Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method for making a healthy snack food having an appearance and taste similar to conventional fried snack products without the use of an oil-frying process. The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing food slices from a starch-based food or dough. The food slices can be blanched and a controlled amount of oil can be added to enhance final organoleptical properties. The food slices are then rapidly dehydrated to a much lower moisture content in a primary drying step that simulates conventional frying dehydration rates. A food snack, such as a corn or potato-based snack, produced by this method is a low-fat, ready-to-eat snack having the conventional texture and taste associated with fried snack products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and installation for drying food products comprising the steps: a) extracting water from the food products in a first area so as to reduce the superficial activity of the products by subjecting the products to an air flow of substantially uniform velocity, wherein the velocity is greater than a preset minimum value; b) increasing the water activity of a surface of the products in a second area by applying a sufficient staying time and by reducing the airflow that is in the first area; and c) alternating cyclically between steps a) and b) until a predetermined loss of weight of the products is reached.

Abstract: The present invention discloses formulations for sheeted, baked fruit and vegetable crackers that have a light, crispy texture similar to a potato chip or cracker. Undehydrated ingredients are combined with dry ingredients and oil to make a dough, which is then sheeted and cut into pieces. The pieces are baked to produce vegetable and fruit snack crackers.

Abstract: An instant coffee powder comprises dried soluble coffee in the form of particles or granules having internal voids filled with entrapped pressurized gas. Advantageously, when the coffee powder is dissolved in a beverage, the instant coffee powder produces a foam on the top surface of the beverage.

Abstract: Quinoa grain products having a reduced bitter flavor with a sweet taste or crunchy texture. Despite numerous beneficial properties, quinoa grain has not been utilized in a wide variety of products. Provided are efficient processes for quinoa to obtain additional products and to process the quinoa grain to yield components for food ingredients. The dried edible quinoa product is particularly useful to flavor and/or texture bakery products, nutrition bars, granolas, confections and chocolates. It can withstand additional and/or extreme food processing and can be used as a replacement for allergenic nuts, seeds, and sesame seeds. The sweet quinoa product is particularly useful to flavor and/or sweeten, or function as humectants, in bakery products, nutrition bars, beverages, and coffee and tea products and can serve as a replacement or partial replacement of corn syrup and brown rice syrup. Lastly, the quinoa products are considered to be hypo-allergenic.

Abstract: A process for preparing a dehydrated carbohydrate-containing nutritional product comprises preparing a liquid concentrate with a reduced carbohydrate content, spraying the liquid concentrate into a spray-drier and incorporating the remainder of the carbohydrate content into the nutritional product by blowing solid carbohydrate particles into the spray dryer and removing the carbohydrate-containing nutritional product from the spray-drier. The process substantially reduces the problem of fouling of the spray dryer.

Abstract: A hand-held oatmeal product is provided that is ready to eat. The oatmeal product may be packaged in a retortable pouch. Methods of making the oatmeal product are provided.

Abstract: A method for producing an extruded food product comprising from about 25% to about 77% meat and vegetable protein by continuously introducing components of the food product to an extruder wherein the components include meat and vegetable protein; mixing the components to produce a mixture in the extruder; heating the mixture in the extruder to produce the food product; extruding the food product from the extruder through the extruder die; and cooling the food product. The product may further comprise plasticizers and be substantially free of cross-linking compounds. Generally, the product is a meat analog having a fibrous texturized appearance characteristic of meat.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a high protein crispy poultry food product and method for preparing the same. The snack chip can contain chicken or turkey and have a fat content of between 0-20% by weight. The snack chips can be formed from dough containing 30-100% by weight of chicken or turkey and having a protein content equal to, or above 3% by weight. The dough can also have a moisture content of approximately 20-70% by weight. To achieve the targeted moisture content, dry dough products, such as corn masa, potatoes, or rice, can be mixed with the turkey or chicken. Add back, or partial drying can also be used to reduce the moisture content. Dry ice can also be added to the dough to sufficiently cool the dough to prevent it from sticking to the rollers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of modification of dissolution kinetics of particulate materials. In particular, the present invention relates to the adaptation of the dissolution kinetics of powders, e.g., food powders to a particular purpose. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a Composite Particle to be dissolved comprising at least two solid soluble sub-particles, at least one of which has a negative heat of dissolution in the liquid the Composite Particle is to be dissolved in.

