask grain smell peculiar to plant proteins.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a textured protein material which can enhance the fibrous texture of a processed food such as a product including meat or fish meat or a product including a vegetable raw material as a substitute therefor, has a high speed of water absorption, and can be used with ease.