Abstract: A food product suitable for human consumption, having acceptable flavor and nutritional value, is recovered from cereal grain residues remaining after alcohol fermentation. The food product of the invention is produced by controlling the pH at a range of 4.0-5.0 of the various enzymic conversions of starch to alcohol using only certain organic and inorganic acids which avoid imparting unacceptable mineral acid tastes to the finished product. The preferred acid is citric acid. The pH of the slurry residues before drying to a finished product must be neutralized to about 5.0-8.0. Again, satisfactory taste of the finished product is achieved by carefully selecting the neutralizing agent, typically hydroxides or oxides of Na, K or Ca. Resulting products are characterized as containing only salts from acids used to adjust pH which are taste acceptable. The product forms a 1:10 aqueous suspension having a pH of about 5.0-8.0.

Abstract: A semi-moist cranberry fruit product which is produced by slicing the fruit and through a sugar-spraying process in conjunction with wash-rinsing, surface air drying and vacuum drying or vacuum freeze-drying with sudden release of vacuum. The semi-moist fruit produced has an unusual appearance, consistent, texture and typical, but sweetened cranberry flavor and/or cranberry and orange flavor. Further collecting sweetened juice runoff from the fruit and drying the runoff to produce a taffy-like flavoring additive usable as a candy when the moisture content is reduced to 4-9% or reducing the moisture content to 1-2% and producing a crystalline flavoring additive.

Abstract: Natural dietary fibers having excellent palatability and utility as a dietary supplement are readily prepared by peeling, shredding, extracting, pressing and drying the below-ground portion of members of the chenopodiaceae family at a fiber temperature below 300.degree. F. and treating with a bactericide and antioxidant.

Abstract: Nutritious rehydratable dehydrated food products which contain from about 10% to 35% fat and from 15% to 60% protein, are prepared by (1) comminuting or emulsifying a mixture of edible animal matter derivable from mammals, poultry and/or fish, and vegetable matter (including starch); (2) applying a thin layer of the comminuted mixture to the heated surface of a drum dryer; and (3) cooking and dehydrating the mixture on said drum dryer surface. The food product so formed contains no more than about 11% moisture, is in flake or powder form, and is rehydratable to at least three times its dried weight.

Abstract: Described is a method for producing a candied fruit, including the steps of immersing in a syrup a natural fruit previously washed with water, peeled and cored, and heating the fruit and the syrup by microwave heating for substituting water and air bubbles in the fruit pulp by the syrup while the fruit remains immersed in the syrup. Also described is a method for producing dried fruit additionally including the step of drying the fruit produced as described above.

Abstract: A sweetened fruit having a low water activity relative to its moisture content is prepared by bathing a dry fruit in an aqueous sugar solution having about 70 to 95 weight percent sugar, at least about 75 weight percent of which is fructose.

Abstract: A method for producing sweetened, sliced fruit or vegetable products by exposing only one surface of the slices to an aqueous solution containing a carbohydrate, an anti-browning agent, and an acid. The acidity of the finished product may be adjusted so that products appealing to sweet-loving palates or tart-loving palates may be easily produced. The aqueous solution may advantageously be sprayed on the upper surface of the sliced fruit or vegetable, rather than by soaking or steeping the slices, so that the slices maintain their structural integrity and the application of the solution is not a rate-limiting factor.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions suitable for the treatment of alfalfa are provided herein. The aqueous compositions contain a hydrocarbon, a lower alkyl ester of a fatty acid and/or alkali metal carbonate. A process for applying said aqueous compositions to the alfalfa at the time of cutting to reduce drying time is also provided.

Abstract: A dried puree of a starchy material, preferably the yam, in the form of flakes is compacted under a pressure of from 50 to 120 bars and then reduced to granules having a bulk density of from 0.40 to 0.65 kg/l. The granules may be placed in a water-permeable bag which may be filled to 45 to 80% of its volume with the starchy material. In the case of the yam, the dry matter content of the reconstituted material is on the order of 30 to 36%.

Abstract: A semi-moist fruit product produced by a sugar-syrupping processing used in conjunction with wash-rinsing, surface air-drying and freeze-drying particularly adapted for use with blueberries, cherries and other similarly constituted fruits, whereby, liquid within the fruit is removed from the fruit through osmotic pressure exchange and is replaced by sugar molecules and an equilibrium is reached, thereafter through washing, rinsing and blotting of excess syrup, the process ensures independent individual dried fruit from sticking together, followed by freezing, vacuuming drying and packaging.

Abstract: Bulk handling, transportation and processing of raisins are improved by first coating raisins with glycerine followed by coating with oil. The finished raisins are packed in sizes of at least 1 lb and no clumping is observed.