Abstract: The present invention aims to propose a particulate composition containing reduced coenzyme Q10, which simultaneously shows high oxidative stability and high absorbability in the body and a production method thereof, as well as a stabilizing method thereof, to be used in the fields of foods, foods with nutrient function claims, foods for specified health uses, nutritional supplements, nutritional products, animal drugs, beverages, feeds, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, therapeutic drugs, prophylactic drugs and the like.

Abstract: A method for heat-treating flour comprising the steps of dehydrating the flour to minimize or avoid gelatinization, and heat treating the dehydrated flour. The resulting flour has increased moisture absorption. Dough made from the heat-treated flour has improved performance and baked goods made from the heat-treated flour have improved properties relative to dough and baked goods made from untreated flour.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method for making a healthy snack food having an appearance and taste similar to conventional fried snack products without the use of an oil-frying process. The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing food slices from a starch-based food or dough. The food slices can be blanched and a small amount of oil can be added to enhance final organoleptical properties. The food slices are then rapidly dehydrated to a much lower moisture content in a primary drying step. The dehydrated food slices can then be heated to impart fried flavor notes. A food snack, such as a corn or potato-based snack, produced by this method is a low-fat, ready-to-eat snack having the conventional texture and taste associated with fried snack products.

Abstract: A sterilised food product containing starch, the starch having: (a) an amylose content of at least 60 wt. %; (b) a median particle size of between 1 and 15 &mgr;m, at least 90 wt. % of the starch particles having a particle diameter of less than 50 &mgr;m; and (c) a non-digestible starch content of less than 50 wt. %; and (d) a slowly digestible starch content of 15-75 wt. %. The product is obtained by heating and rapidly cooling the starch product and has a high slowly digestible starch content. It is suitable for use in the treatment of diabetes, obesitas, insulin resistance, or for postprandial glucose response.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a chew toy for pets has steps of: producing a base layer and an outer layer; shaping the base layer; (c) applying the outer layer to the base layer to manufacture a semifinished material and drying the semifinished material to obtain a chew toy, wherein the base layer has poprice, sweet rice flour and water and the outer layer has soybean, animal parts and glycerol. The chew toy has poprice, sweet rice flour, soybean, animal parts and glycerol, therefore has a nutritional value, is easily digested and has health benefits for the pet, including strengthening their teeth and exercising their palate and jaw.

Abstract: Acid-neutralizing agent contains substantial amount of calcium of an acid-neutralizing ability against various acid chemicals substance for humans, animals, agricultural produces, meat and poultry. And the method of producing the same are provided. An environmental friendly high speed and high press scraping treatment is applied to a calcium-containing substance represented by calcium carbonate-containing substances originating from shellfishes, to eliminate heavy metals and other contamination accumulated on the surface. A heating and baking treatment is applied separately to the different said shellfishes and calcium carbonate-containing minerals and charcoal of bamboo to the temperature and maintaining the temperature not less then the decompose point of each calcium component-containing substance, a sufficient time of heating and baking treatment from 3 hours up to 18 hours depend on materials treated.

Abstract: An edible snack product comprises an undulating elongated body with a crenate cross-section and a composition that includes fruit material. When the snack product is composed entirely or substantially of fruit material, the snack product tends to be sticky and the undulating body and crenate cross-section serve to reduce the surface area of the snack product that would contact the surfaces of a wrapper, equipment and the consumer. By reducing the surface area contact, the tendency of the snack product to stick to the wrapper, equipment and the consumer is reduced.

Abstract: A method for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The process includes introducing a highly concentrated high-lactose aqueous fluid into a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing apparatus in which the highly concentrated high-lactose aqueous fluid is exposed to mixing and to movement of a gaseous fluid at a temperature, moisture content and air speed effective to create a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing cascade to generate a partially crystallized high-lactose aqueous fluid and spraying the partially crystallized high-lactose aqueous fluid into an enclosed drying chamber containing hot air to form a high-solids crystalline product rich in crystalline alpha-lactose monohydrate crystals.

