Abstract: A method for preparation of solid foodstuff comprises reacting an alkaline earth metal-type solidifying agent with an emulsion comprising soybean protein, a casein, oils and fats and water with heating. According to this method, mixing and emulsification of raw materials can be performed in a shortened period of time. In spite of agitation with heating, products free from sandy feeling or dryness and crumbling but having an excellent melt in the mouth can stably be obtained.

Abstract: A process for preparing a paste product which comprises mixing a heat gellable protein paste with an acidic paste in a low degree of homogeneity and heating to gelatinize the resulting mixture. A mixing-molding apparatus used for the preparation of the paste product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a cheese flavor concentrate. There is provided an emulsion of a fat or oil containing butyric acid as an essential constituent fatty acid, a protein, a lactic bacteria assimilable saccharide and water. To the emulsion there is added a lipolytic enzyme and a proteolytic enzyme and lactic bacteria followed by subjecting the resulting mixture to aging for a time sufficient to produce said flavor concentrate.

Abstract: A hard butter composition useful as a cacoa butter substitute comprising an intermediate fraction of palm oil and a solid fat fraction of shea fat, the total content of 2-oleo-1,3-distearin and 2-oleo-palmito-stearin in said shea fat fraction being lower than 80% by weight, wherein an intermediate fraction of palm oil having a slip melting point of 29.0.degree.-32.5.degree. C. and a clear point of not more than 34.degree. C. is utilized, whereby the shea fat fraction is not required to be specifically purified.

Abstract: A method for producing a hard butter fraction useful as a cacao butter substitute from a shea fat by fractionation thereof, which comprises dissolving the shea fat in a low-polar solvent: n-hexane and separating the gummy unsaponifiable substances (gums) which are precipitated at a low temperature (e.g. -30.degree. to 5.degree. C) to give the desired hard butter fraction, by utilizing the difference in the solubilities of the hard butter fraction and the gummy unsaponifiable substances in the solvent.

Abstract: A method for producing improved shea fat suitable for hard butter, which comprises treating a raw shea fat with a lower aliphatic alcohol (e.g. ethanol, propanol or isopropanol), removing the alcohol-insoluble portion, cooling the remaining solution to separate into two layers, the upper layer being oil-poor and the lower layer being oil-rich, and collecting the latter oil-rich layer, said lower layer being usually subjected to a solvent fractionation with n-hexane, acetone or methyl ethyl ketone. The improved shea fat is admixed with an intermediate fraction of palm oil to give the desired hard butter having superior tempering properties.