Abstract: Legumes and other plants can be dried quickly by contacting them with an aqueous solution of a mixture of carbonates consisting essentially of at least about 20% by weight of sodium sesquicarbonate, at least about 20% by weight of sodium carbonate and at least about 5% by weight of potassium carbonate, all based upon the total dry carbonate weight. The solution desirably is free of undissolved materials.

Abstract: Dehydrated vegetable products having relatively high moisture content and high stability are produced by dehydrating vegetables to the extent where 20-85% of the moisture has been removed; adding to the partially dehydrated vegetables a predetermined volume of a solution containing a known quantity of at least one water activity-controlling solute, the quantity of the solution being such that it is totally absorbed by the vegetables, and the vegetables are then dehydrated to a predetermined final level of moisture and/or water activity. Highly stable vegetable products having salt contents of 3-15% sugar contents of 0-15% and moisture contents of 6-25%, with a water activity preferably in the range of 0.45-0.85 at 20.degree. C. can be produced.

Abstract: Process for treating relatively light-colored dates grown domestically to impart thereto the relatively darker appearance, the flavor, the soft-chewy texture and the shelf-stability of imported dates grown in the Middle East region. The process involves steaming domestic dates at a temperature of at least 175.degree. F. and for a period of time which is sufficient to darken the domestic dates throughout to substantially the same darkness as that of imparted dates. The steamed domestic dates are then dried to provide shelf-stable, treated dates. At no time before or during the process is a liquefied composition containing water and an effective amount of at least one saccharide sugar sweetening agent applied to or contacted with the domestic dates. The size and shape of the shelf-stable, treated dates are substantially the same as the size and shape of the starting domestic dates. Domestic dates are generally of the sucrose-type dates, whereas the imported dates are generally of the inverted-sugar type dates.

Abstract: Legumes, such as beans, are hydrated, and cooked to form a mash prior to forming the resultant mixture into shapes suitable for dehydration to a storage-stable moisture content. The dehydrated bean product has a bulk density greater than about 0.28 gm/cc, and a rehydration ratio within the range of 1.75 to 3.75:1.0, and is capable of substantially uniform reconstitution which does not require physical agitation. The hydrated product is particularly suitable for the preparation of refried beans.

Abstract: A method of producing a dehydrated food product capable of rehydration to produce reconstituted food of good quality which comprises applying microwave radiation to the food received in a container with a lid, or which comprises rotating a container in which the food is received and applying microwave radiation to the food received in the container. The dehydrated food product produced in accordance with the above methods is useful as an ingredient for use in instant food and as snack food.

Abstract: Moist vegetables (2) undergo at least one pressing operation (3) and are introduced into a drier (9) of which the heater elements are fed with vapor recompressed by a compressor unit (20). The juice (4) from the last pressing operation acts as the cold fluid in an evaporator (5) of which the tube stack is fed by the mixture of air and vapor (10) issuing from the moist vegetables being dried. The vapor (6) produced by the evaporator (5) feeds the compressor unit (20). The concentrated juice (7) is used to re-steep the moist vegetables (2) before they enter the pressing zone (3).

Abstract: The invention provides a method for pulverizing or granulating nuts or seeds which comprises mechanically grinding a mixture of nuts or seeds with a cyclodextrin. The invention also provides a stable particulate admixture of cyclodextrin containing nuts or seeds. The admixture is highly stable during storage and provides a versatile product for use in food processing.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and process for making same are provided wherein selected fresh fruit or mixtures thereof may be peeled and/or cored, then made into a puree in a manner which preserves the fruits natural integrity, the peels being comminuted and optionally the core materials being further processed and finished whereafter from about 3 to 8% of the comminuted peels and optionally up to about 11% of the comminuted peels together with the processed core materials by wet weight is dried preferably under controlled atmospheric conditions, to produce a dried product having resistance to thermal set, shelf stability being readily reconstitutable to natural consistency and which does not contain any extraneous extenders, inorganic additives, or other unnatural or undesirable additives.

Abstract: Internally flavored hulled cereal grain, especially popcorn is provided along with a method for the preparation of same.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a free-flowing, dried, pulped and finished fruit puree product in the form of flakes which are readily reconstitutable to the natural fruit puree consistency. The process comprises the steps of (1) preparing a fruit puree by pulping and finishing a fresh fruit so as to remove the skins and core materials therefrom: (2) adding an amount not more than about 11.0 wet weight percent crude fiber selected from the group consisting of fruit skins, fruit core materials free of seeds and pits, and mixtures thereof effective to render the fruit puree resistant to thermal set; (3) while maintaining the total sugar content of the puree at not more than about 80.0 percent and the ratio of the total sugar content to insoluble solids within the range of from about 5.0:1.0 to about 13.0:1.10; and (4) drying the fruit puree in the form of free-flowing flakes having resistance to thermal set.