Abstract: A method for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The method includes a step of drying the partially crystallized HLAF in an air-lift dryer which has diverging sidewalls to form a product rich in crystalline alpha-lactose monohydrate.

Abstract: A method for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is described. The process includes spraying a partially crystallized high-lactose aqueous fluid upward into an air-lift dryer having diverging sidewalls.

Abstract: A method for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The process includes introducing highly concentrated high-lactose aqueous fluid into a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing apparatus, exposing the highly concentrated HLAF to a gaseous fluid to create a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing cascade to form a partially crystallized HLAF.

Abstract: A food product is provided that is formed from dehydrated fruit to form a crust for pies, wraps, and the like in which the dehydrated fruit has a water activity level in the range of 0.4 to 0.9 Aw. The dehydrated fruit can be ground into particles that are extruded, compressed, rolled, or stamped into a sheet that is cut into top and bottom crusts. Dehydrated fruit particles having a water activity level of 0.1 to 0.2 Aw can be used to form a cracker-like crust. The fruit-based crust can be used to form an all-fruit pie or similar-type pastry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing nitric acid from an aqueous liquid containing various components such as vegetable extract, and nitrate ion is removed selectively without spoiling the taste or other components, by subjecting the aqueous liquid to chromatographic treatment with an amphoteric ion exchanger to separate nitrate ion from other components contained in the aqueous liquid. A nitric acid-reduced drink is produced by preparing a raw drink material comprising an extract or juice of plant tissue; removing nitric acid from the raw drink material with use of the method of removing nitric acid from an aqueous liquid as described above; and preparing a drink using the raw drink material after the removing of nitric acid.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide is provided. The isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 88% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 22, the polypeptide being capable of increasing a cuticular water permeability of a plant expressing same. Also provided are methods of generating plants expressing such polypeptides which can be used for producing dehydrated plants or cuticular covered portions thereof.

Abstract: Methods of making low-fat or fat free snack food products, and products made according to the methods, in which food pieces are subjected to enzyme and/or cation treatment and/or specific cooking and/or drying techniques, to provide for snack food products having the texture, flavor, and other characteristics of conventional full-fat products.

Abstract: A method for infusing fruits and vegetables with prebiotic soluble fibers in the form of either short chain fructooligosaccharides or dextrins. Fruits and vegetables are submerged in an infusion solution of prebiotic soluble fiber, and undergo both atmospheric and vacuum infusion processes. The infusion solution is maintained at a temperature of between about 45° F. to about 50° F. and at a Brix of about 30° to about 60°. Vacuum (low pressure) pulses are applied to the product to expedite solids infusion (mass transfer) and thereby decrease infusion time and the product is subsequently vacuum fried to attain a great-tasting, fiber-enriched and aesthetically-pleasing fruit or vegetable product with reduced sweetness, good texture, and an enhanced natural taste with less than 2% moisture by weight and a significantly long shelf-life of up to 12 months.

Abstract: A method for enhancing feed efficiency and reducing enteric methane production in livestock, comprising a formulation of natural plants and plant extracts and chemicals, including propionatic acid glycerol, that when feed to ruminants results in decreased enteric methane production and improved feed efficiency.

Abstract: A textured whey protein product for use as a meat extender, meat analog, or snack food is prepared by thermoplastic extrusion of a composition containing whey protein and optionally an edible polysaccharide, such as cornstarch. Whey protein can also be mixed with other edible proteins in certain embodiments of the invention. Puffing of the extruded product results in an expanded snack food product. Methods of making the meat extender product and the snack food product are also shown.

Abstract: The present invention provides instant noodles containing agar and curdlan, having water absorption of 250% or more upon reconstitution with water at 20° C. for 3 minutes, and being capable of reconstitution with water in a time of 5 minutes or less, and having an excellent texture with suitable hardness.

