Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of fruit for use in packaged dry foods, such as mixes and ready to eat cereal. A method of infusing high levels of liquid humectant into fruits such as raisins, without generating a stream of waste humectant, is disclosed. The method comprises applying a relatively high level of liquid humectant as a surface coating, and allowing the raisins to stand for enough time for most of the humectant to be absorbed into the fruit, before admixing the resulting fruit the dry food for packaging.For dry foods having very low Water Activity levels, e.g. 0.30 and below, special means are disclosed for increasing the liquid humectant carrying capacity of the fruit, in order to accommodate very high levels of liquid humectant as a topical application, for infusion during a period of time in which the raisins are standing, e.g. during storage or shipment.

Abstract: A process for impregnating a grain cereal with honey. The honey is added to the grain cereal under specified conditions of oven temperature, rate of air flow through the oven, residence time in the oven, and cooling. The process correlates the maximum amount of honey to be added to the grain cereal with the type of grain cereal used.

Abstract: Disclosed are shelf stable food compositions comprising infused, dry, oatmeal flakes useful for the preparation of instant oatmeal. The instant oatmeal is, however, characterized by the oatmeal flake size, appearance, texture and taste of traditional oatmeal. The present oatmeal can be prepared by the consumer by simple addition of hot water and a 30 second steeping. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the improved dry oatmeal. The methods involve infusion of oatmeal flakes or preferably steamed oatmeal groats prior to flaking of between 1% to 35% of the oatmeal flakes of low molecular weight solutes such as sugars and polyhydric alcohols. The infused oatmeal flakes are then dried to water activities ranging from 0.17 to 0.7.

Abstract: Disclosed are comestibles, especially ready-to-eat cereals, that are coated with a sweetener and a cold-water-swelling granular starch. A preferred method of preparation comprises: (a) providing a base of dried food pieces; (b) dampening comestible with an aqueous medium; (c) coating dampened coated comestible with substantially dry sweetener cold-water-swelling granular starch and (d) drying the coated comestible.

Abstract: Cereal is combined with more than 50% fruit or vegetable foods by weight for obtaining a nutritional fluid food composition. The cereal component is based upon an enzymatically hydrolyzed cereal in liquid form. The composition does not require including sugar as a further component of the composition and is comprised of at least 10% cereal by weight based on dry matter and in addition to the fruits or vegetables and enzymatically hydrolyzed cereal in liquid form, includes oatmeal, water and oil for providing a desired fat content.

Abstract: A cereal product is produced continuously from bran using a twin screw extruder which blends and cooks the dry bran with syrup. The cooked mixture is then passed through a headspace between the tips of the extruder screws and the extrusion die, and extruded through a die head having a plurality of bores. The extrudate strands expand only slightly, have a roughened outer surface that is visible to the eye, and spontaneously break into strands almost entirely in the range of 0.1 inch to 2 inches. The strands are then dried and toasted to form bran cereal nuggets.

Abstract: The invention relates to soya flakes obtainable by kneading a mixture of soya flour and a partial hydrolyzate of starch having a DE value of 10 to 60 in a proportion of 20 to 100% by weight relative to the soya flour, with addition of water, molding the resulting paste and baking the same, and to a process for the preparation of said soya flakes.

Abstract: The invention provides a shelf-stable paste-filled shredded cereal biscuits having an extended shelf-stable plurality of textures. A first plurality of net-like sheets of cereal dough are continuously laminated, followed by continuous depositing of at least one extrudate rope filling upon the first plurality of net-like sheets. A second plurality of net-like sheets is continuously laminated upon the at least one extrudate rope to obtain a filled laminate. Each of the net-like sheets has a plurality of generally parallel longitudinal strands and a plurality of crosshatchings which are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal strands. The filled laminate is cut to enrobe the filling and the product is baked. The number of crosshatchings of the net-like sheets adjacent to the filling is greater than the number of crosshatchings of the net-like sheets which are further removed from the filling.

