Abstract: Method or process in which the size of de-juiced natural citrus fiber is very significantly reduced by particularly defined milling operations including a chopping step and a grinding step so that 90% or more of the citrus fiber feedstock has a particle size below about 50 microns, preferably 30 microns, and in which the size-reduced fiber is then mixed into a juice or juice-based beverage. The preferred process pre-treats the feedstock by means of a special separator to improve the flavor.

Abstract: A process is provided for sterilizing or pasturizing aqueous fluids by contacting the aqueous fluid with a permeable membrane to separate the fluid into a serum and a residue, separating the serum into two portions, the pH of the first portion is increased and the pH of the second is decreased. The second portion of serum is combined with the residue, maintained at an elevated temperature to reduce the concentration of microbial cells, and combined with the first portion of serum to reconstitute the flowable fluid with a reduced concentration of viable cells.

Abstract: Citrus fruit juice beverages with minimized bitterness can be obtained by treating citrus fruit juice under a pressure of at least 2000 Kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A method of drying a water-containing foodstuff or beverage at a temperature above ambient, is characterized by incorporating trehalose into the foodstuff or beverage which is to be dried.

Abstract: A mutant strain of Schizosaccharomyces #442 (ATCC46954) requiring both glucose and L-malic acid for growth has been produced which is capable of completely utilizing L-malic acid without substantial depletion of glucose. The mutant strain is known as Schizosaccharomyces malidevorans Rodriguez-Thornton #11 (ATCC20771). The yeast is capable of being used to remove L-malic acid from mediums including both L-malic acid and glucose thus making it possible to remove L-malic acid from juices without affecting sweetness, or from grape juices during wine-making conditions without affecting the quantities of glucose available for alcohol fermentation.The invention extends to juice products and wine made using such mutant strains.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preserving lemon juice without the use of sulfite agents. The process uses sodium benzoate and optionally ascorbic acid, glucose oxidase, sodium acid pyrophosphate, or sodium hexametaphosphate, or an inert gass, such as carbon dioxide, helium or nitrogen or any combination thereof. Non-refrigerated shelf-life of 12 months or more before browning occurs is thereby achieved.

Abstract: A method of producing an odorless ripe dokudamiso juice comprises the steps of preparing a green juice from fresh dokudamiso, heating the green juice prepared at a temperature of 70.degree. to 80.degree. C. for 10 to 30 minutes or roughly filtering the prepared green juice, and oxidizing it. This method permits the dokudamiso components having medicinal effects to be easily provided at any time in a form which allows internal use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for deaerating fruit juices during their manufacture, wherein vacuum deaeration is conducted on a concentrated source of the fruit juice, at a temperature such as to avoid damaging the volatile components of the fruit juice and separately deaerated water is subsequently added to the deaerated concentrated source.

Abstract: Low-calorie aerated fruit, vegetable and spicy foods free of fats and albumin having improved taste, increased volume and stable structure said foods containing sugar or sugar substitutes or sweeteners, spices or fruit or vegetable extracts combined with hydrocolloids and optionally suitable emulsifiers to achieve a high and stable overrun.

Abstract: A counter-current contacting device which includes a number of features which increase the efficiency and/or increase the pressure differential across the device is disclosed. Systems for reducing the alcohol content of an alcohol containing beverage or wine, for stripping aroma and flavor from a fruit juice and for desulphuring a liquid containing dissolved sulphur dioxide are also disclosed. Each of these systems incorporate a counter-current contact device of the invention.

Abstract: A method for clarification and concentration of grape musts. Harvested and picked-up and crushed grapes are placed in a vinification vat, from which comes a must. The must then passes on to an apparatus where the solid phase and the liquid phase of the must are separated; and then the liquid phase is introduced into a flotation apparatus where it is clarified. The clarified must is then conveyed to a vat connected to a reverse osmosis concentration loop.

Abstract: Nutritional mineral supplements comprise iron compounds and calcium compounds in combination with citrates or tartrates, ascorbates, and, optionally, fructose. The tendency of calcium to inhibit the bioavailability of iron is reduced in such compositions, so that conjoint bioavailability of these two important minerals is enhanced.

Abstract: Vitamin and mineral-fortified beverages, especially carbonated beverages are disclosed. These beverages are stable and contain vitamin A in the form of encapsulated .beta.-carotene, vitamin C and riboflavin. The beverages show enhanced calcium and iron absorption.