Abstract: A method for making partially popped popcorn from hulled corn kernel is provided. A hulled corn comprising a pericarp structure and interior endosperm having an internal moisture content is modified, such as by boiling, soaking or steaming, to achieve a predetermined moisture content sufficient to inhibit but not prevent popping of the kernel. The modified kernel is exposed to a heated environment, such as a hot air popper, until the modified endosperm expands and ruptures the endosperm, resulting in a partially popped kernel.

Abstract: A seasoning for cooking and a method of producing the seasoning. The seasoning comprises 31 varieties of spices, and a method of producing the seasoning includes stir-frying fructus anisi stellati and fructus tsaoko, respectively, and then mixing the obtained stir-fried fructus anisi stellati and stir-fried fructus tsaoko with the remaining 29 varieties of spices, and finally crushing the mixture. The seasoning of the invention has the characteristics of unique flavor, low toxic side effects, and safe edibility.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (100, 100?) serve to continuously produce fruit leather from a fruit mass. The fruit leather does not include added sugar or fat. The fruit mass includes a share of dry substance of at least 50% and a share of water. The fruit mass exposed to vacuum is cooked for less than one minute in a way to reduce the share of water in the fruit mass to increase the share of dry substance in the fruit mass to approximately between 80% to 90%. The fruit mass is then formed to attain the fruit leather.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for making human consumable jerky treats. The invention provides moist, flavorful jerky treats and methods for making such treats.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for rotary fluidized bed for catalytic polymerization, drying and other treatments of solid particles or for catalytic transformation of fluids, wherein a cylindrical reactor (1), in which the fluids are injected (7) tangentially to its cylindrical wall, is divided into a succession of cylindrical chambers (Z1, Z2, Z3) by hollow discs (3), which are fixed to its cylindrical wall, which have central openings through which the fluids circulating in rotation inside the cylindrical chambers are sucked (10), which have lateral openings through which said fluids are evacuated through the cylindrical wall of the reactor and which have passages (27) for transferring the suspended solid particles in the rotary fluidized bed from one chamber to the next through said discs (3).

Abstract: Waxy flour products exhibiting noncohesive textures and methods of making same are disclosed, with an example of the method comprising the steps of: Obtaining a waxy flour; and heat treating the waxy flour, wherein the pH of the waxy flour is not adjusted during this method.

Abstract: A novel low-carbohydrate digestible hydrocolloidal composition is separated from a cereal-based substrate by means of a specific sequence of steps for treating an aqueous slurry of the substrate. These all-natural compositions are low in digestible carbohydrates, principally starches, and rich in soluble fiber, principally ?-glucan, as well as proteins. The hydrocolloidal products are recovered in high yields, are smooth in texture, have unexpected thickening properties, have a bland flavor, and are useful for texturizing food, especially bakery products. These hydrocolloidal products can also be used as food ingredients for increasing the nutritional level of foods and supplements.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved denatured carob flour, which includes 2 to 15% sugars, 0.2 to 1.5% cyclitols (pinitol), 2 to 10% lignins, 10 to 30% celluloses, 3 to 20% hemicelluloses, 1 to 6% pectins, 25 to 55% condensed tannins, 3 to 9% protein and less than 8% water. The invention further provides a process to obtain a denatured carob flour that includes the following steps: a. cleaning the whole fruit; b. crushing the carob fruits; c. separating the carob seeds and kibbled carob pulp, d. toasting between 130 to 200° C.; e. an extracting process; f. separating; g. milling 90% of particles below 250 pm; h. separating; i. drying below 8%; and j. classifying (sieving).

Abstract: The invention relates to shaped instant pieces which are suitable for producing an instant food or instant drug, in particular an instant drink, which is produced from an instant composition, and to processes for producing the shaped instant pieces of an instant composition.