Abstract: This invention is a method for distributing a dry, multi-vitamin premix into a cereal grain which is, used for making a milled cereal product. In the preferred embodiment the milled cereal product is shredded wheat. The product of the method is also included in this invention.

Abstract: A cereal is produced using bran and a continuous cooker. The continuous cooker is a twin screw extruder which blends and cooks dry ingredients with syrup, but without addition of water. The cooked mixture is then cooled by the injection of water into a cooling zone, which rapidly reduces the temperature and pressure of the material to be extruded. The cooled material, at a temperature of approximately 150.degree. F.-280.degree. F., dependent upon the formulation used, is extruded through a die head having a plurality of bores there-through. The extrudate strands expand only slightly, and have a roughened outer surface that is visible to the eye, and spontaneously break into strands almost entirely in the range of 0.5 inch to 4 inches. The strands are then dried and toasted, to form a bran cereal nuggets cereal.

Abstract: A flavor-coated cereal capable of releasing its flavor coating into milk in which it is immersed is produced by wetting the surface of a cereal product with a sugar solution, sprinkling a particulate flavoring composition (for example, ground hard candy) onto the cereal product while it is still wet with the sugar solution, and then drying the cereal product.

Abstract: Shredded oat cereals having the unique shredded appearance and eating qualities of shredded wheat are obtained by the process of the present invention. White streaks in the final product, which result from uncooked grain or over-gelatinization, are eliminated by a multi-stage pressure cooking step, using different amounts of water in each stage. The multi-stage pressure cooking step avoids excessive extraction of water soluble gums and starches and is followed by a cooling step which stops further cooking, partially dehydrates the cooked grain and produces a non-sticky surface on the cooked grain. The non-sticky surface permits movement of the cooked oats through material handling equipment. No tempering of the cooked oats is required before shredding. The cooled product is dried, shredded, and baked. Whole oat groats are preferably used in the multi-stage pressure cooking step of the present invention.

Abstract: A process for producing an all natural, enzyme-saccharified, cereal derived from whole grain is disclosed. The process involves milling and separating the whole grain to produce a bran fraction, an endosperm fraction, and a germ fraction. The germ fraction is processed by toasting and grinding and preferably by removing bran before the toasting. The bran fraction and any bran material separated out from the ground germ is modified to increase its functionality by high temperature, high shear extrusion in a counter-rotating twin screw extruder. The endosperm fraction is coarsely milled, made into a slurry, cooked and then enzymatically hydrolyzed. The final step involves recombining the processed fractions, to form a cereal dough which is further processed to produce a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal. Optionally from 1-15% of the whole grain may be malted and added into the cereal dough.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of microbially shelf-stable paste-filled shredded cereal biscuits having an extended shelf-stable plurality of textures. A first plurality of net-like sheets of cereal dough are continuously laminated, followed by continuous depositing of at least one extrudate rope filling upon the first plurality of net-like sheets. A second plurality of net-like sheets is continuously laminated upon the at least one extrudate rope to obtain a filled laminate. Each of the net-like sheets has a plurality of generally parallel longitudinal strands and a plurality of crosshatchings which are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal strands. The filled laminate is cut to enrobe the filling and the product is baked. The number of crosshatchings of the net-like sheets adjacent to the filling is greater than the number of crosshatchings of the net-like sheets which are further removed from the filling.

Abstract: A sweet, coated, ready-to-eat cereal and a method for making the sweet, coated, ready-to-eat cereal where the coated ready-to-eat cereal comprises: (a) a ready-to-eat cereal base; (b) a dipeptide sweetener in an amount in the range of about 0.05% to 0.5% of the weight of the ready-to-eat cereal base; and (c) an edible acid selected from the group consisting of mono-, di- and tri-carboxylic acids which have at least one pK.sub.a in the range of about 3.0 to 6.0, wherein the dipeptide sweetener and the edible acid are intermingled in a coating on the ready-to-eat cereal base.