Abstract: Beverages including a liquid carrier and a combination of gum arabic and pectin having a degree of esterification of at least 50%, at a level to provide at least 2 grams of fiber per 8 fluid ounce serving.

Abstract: In this invention, both a grape juice concentrate and a grape juice drink are produced by first preparing the raw material for a year's production during vintage, transferring grape juice so produced to a vacuum concentrating column before it ferments, heating the grape juice in the column and subjecting it to a low pressure (vacuum) to separate it into a distillate and a first stage grape juice concentrate which has a Baume of about 35, separate storing the first stage grape juice concentrate, remixing some of the stored concentrate with the distillate to produce a low calorie grape juice drink and further concentrating the first stage concentrate to produce a food product having a Baume above 35.

Abstract: A process of inhibiting enzymatic browning in raw fruit and vegetable juices comprising treating the juices with cyclodextrins, individually or in combination. Soluble cyclodextrins treatments may be added directly to the juices. In the alternative, isoluble cyclodextrins may be used as a packing in a column or in a batch treatment process. In effect, treatments of the invention tend to limit the extent or rate of enzymatic browning in the affected juices. Also disclosed are novel browning inhibiting compositions which are effective in controlling enzymatic browning in raw fruit and vegetable juices. The novel compositions are potential alternatives for presently used sulfites.

Abstract: This invention relates to an efficient process for separating and recovering aroma and flavor volatiles from fruit or vegetable juices and for lowering the pectin levels in cloudy juices. The process involves removing the aroma/flavor volatiles from juice by forming a microaerosol by spraying juice at a temperature of from 45.degree. C. to 110.degree. C. through a nozzle having a diameter of about 100 microns to 600 microns at a velocity of 100 m/sec. to 250 m/sec. and into a vacuum chamber at 5 mm to 200 mm Hg and at temperatures of from 10.degree. C. to about 55.degree. C. and then treating the recovered juice fraction with a pectinase which is essentially free of esterases. The decreased pectin level increases the gustatory display of the aroma/flavor and improves the mouthfeel of the beverage. Decrease of the pectin level is achieved essentially without the formation of methanol and essentially without the hydrolysis of important aroma ester compounds.

Abstract: An all natural, frozen food product and method for making same. The product is formed solely from all natural fruit, vegetable juices, purees or combination thereof. No additional vegetable proteins or stabilizers are required, yet a consistency ranging from a slush drink to hard pack ice cream is obtained by interaction of natural ingredients mixed in proper proportions. In particular, the product has a brix level from about 16 to 35, a pH of less than about 4.5, and is produced to have an overrun of between about 18 and 100. In some embodiments, food (fruit or vegatable) chunks are included which maintain their fruit piece identity. Processing includes heating a base mixture of purees and/or juices. Preferably the base mixture is aseptically processed to produce a shelf stable product. The consistency can be selected based on the brix and pH characteristics of the base.

Abstract: This invention relates to an efficient process for separating and recovering aroma and flavor volatiles from fruit or vegetable juices and for lowering the amount of sugar in juices. The process involves removing the aroma/flavor volatiles from juice by forming a microaerosol by spraying juice at a temperture of from 45.degree. C. to 110.degree. C. through a nozzle having a diameter of about 100 microns to 1200 microns at a velocity of 100 m/sec. to 250 m/sec. and into a vacuum chamber at 5 mm to 200 mm Hg and at temperatures of from 10.degree. C. to about 55.degree. C. and then treating the recovered juice fraction with a yeast. The alcohol formed during this fermentation reaction is removed by distillation, preferably by the same aerosolization process as the volatiles are removed. The aroma and flavor volatiles are returned to the juice to provide a good tasting low calorie fruit juice.

Abstract: A membrane process for producing an improved product quality comprising feeding a clarified serum at an elevated pressure to a plurality of reverse osmosis units in two stages--the first having high-rejection polyamide membranes and the second having low-rejection membranes, wherein the permeate from the low-rejection membranes is recycled to the high-rejection feed.