Abstract: An aerated confection containing particulate material and method for making the same is disclosed. The method allows the incorporation of particulate material at a level of from 1 to 50.0% by weight based on the total weight of the aerated confection. The aerated confection preferably includes hexametaphosphate as a gel-stiffening agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing vegetable products from blanched vegetables, comprising: par frying the blanched vegetables at a par frying temperature and next applying heat and humidity for drying the vegetables.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method for making a healthy snack food having an appearance and taste similar to conventional fried snack products without the use of an oil-frying process. The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing food slices from a starch-based food or dough. The food slices can be blanched and a controlled amount of oil can be added to enhance final organoleptical properties. The food slices are then rapidly dehydrated to a much lower moisture content in a primary drying step that simulates conventional frying dehydration rates. A food snack, such as a corn or potato-based snack, produced by this method is a low-fat, ready-to-eat snack having the conventional texture and taste associated with fried snack products.

Abstract: Oxygen sensitive oils or oils containing oil soluble oxygen sensitive substances are encapsulated in proteins which have been reacted with carbohydrates that contain reducing sugar groups. An aqueous mixture of a protein preferably casein and a carbohydrate preferably a sugar is heated within the range of 60 to 160° C. so that Maillard reaction products are formed in the aqueous mixture. The oil phase, up to 50% by weight is then emulsified with the aqueous phase to form micro encapsulated oil particles. The formation of MRP may also be done after emulsification prior to drying. The emulsions can be used as food ingredients or dried to form powders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing dry sausages by the successive processing steps of: A) manufacturing a half-finished product which is still to be dried and consists of a skin filled with a sausage filling, and B) drying the half-finished product for a period of more than one day, wherein the half-finished products are moved, optionally intermittently, during drying. The invention also relates to an apparatus for manufacturing dry sausages, comprising means for manufacturing half-finished products consisting of a skin filled with a sausage filling still to be dried, and a container for drying a plurality of half-finished products for dry sausages in a drying space with a frame in which at least one endless conveyor is arranged, which conveyor is provided with a plurality of product carriers and wherein the conveyor with product carriers is displaceable relative to the frame.

Abstract: A method for producing concentrated flour from wine grape pomace that includes obtaining an amount of wine grape pomace having moisture content from 50-80% and drying the wine grape pomace at a maximum 70° C. over a time period of 24-48 hours. Upon the completion of the drying step, the dried wine grape pomace is screened to remove stems, seeds and milled into flour through a 100 US mesh.

Abstract: A method of infrared heat-processing of nuts (e.g., almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts and mixtures thereof) in order to reduce the microorganism level thereof is provided wherein the nuts are sequentially moisturized by application of water and then subjected to infrared radiation, preferably through a series of treatment cycles. Nut treatment apparatus (10) includes opposed banks of infrared heaters (38,40), with plural water application stations (48,50,52) along the length of the heater banks (38,40).

Abstract: A process for the production of fresh masa, nixtamalized flour and derived products. The invention is a new process for production of corn masa (dough) to be used in the production of tortillas, fried or baked tortilla chips, tostadas, or corn chips. The new process produces masa directly from raw materials without the traditional cooking and steeping steps. It utilizes a series of processing steps including milling, blending, hydration, cooking and continuous cooling to stop gelatinization. The new process uses very little water and emits no waste water.

Abstract: The invention describes the cost effective process for the preparation of a mixture of salts having low sodium salt (health salt) contain and exclusively derived from vegetable sources which have desired sodium chloride: potassium chloride ratio and traces of micronutrients including iodine, said salt is white in color and free flowing in nature.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for thermally treating flour, especially middlings, for hygienic purposes. The device includes modules which are a first, heatable batch mixer (4) with a pre-mounted depot (1). The batch mixer is connected to a drier/cooler (8) via a look-like flap system (3). A second batch mixer (12) includes a device (14) for adding additives and a discharge device is mounted behind an additional flap system (11) that is mounted behind the drier/cooler (8).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for thermally treating flour, especially middlings, for hygienic purposes. The device includes modules which are a first, heatable batch mixer (4) with a pre-mounted depot (1). The batch mixer is connected to a drier/cooler (8) via a lock-like flap system (3). A second batch mixer (12) includes a device (14) for adding additives and a discharge device is mounted behind an additional flap system (11) that is mounted behind the drier/cooler (8).