Abstract: Methods for making sweet, flavored, coated comestible where the sweet, flavored, coated comestible comprises (a) a comestible base, (b) a dipeptide sweetener, (c) a fat dispersible flavoring material containing a carbonyl flavoring compound, and (d) an edible fatty material having a Wiley Melting Point in the range of about 20.degree. C. to 45.degree. C. and an iodine value of less than about 40, wherein the flavoring material containing the carbonyl flavoring compound is dispersed within the edible fatty material and wherein the dispersed flavoring material and dipeptide sweetener are intermingled in a coating on the comestible base.

Abstract: Methods for making sweet, coated ready-to-eat cereal wherein the coated ready-to-eat cereal comprises: (a) a ready-to-eat cereal base; (b) a finely ground dipeptide sweetener, and (c) an edible fatty material having a Wiley Melting Point in the range of about 20.degree. C. to 45.degree. C. and an iodine value of less than about 40, wherein the dipeptide sweetener is encapsulated within the edible fatty material and attached to the surface of the ready-to-eat cereal. In a preferred embodiment, methods are described for making a ready-to-eat cereal product which offers a strong sensation of sweetness without a greasy appearance or feel.

Abstract: A new class of ready-to-eat cereals is disclosed. These products are baked bite sized pieces produced from a cookie dough, but having a bowl life of at least 3 minutes, and preferably containing fat in the amount between 3 and 17 percent, in which an effective bowl-life extending amount of an additive selected from the group free fatty acid, edible insoluble metallic salt of fatty acid, and mixtures thereof, is added.A preferred additive for providing bowl life in emminently satisfactory ranges is magnesium stearate.

Abstract: A dry instant rice porridge mix reconstitutable in milk is prepared by mixing instant rice with a thickener, nonfat dry milk solids, and an alkaline metal pyrophosphate. The porridge mix is also reconstitutable in water with the addition of dry milk solids.

Abstract: Novel instant rice gruel is provided which consists of swelled up and .alpha. converted rice produced such that raw rice is steamed or boiled to contain 12-13% water, and is then swelled up to 5 to 7 times as its original volume, and of suitable amount of .alpha. converted, glutinous rice granules. Its process also is provided. The rice gruel can be quickly and conveniently cooked. Further, the instant rice gruel can be used as emergency food.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for preparing shelf stable fruit pieces. The process comprises the steps of (a) providing fresh fruit pieces; (b) deactivating or retarding enzymatic browning; (c) cooking in an acidified sugars syrup; optionally (d) cooling and draining; (e) sulfiting; and (f) dehydrating. The fruit pieces so prepared are soft in texture, even when dried to low A.sub.w 's, and can be used in R-T-E cereals or as snack items per se.

Abstract: Cereal food products are prepared from oat bran which is a portion of the oat groat which contains at least 150% more crude fiber than the whole oat groat and contains increased levels of protein, gum, fat and ash than the whole oat groat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a dehydrated, readily reconstituable (i.e. "instant") baby cereal porridge product from a reduced-viscosity, gelatininzed, cereal flour-water mixture. The reduction in viscosity of the gelatinized cereal flour-water mixture is achieved by a method in which a cereal flour-water slurry having flour solids content in the range 14% to 30% inclusive, is gelatinized and then subjected to a mechanical shearing action. In preferred embodiments one of the cereal flour ingredients in the slurry is oat flour.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a dehydrated, readily reconstitutable (i.e. "instant") baby cereal porridge product from a reduced-viscosity, gelatinized, cereal flour-water mixture. The reduction in viscosity of the gelatinized cereal flour-water mixture is achieved by a method in which a cereal flour-water slurry having flour solids content in the range 14% to 30% inclusive, is gelatinized and then subjected to a mechanical shearing action. In preferred embodiments one of the cereal flour ingredients in the slurry is oat flour.

Abstract: A process for producing an all natural, enzyme-saccharified, cereal derived from whole grain is disclosed. The process involves milling and separating the whole grain to produce a bran fraction, an endosperm fraction, and a germ fraction. The germ fraction is processed by toasting and grinding and preferably by removing bran before the toasting. The bran fraction and any bran material separated out from the ground germ is treated to increase its functionality by milling to a particle size of from 5 to 100 microns. The endosperm fraction is coarsely milled, made into a slurry, cooked and then enzymatically hydrolyzed. The final step involves recombining the processed fractions, to form a cereal dough which is further processed to produce a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal. Optionally from 1-15% of the whole grain may be malted and added into the cereal dough.