Abstract: Low viscosity orange juice concentrates which are useful in preparing high Brix concentrate products that are less pseudoplastic at freezer temperatures and are more highly dispersible when reconstituted with water are disclosed. These low viscosity orange juice concentrates are obtained by subjecting concentrated orange juice to high shear treatment for a period of time sufficient to reduce the mean particle of the sinking pulp at least about 40 microns and thus lower the viscosity of the concentrated juice. The mean particle size of the sinking pulp in these low viscosity orange juice concentrates is typically about 125 microns or less.

Abstract: In this invention, a grape juice concentrate is produced by crushing grapes to extract grape juice (10, 11), subjecting the grape juice to a first stage vacuum concentration (19) before it ferments by heating the grape juice and subjecting it to a low pressure (vacuum) to separate it into a distillate and a grape juice concentrate which has a Baume between 25 and 40, subsequently subjecting the concentrate to a second stage of vacuum concentration (31), also by heating under vacuum conditions, and packaging (42) the second stage concentrate when its Baume lies between 38 and 55. The second stage concentrate can be creamed (43) by high speed agitation before packaging, provided it is sufficiently fluent (e.g. a Baume of 40).

Abstract: Commercially processed orange juice products, including frozen orange juice concentrates, which are closer to hand-squeezed orange juice in character are disclosed. At single-strength, these products have a viscosity of about 7 centipoise or less (at 8.degree. C.) and a titratable oil content of about 0.015% or less. These products are further characterized by an orange aroma and flavor component which has a higher ratio of certain desirable "fresh" and "orangey" compounds, relative to certain less desirable orange compounds, when compared to current commercial orange juice products prepared from orange juice concentrate.

Abstract: Fruit juices are concentrated to low moisture levels (below about 25 percent, and preferably as low as about 2 percent moisture content) without excessive increases in viscosity or loss of flavor by adding an edible plasticizer such as glycerin, propylene glycol or a mixture thereof, to a fruit juice or fruit juice concentrate, and evaporating most of the moisture from the concentrate-plasticizer mixture. The resulting fruit juice solids-plasticizer mixture can be used as an additive for chewing gum, foods, or concentrated fruit juice compositions for reconstitution in water to form beverages.

Abstract: A fruit juice mix suitable for hard pack product made essentially from natural ingredients containing at least one fruit juice source in association with about 0.05 to 1.5 percent by weight of various stabilizers and preferably 0.30 to 0.60 percent xanthan gum based upon the total weight of the mix. An amount of water and other ingredients such that the blend has a brix value of greater than about 10 to aobut 35 and for more desirable results of 20 to 30 and preferably 20 to 25. No refined sugar or corn sweetener is added in or to the blend. Moreover, the juice mix can be frozen to form a hard pack material that can be stored at lower temperatures, usually minus 18.degree. C. and lower for days and then be warmed to minus 5 to minus 10.degree. C. and be scooped out to be served and eaten without the appearance of being too icy, coarse, crumbly or gummy but exhibits a smooth, fine creamy texture and superior melt characteristics relative to soft pack.

Abstract: A membrane process for producing a juice product with improved quality comprising feeding a single strength juice to a plurality of microfiltration/ultrafiltration stages wherein the first stage is a microfilter having a membrane pore size smaller than the spoilage microorganisms but substantially larger than the flavor and aroma molecules and wherein subsequent stages are ultrafilters having membranes of decreasing pore size.

Abstract: A liquid shelf-stable freezable fruit juice-containing composition which includes fruit juice, a sweetener, at least one pH controlling and stabilizing effective amount of a stabilizer and methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: A process for preparing vegetable or fruit juices which utilizes mcrofiltration followed by ultrafiltration and/or reverse osmosis, which can be practiced e.g., without entailing a reduction in filtration rate due to the contamination of the membrane, so that ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis unit can be smaller than the one conventionally used and can be cleaned with greater ease.

Abstract: The method for preparing these beverages and concentrates involves forming a premix solution containing highly soluble calcium citrate and malate species which is then combined with concentrated fruit juice, plus other fruit juice materials. This method provides beverages and concentrates which contain substantial levels of solubilized calcium without generating cooked/browned off-flavors and without including undesirable species such as chloride ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing prepared materials of fruits, vegetables and fishery products under a nitrogen gas atmosphere at a gauge pressure of 150 KPa and more by using physical steps to prevent the oxidation of the processed materials and the undesirable propagation of micro-organisms, and to maintain the natural flavor of the materials.