Abstract: Process for treating relatively light colored dates grown domestically to impart thereto the relatively darker appearance, the flavor, the soft-chewy texture and the shelf-stability of imported dates grown in the Middle East region. The process involves applying to the domestic dates a coating of a liquefied composition containing water and an effective amount of at least one saccharide sugar sweetening agent. The saccharide-coated domestic dates are steamed at a temperature and for a period of time which are sufficient to darken the coated domestic dates throughout to substantially the same darkness as that of imported dates. The steamed, coated domestic dates are dried to provide shelf-stable, treated dates. The size and shape of the shelf-stable, treated dates are substantially the same as the size and shape of the starting domestic dates. Domestic dates are generally of the sucrose-type dates, whereas the imported dates are generally of the inverted-sugar type dates.

Abstract: This invention is for a process for production of flour from Jerusalem artichoke tubers. The tubers are reduced to particles having an average surface to volume ratio of not less than about 25 cm.sup.2 to 1 cm.sup.3 and the particles are exposed to water acidified to a pH of not greater than about 4. Thereafter the particles are subjected to a series of pressings at increasing pressures ending in a final pressing at a pressure of not less than about 6 atmospheres, gauge wherein between each pressing the pressure is relaxed and the particles loosened. The particles are washed with water at least once after exposure to the acidified water and prior to the final pressing. After the final pressing the particles are dried at a temperature not exceeding about 200.degree. F. to a mositure content not greater than about 13%. The dried particles are then ground to a flour.

Abstract: A method for producing dry sweetened, wafer-thin sliced fruit or vegetable products by exposing only one surface of the slices to an aqueous solution containing a carbohydrate, an anti-browning agent, and an acid and drying in monolayers. The acidity of the finished product may be adjusted so that products appealing to sweet-loving palates or tart-loving palates may be easily produced. The aqueous solution may advantageously be sprayed on the upper surface of the sliced fruit or vegetable, rather than by soaking or steeping the slices, so that the slices maintain their structural integrity and the application of the solution is not a rate-limiting factor.

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: The invention relates to a process for producing a non-caloric citrus albedo bulking agent comprising obtaining albedo from citrus peels to produce albedo particles substantially free of flavedo, water-washing to reduce soluble carbohydrates, constituents, removing alcohol and water, and bitter constituents, removing alcohol and water, and finally milling to the consistency of flour. The citrus albedo bulking agent obtained from this process is especially useful as a partial replacement for high-caloric ingredients such as flour, fat and/or sugar in a food product with at least a one-third reduction in caloric density, more preferably from 50% to 75% or higher. The citrus albedo bulking agent has a water binding capacity of from 10 to 20 grams of water per one gram of the albedo bulking agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel heat-treated tea. The heat-treated tea is obtained by placing green tea leaves in a tea drier, supplying the drier with dry air heated externally to 200.degree. to 300.degree. C. and heating the drier from outside to heat the tea leaves to 200.degree. to 300.degree. C. for 20 to 60 minutes. The tea obtained is brown in color and can be served by brewing in hot water as is done with the traditional green or roasted tea. It has special flavor and aroma different from the traditional teas. The extract of said heat-treated tea is effective in disinfection or preventing hung-over or stiff shoulder. Additional of said extract to wheat flour for making noodles and breads will improve the taste and quality of the product.

Abstract: Disclosed are simulated, puffed dried fruit pieces and methods for their preparation. The dried fruit pieces are useful for incorporation into ready-to-eat cereals of low water activity, e.g., A.sub.w of 0.1 to 0.3, such as puffed cereals. The dried fruit pieces are characterized by a low density ranging from 0.15 to 0.40 g./cc. due in part to a hollow center and thus do not settle during distribution and storage, and do not sink in milk. The dried fruit pieces are prepared by drying in prescribed manner pieces comprising encapsulated solutions containing hydrophilic colloids set with gelling agents.

Abstract: A crisp apple wafer-shaped snack is made from apples which are thinly sliced, exposing the seeds. The seeds are removed by washing, the slices are treated to prevent browning and are steeped in a sugar solution. Then the slices are rapidly dried, in thirty minutes or less, to form a crisp delicious snack which may include the apple peel as well as the carpels in which the seeds were contained.