Abstract: A process for producing an all natural, enzyme-saccharified, cereal derived from whole grain is disclosed. The process involves milling and separating the whole grain to produce a bran fraction, an endosperm fraction, and a germ fraction. The germ fraction is processed by toasting and grinding and preferably by removing bran before the toasting. The bran fraction and any bran material separated out from the ground germ is modified to increase its functionality by high temperature, high pressure extrusion in a counter-rotating twin screw extruder. The endosperm fraction is coarsely milled, made into a slurry, cooked and then enzymatically hydrolyzed. The final step involves recombining the processed fractions, to form a cereal dough which is further processed to produce to ready-to-eat breakfast cereal. Optionally from 1-15% of the whole grain may be malted and added into the cereal dough.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for coating discrete food pieces with a sweet coating such as in the preparation of a presweetened ready-to-eat cereal. The coating contains a mixture of crystalline fructose and high fructose corn syrup. The amorphous fructose of the HFCS is converted in situ into the sweeter beta fructo-pyranose. The method of preparation comprises the steps, in sequence of: (A) providing a base of dried food pieces; (B) applying HFCS seeded with up to 2% powdered crystalline fructose; (C) enrobing dry powdered crystalline fructose onto the cereal pieces in a weight ratio of crystalline fructose to HFCS of from 2:1 to 1:1; (D) coating the food base pieces with an edible oil; and (E) dusting with a dry powdered sugar.

Abstract: Disclosed are comestibles, particularly ready-to-eat cereals, having an exterior coating sweetened with aspartame as well as methods of preparing such coated comestibles. The methods of preparation comprise: (a) preparing an aqueous suspension comprising sufficient amounts of vegetable protein isolates to provide a viscosity of 50 to 25,000 cp. (65.degree. F.) and from about 0.1% to 4% aspartame; (b) enrobing a comestible with the aqueous suspension at a temperature of from about 50.degree. F. to 100.degree. F. to apply sufficient amounts of aspartame so as to provide between about 0.05% to 0.4% aspartame; and then (c) drying the comestibles to a final moisture content of less than about 5%.

Abstract: A process for producing a food composition possessing a malt-like flavor is disclosed. The process involves germinating a cereal grain seed until sprouted roots develop. The sprouted roots are explanted and are then grown on a nutrient medium. The cultured roots are then harvested and heated to develop the malt-like flavor. The composition may be utilized as a source of malt flavor in a foodstuff or beverage.

Abstract: Improved, shelf-stable breakfast foods are prepared consisting of novel, semi-moist fruit and/or fruit pieces blended with cereal of the dry crisp type which is generally served with sugar and cold milk or cream. The relatively high moisture content of the semi-moist, soft fruit is equilibrated with that of the substantially dry crisp cereal particles by equating the water activities of both ingredients before or during storage and thereby effectively controlling moisture migration from the fruit to the cereal over prolonged periods of storage, resulting in cereals which retain their crispness and admixed fruit which retains substantially its original degree of softness and moistness.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a process for preparing a puffed ready-to-eat cereal product from rice. Nato rice typically sticks and clumps during processing. The present invention reduces this problem. In a preferred embodiment, milled rice is admixed with spray dried torula yeast which has been cultured in ethanol, prior to cooking the rice in a sugar solution, and drying, tempering, bumping, puffing and toasting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for adding fat to an expanded, farinaceous food product. The fat is injected into a food extruder in a manner which permits it to become intimately mixed with the food but does not interfere with product cooking or expansion. The foods may be for human or animal consumption. In a preferred embodiment, a high caloric density puppy food is prepared.