Abstract: A foodstuff which inhibits the increase in blood sugar content is disclosed. This foodstuff contains starch and/or sucrose and further contains pullulan in weight ratio of pullulan to starch and/or sucrose of 1:400 to 1:20.

Abstract: A method for the color stabilization of fresh, pasteurized, and fermented fruit juices by the use of honey or a color stabilizing protein extract of honey as a stabilizing agent.

Abstract: An externally cooled cylindrical vessel has a draft tube centered in the lower half thereof. A continuous circulation seeded with tartars crystals includes a fast downward flow through the draft tube and a slow upward flow outside the draft tube. The circulation induces crystal growth and the removal of tartars from the liquid. A coning zone is defined in the vessel above the draft tube. The slow upward flow moves toward the calming zone, facilitating classification of the crystalline matter which is reintroduced into the fact downward flow. The liquid product from which the tartars has been removed and which is collected in the upper section of the vessel is tapped off by an overflow port located near the top of the vessel.

Abstract: A method for obtaining commercial feed juices having textural, aroma and flavor properties more like hand-squeezed orange juice is disclosed. This method involves gentle extraction of orange fruit with commercial juice extractors, gentle and quick removal of rag, seeds and peel from the extracted juice, substantially complete removal of sensible pulp, and removal of at least some of the sinking pulp. The feed juices obtained have a relatively low viscosity and sinking pulp level, minimized levels of peel oil and flavanoid glycosides and a relatively high ratio of more desirable orange compounds to less desirable orange compounds.

Abstract: A citrus juice concentrate processor homogenizes a mixture of citrus juice and pulp within or after a multi-effect, multi-stage evaporator. The homogenizer employs a positive displacement pump for pumping the citrus juice mixture through an orifice with a high pressure differential across the orifice. The homogenizer reduces viscosity of the citrus juice mixture. Inter-stage placement of the homogenizer further enables final citrus juice concentrate Brix levels of 65.degree.Brix and greater to be achieved.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentration of microbial cells in a flowable fluid by dividing the fluid into a sterile permeate and a retentate reducing the pH of the retentate in an electrolytic cell, heating the retentate to reduce the concentration of microbial cells therein and increasing the pH of the permeate in an electrolytic cell and combining the retentate and permeate.

Abstract: A process for obtaining banana juice, banana essences and/or de-flavored banana juice from whole, ripe bananas is disclosed.

Abstract: A fruit concentrate sweetener and process of manufacture are disclosed wherein the sweetener is formed from a hydrolyzed starch having a dextrose equivalent of about 5 to 25 and a clear fruit concentrate of at least about 40% soluble solids and about 0% insoluble solids to have about 40 to 65% complex carbohydrates, about 35 to 55% simple sugars from the fruit origin and about 0 to 5% nutritional components. The sweetener may be partially or substantially completely deflavorized and may be dried up to about 96 to 99% soluble solids. Further preferred steps of the process facilitate both deflavorization and drying while also yielding a sweetness level generally similar to sucrose with only about 50% simple sugars, the remainder being nutritionally desirable complex carbohydrates. The sweetener may be included in a variety of sweetened food and beverage products.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of soluble materials from whole citrus fruit including the skin, said process comprising the steps of:severing the whole fruit to form fruit slices including the skin;extracting said fruit slices with water in a counter current extractor to form an extracted juice containing insoluble particulate material, said extraction being conducted such that bitter principles are preferentially retained and/or absorbed by the insoluble material and the introduction of bitter principles into said extracted juice is thus reduced;subjecting said extracted juice obtained from said counter current extractor to the activity of a pectinase enzyme in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce the viscosity of said extracted juice to enable removal of at least some of said insoluble particulate material from said extracted juice; andremoving at least some of said insoluble particulate material present in said extracted juice together with bitter principles, to give citrus juice of reduced bitterne

Abstract: A calcium fortified food product in the form of a ready-to-serve beverage, a frozen concentrate or a reconstitutable dry drink mix is disclosed which provides between 10%-100% of the U.S. RDA of a calcium per six fluid ounces, which has a pH of not more than about 4.5 and which has a Brix-acid ratio of about 5:1 to about 54:1. The product has a pleasant fruity taste, no harsh off-notes, no effervescence and no bitter after-taste.