Abstract: A process for drying and/or preserving fruit, comprising:dehydrating fruit at a temperature of 55.degree. to 80.degree. C. for a period of about 16 hours until the water content of the fruit is about 40%;packing the so-dehydrated fruit into sterile containers, so as to minimize the amount of air in said containers, and hermetically sealing said containers;maintaining the hermetically sealed containers at a temperature of 75.degree. to 80.degree. C. for three to four hours;and then storing the containers at room temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a non-caloric sugar beet pulp bulking agent comprising placing sugar beet pulp slices, particles or spent cossettes into a stabilizing solution to prevent darkening, water-washing to remove a majority of soluble carbohydrates, contacting with an alcoholic solution to remove color and bitter constituents, removing water and alcohol and milling to a flour consistency. The sugar beet pulp bulking agent is especially useful as a partial replacement for high-caloric ingredients such as flour, fat and/or sugar in a food product with at least a one-third reduction in caloric density, more preferably from 50% to 75% or higher. The sugar beet pulp bulking agent has a high water binding capacity of from 15 to 25 grams of water per 1 gram of bulking agent.

Abstract: A shelf stable, intermediate moisture, food bar having a soft and chewy texture with good taste is disclosed. Lowered sugar content and good texture and taste characteristics are maintained through the use of a combination of at least two polyhydric alcohols in varying ratios, one of which comprises a sugar alcohol and the other either glycerol or propylene glycol. In preferred embodiments the two polyhydric alcohols are glycerol and sorbitol employed in a ratio of glycerol to sorbitol in the range 1:1 to 5:1. Despite a low total sugar content the water activity may be maintained in the 0.2-0.55 range through the use of such polyhydric alcohols while achieving a soft texture.

Abstract: Dehydrated vegetable products having relatively high moisture content and high stability are produced by dehydrating vegetables to the extent where 20-85% of the moisture has been removed; adding to the partially dehydrated vegetables a predetermined volume of a solution containing a known quantity of at least one water activity-controlling solute, the quantity of the solution being such that it is totally absorbed by the vegetables; and the vegetables are then dehydrated to a predetermined final level of moisture and/or water activity. Highly stable vegetable products having salt contents of 3-15%, sugar contents of 0-15% and moisture contents of 6-25%, with a water activity preferably in the range of 0.45-0.85 at 20.degree. C. can be produced.

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 is provided whereby significantly improved drying rates are obtained in the production of raisins. The process involves treating the grapes with a hot aqueous solution containing a lower alkyl ester of a fatty acid and alkali metal carbonate prior to the drying operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a pineapple core bulking agent comprising coarsely grinding or slicing pineapple core to obtain particles or slices of 1/4 inch or less, water-washing to remove soluble carbohydrates, contacting with alcohol to remove colors and flavor constituents, removing water and alcohol, and finally milling to the consistency of flour. The pineapple core bulking agent obtained from this process is especially useful as a partial replacement for high-caloric ingredients such as flour, fat and/or sugar to prepare a food product with at least a one-third reduction in calories, more preferably from 50% to 75% or higher. The pineapple core bulking agent has a high water binding capacity of from 10 to 30 grams of water per 1 gram of pineapple core bulking agent.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and process for making same are provided wherein fresh fruit or mixtures thereof is made into a puree by heating, pulping and finishing same in a manner which preserves the fruit's natural integrity, and then the pulped and finished puree is drum dried, flaked and packaged under controlled atmospheric conditions to produce a free flowing flaked fruit product which is readily reconstitutable, and does not contain any binders, gelling agents, fillers, extenders, or other undesirable additives.

Abstract: A process of drying an intact whole grape having substantially the same configuration as the fresh grape is described. The dried grape has a moisture content (wet basis) of below about 10% and varies from crisp to chewy depending on the time and temperature of drying. The critical step in the process is drying in a vacuum chamber. Preferably the heating medium is microwave energy applied to the grapes in the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A process for producing dried bean powder which is instantly reconstitutable with water to form a product having the flavor, color and texture of conventional refried beans. The dried bean powder contains a major proportion of finely divided cooked bean particles and an appreciable quantity of larger size cooked bean skin particulate which provides the reconstituted product with a texture typical of refried beans. In the production of this product, raw beans are blanched in hot water to hydrate the beans, and the hydrated beans and blanch water are cooked under pressure in a suitable pressure cooker. Upon completion of cooking, the beans and water, which are under relatively high pressures and temperatures in the pressure cooker, are discharged from the cooker into a container at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure to provide an almost instantaneous release of pressure on the cooked beans.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preserving hops from oxidation. Hops are often required to be stored for long periods and are therefore subject to deterioration due to oxidation. The method of this invention overcomes this problem by adding ascorbic acid to the hops. The ascorbic acid is oxidized in preference to the hops and therefore prevents the hops from being oxidized.The introduction of ascorbic acid powder during the hops pelletizing process and immediately after the hammermilling steps also prevents the loss of valuable hop constituents which naturally occurs during the pelletizing process.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating vegetables comprises first comminuting whole, uncooked vegetables to produce a puree. By passing the puree through a first-stage finishing step, and a second-stage finishing step having a finer screen size than the first stage, a puree substantially free from hardened vegetable particles is obtained. The puree may be dried by a variety of techniques to obtain a dehydrated product which, when reconstituted, displays a particularly smooth texture.