Abstract: A cereal-based product containing, in addition to cereal, sugar, fat and whey powder.A process for the production of a cereal-based product, comprising the steps of dry mixing flakes of cereal, sugar and whey powder, working the mixture in a continuous malaxator with blades with addition of edible oil and moisture at a temperature of from 110.degree. to 150.degree. C., cooling the mass obtained and breaking said mass into granulates.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a whole wheat food product is disclosed which comprises:(a) cooking a mixture of water and whole wheat to provide a cooked whole wheat containing from about 28% to about 55% moisture by weight;(b) holding the cooked whole wheat for a period of from 0 to about 12 hours under ambient temperature and pressure conditions;(c) chilling the cooked whole wheat to a temperature selected from within the range of from about 1.degree. C. to about 12.degree. C. (about 34.degree. F. to about 54.degree. F.) to temper the wheat, the temperature selected being such that as the duration of the holding period of step (b) is increased from 0 to about 12 hours, the chilling temperature is proportionately increased from about 1.degree. C. to about 12.degree. C.;(d) shaping the chilled tempered whole wheat to a desired configuration; and(e) baking or toasting the shaped, tempered whole wheat to provide a whole wheat food product.

Abstract: A ready-to-eat breakfast cereal product contains coarse particulate vegetable components, sugar components, and shortening, with or without other ingredients, and is substantially free of flour. The ingredients are mixed into a heterogeneous moldable mass, and the mass is die molded to form a plurality of bite sized pieces which are dried to form a crisp structure characterized by a matrix of particulate components coated and adhered together by the sugar and shortening components.

Abstract: A food-grade composition comprises a food of food-grade material, whey colloidal precipitate and water. The whey colloidal precipitate may effect the physical properties of clouding, stabilizing, gelling and emulsifying. The whey colloidal precipitate is a complex precipitate of whey in colloidal size ranges and is characterized by its ability to gell water and petroleum ether, is white in color, may be dried to a free-flowing powder and has no disagreeable whey taste.

Abstract: Instant corn grits are prepared by a process comprising the steps: (A) admixing corn grits, critical amounts of water, and critical amounts of polysaccharide gum and vitamins and antioxidant; (B) rapidly heating the mixture to a critical temperature for a critical time period; (C) immediately drying the heated mixture in the form of a thin sheet on a drum drier; (D) collecting and comminuting the cooked dried sheet; (E) forming a moist, proteinaceous mixture, and (F) dry blending the comminuted sheet with the moist proteinaceous flavoring material to form a dry mixture, said proteinaceous flavoring comprising from 1 percent to 15 percent by weight of the blended product and said proteinaceous flavoring material having at least about 15 percent by weight protein therein.

Abstract: An instant-type food product of the corn grits type is produced by: (A) admixing corn grits, water, a polysaccharide gum, vitamins, antioxidant and an emulsifier selected from the group polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate, glyceryl monostearate, and a mixture of monoglycerides and diglycerides of edible fats, oils, and fat-forming fatty acids; (B) heating the mixture to a specified temperature range; (C) drying the heated mixture by forming a thin sheet on a drum drier; (D) comminuting the cooked, dried sheet; (E) forming a moist proteinaceous material, and (F) blending the grits with the moist proteinaceous material to form a dry mixture.

Abstract: Food products are supplemented with food supplements comprising finely divided particles of edible, metabolizable fat carrier having mixed therein a nutrient selected from the group consisting of assimilable iron compound, vitamins, minerals and mixtures thereof. Preferably the food supplement is affixed to the food product by applying the supplement to the surface of the food product while said surface is at a temperature above the melting point of the fat carrier.

Abstract: Emulsifier free instant-type corn grits food product are prepared by: (A) admixing corn grits, water, polysaccharide gum and vitamins and antioxidant; (B) heating the mixture in a first heating step; (C) heating the above heated mixture in a second heating step which consists of a critical temperature range; (D) drying the mixture by forming the heated mixture in a thin sheet on a drum drier with the forming being conducted within a critical time period from the last heating step; (E) comminuting the cooked, dried sheet; and blending with a specially prepared moist proteinaceous flavoring agent to form a unique dry mixture.