Abstract: Beverages are produced by adding Lactobacillus bulgaricus and/or lactobacillus helveticus to a processed tomato product in admixture with a milk product for lactic acid fermentation, or by adding such bacterial cells and Streptococcus thermophilus to a processed tomato product in admixture with a milk product with its pH adjusted within a specified range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of a mixture for a tea drink with fruit flavour, wherein a fruit concentrate is mixed with a powder of plant parts, the fruit concentrate is dried and the dried fruit concentrate is subsequently mixed with dried plant parts.

Abstract: An improved non-dairy liquid food product is made by adding dietary fiber and calcium to a fruit juice or a drink. The dietary fiber may include soluble, insoluble dietary fiber or mixtrues there of. Any soluble, insoluble, organic or inorganic calcium salt may be employed.

Abstract: A fruit juice shake mix is provided which can be stored in bulk packages such as a gallon to several gallon containers or as individual essentially a single person quantity in unit packages of usually several to a dozen individual containers such as cans or rectangular cartons. The fruit juice shake mix may be blended in a freezer to incorporate air or frozen and then air blended in to give about 40 to about 150% overrun and a viscosity suitable to be drawn into the mouth by a straw.

Abstract: Beverages and beverage concentrates nutritionally supplemented with significant levels of solubilized calcium and containing low levels of sulfate, preferably in combination with low levels of chloride, are disclosed. These beverages and concentrates also contain specified levels of edible acids selected from phosphoric acid, citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid, and lactic acid, as well as mixtures of these acids. The particular acid systems are selected to provide the desired flavor and sourness character for the beverages and concentrates. Inclusion of low levels of sulfate/chloride in these beverages and concentrates provides a quicker onset of sourness, prevents or reduces aftertaste effects and improves the solubility of the calcium, particularly when high levels of phosphoric acid or citric acid are used.

Abstract: A citrus flavored beverage concentrate for use in food service beverage dispensers is disclosed which exhibits excellent citrus oil stability. A multiple component concentrate is used, with one component containing the citrus oil and being at a pH of about 3.7 to about 4.6, and a second component which is highly acidic, being at a pH of 1.4 to 3.0, depending on the flavor of the beverage.

Abstract: A method for producing citrus juices with low final percentages of pulp. A centrifuge is used, with the space in the drum that receives the heavier phase, the phase with a high concentration of pulp, discontinusously emptied of at least some of the pulp through slide-activated extraction openings in the jacket of the drum. The light phase, the clarified juice, is continuously extracted. To ensure that the juice will be clarified considerably more effectively in the centrifuge at low energy and equipment costs, with the throughput increased incrementally, juice with a high concentration of pulp is continuously extracted from the centrifuge through channels or through an annular space that is demarcated on the inside by a large separating disk and that has an inflow opening at the largest inside diameter of the drum.

Abstract: A fruit juice shake containing at least one type of fruit juice having a brix value greater than about 30 to about 75, a total amount of stabilizers from at least about 0.05 to 1.5%, about 0.05 to 0.5% of protein, sufficient flavoring agent or agents to give the desired flavor in a frozen state, and sufficient water to give a mix having a brix greater than about 15 and less than 30, sufficient added edible acid to give a pH of less than about 4.4 and greater than about 3.0, a total acidity of about 0.15 to 0.80, measured as citric acid, and containing from about 20 to about 150% overrun and being frozen to a temperature of about -5.degree. F. or less and subsequently thawed for consumption thereof at a viscosity greater than 50,000 and less than about 350,000 cps units at about -4.5.degree. C. to -6.0.degree. C.

Abstract: Methods of using fructose as a sweetener, particularly crystalline fructose, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of using dry foodstuff mixes containing fructose in a crystalline form to prepare foods for consumption while hot or cold. Further, the use of fructose and acidulants to obtain a foodstuff of desired sweetness is also disclosed. The consistent sweetness of fructose over temperature, regardless of the distribution of anomeric forms thereof, and the varying effect different acidulants have on the sweetness of fructose are also disclosed.

Abstract: A beverage concentrate comprises (a) about 45 to 80 weight percent fructose; (b) about 15 to 50 weight percent water; and (c) about 1 to 25 weight percent flavoring. The concentrate has a water activity of about 0.6 to 0.8 and is pourable at 5.degree. F.