Abstract: A method for producing agglomerated products from garlic powder, onion powder, or mixtures thereof. The method includes the use of upright apparatus suitable for co-mingling free-falling, dry powder materials with atomized water, drying the agglomerated particles with hot air and operating at an air pressure slightly below atmospheric.

Abstract: Dehydrated onion products can be prepared using a wide variety of drying conditions without pinking of the onions by treating the onions with an effective amount of base before or during the initial stages of drying.

Abstract: A process for preparing dried grapes which are further processed to remain desireably soft with minimal color, flavor, or textural changes over extended periods of time. The process combines the use of enzyme inactivation and a hydrophillic carbohydrate infusion into fresh grapes, followed by drying the grapes to a moisture content of less than 30%. The dry grapes are then converted into simulated raisins by storing the dry grapes for a period of time under controlled humidity and at an elevated temperature effective to provide a darkening in color and to develop a natural raisin-like flavor within the grapes without further drying of the grapes.

Abstract: A dried infused celery which has extended storage stability and which upon rehydration possesses the taste, color, texture and appearance of fresh celery is prepared by soaking fresh celery pieces in a solution containing either lactose, glucose, a glucose syrup with a DE of 30 to 60 or derivatives thereof, the solution having a pH of 6.5 to 9 and maintained at a temperature of 120.degree. F. (48.degree. C.) to less than 220.degree. F. (105.degree. C.) and at a soaking concentration and period of time to infuse the celery pieces with from 55 to 85% sugar solids, followed by draining then drying the infused celery pieces.

Abstract: A process for producing a natural fruit candy by mixing enzyme deactivated dehydrated fruit and enzyme deactivated fruit juice concentrate to provide a mixture in the form of a plastic mass having a moisture content in the range of 8 to 50% by weight the relative proportion of dehydrated fruit and fruit juice concentrate being limited only by the need to achieve a moisture content in the plastic mass which falls within the required range. The plastic mass is then formed to the required product configuration.

Abstract: Dehydrating method for a root vegetable such as a radish, carrot, turnip and the like of which the root is used for food, by providing openings inside a portion of a root vegetable prior to application of a conventional dehydration process wherein moisture included deep inside a portion of a root vegetable can be dehydrated suitably without spoiling of flavor, efficacy ingredients or beauty of the surface.

Abstract: A method for producing dry fruit chips in which starting fruit chips having an adjusted water soluble sugar concentration are freeze-dried to reduce the moisture content to a predetermined moisture content range, the freeze-dried fruit chips are microwave-dried to further reduce the moisture content to a second predetermined range and the microwave-dried fruit chips are vacuum-dried to still further reduce the moisture content to a range suitable for ready eating as snack fruit.

Abstract: A crystallized sugar product containing a food ingredient is prepared by concentrating a sugar syrup at a temperature in the range of about 250.degree. F. to about 300.degree. F. to a solids content of about 90 to 98% by weight, the sugar syrup containing no more than about 20% by weight non-sucrose solids, admixing the concentrated sugar syrup with a predetermined amount of the food ingredient, subjecting the admixture to impact bearing within a crystallization zone until a crystallized sugar product made up of aggregates of fondant-size sucrose crystals and the food ingredient is formed, the crystallized sugar product having a moisture content of less than 2.5% by weight, and recovering the crystallized sugar product from the crystallization zone. The resulting sugar product is dry, granular, free-flowing, non-caking, and readily dispersible in water.

Abstract: A method of producing a nutritionally dense, freeze dried food item usually n bar form in which uncooked food ingredients are mixed together and then cooked until about 40% to about 60% of the water content is removed by evaporation. Then the partially dried mixture is formed into the desired shape, then frozen and dehydrated to a moisture level which would produce a shelf-stable product. The freeze dried bars are packaged in impermeable containers. Food bars prepared by this method rehydrate faster and to a greater extent than food bars prepared by processes incorporating a compression step.