Abstract:
The invention provides fruit-like products based on alginate or low-methoxy pectate gel which are spherical with two dimples spaced at opposite extremes of the sphere. These are prepared by extruding a sol through a cylindrical nozzle and at the same time extruding a gelling agent through a tube centrally located in the nozzle and co-terminous with it. The extrudate is cut off at the end of the nozzle below the surface of a bath of the gelling agent. The extrudate is allowed to gel by diffusion of calcium ions. The gelling agent is an aqueous solution containing calcium ions. The sol, which is an aqueous alginate or low-methoxy pectate sol, preferably contains dispersed fruit puree. Preferably the solution in the bath has a lower density than the density of the sol. In a preferred form of the invention equipment is used comprising a nozzle, a centrally spaced tube, a gelling bath and a perforated support surface in the bath for the gelling product.
Abstract:
Problems with incipiently gelling alginate or low-methoxy pectate sols in a bath of an aqueous solution containing calcium ions are reduced by having in the bath a perforated support surface which can be oscillated. The surface is preferably oscillated horizontally and vertically and preferably these oscillations are synchronised. Transport means to remove the product from the bath can be provided at one end of the bath. It is advantageous to ensure that at the beginning of the vertical oscillation the horizontal oscillation is in the direction of such transport means. Portions of the sol can be formed by extrusion either below or above the surface of the bath. The process is particularly useful for sols which have a sugar content greater than 10%. The invention also provides equipment comprising such a perforated support surface. Although the equipment is particularly useful for preparing alginate and low-methoxy pectate products it can also be used advantageously for other products which are formed in a bath and are susceptible to damage before they solidify adequately.
Abstract:
Thermally-inhibited starches and flours which are functionally equivalent to chemically-crosslinked starches are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of dehydrating a granular starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous (
Abstract:
A method for suspending inclusions in an acidic or alcoholic liquid composition is provided. The method includes the steps of preparing a pre-gel solution including gellan gum in water, providing a liquid composition having inclusions, incorporating the pre-gel solution into the liquid composition, and acidifying the liquid composition to produce a beverage and suspend the inclusions in the beverage. Alternatively, the liquid composition can be provided without inclusions and the inclusions may be added after the pre-gel solution is incorporated into the liquid composition to form a suspending solution or after the suspending solution is acidified to produce a beverage.
Abstract:
Thermally-inhibited starches and flours which are functionally equivalent to chemically-crosslinked starches are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of dehydrating a granular starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous (
Abstract:
A low fat coated dry fabricated fruit pieces are provided that simulate dried fruit pieces for use as a particulate additive in a Ready-To-Eat cereal. The coated fruit piece includes about 25% to 50% of a low moisture gelled center having high humectant levels and about 50% to 75% of a base coating comprising dried fruit material in particulate form and about 1% to 10% of thin film top coat. Methods for preparing such fabricated fruit pieces are provided comrising the steps of (A) forming a low moisture gelled center having high levels of humectant to form sticky gelled core pieces; (B) optionally coating the low moisture gelled center with dried particulate fruit to form a gelled center having a dried fruit particulate base coat; and (C) applying a final thin film coating comprising a sweetened aqueous dispersion of a film forming hydrophilic colloid.
Abstract:
A composite milk product is prepared by mixing into the semi-solid or solid milk product particles of a gel having a solids content of 2 to 14% and containing a major amount of xanthan and locust bean gums prepared to simulate the texture of gelatin.
Abstract:
Our invention is concerned with a process and equipment and the resulting product. The process and equipment produce simulated cylindrical olive products with a central core. An aqueous alginate or low-methoxy pectate sol containing dispersed olive flesh is co-extruded through a nozzle with a stream of an aqueous solution containing dissolved calcium ions flowing through an inner core of the nozzle at not more than +/−30° to the horizontal into a bath of an aqueous solution containing dissolved calcium ions. The sol of alginate or low-methoxy pectate gels by diffusion of the calcium ions from the co-extruded stream containing dissolved calcium ions and from the aqueous solution containing dissolved calcium ions in the bath. A cylindrical tube of gelled alginate or low-methoxy pectate containing pulped olive is formed with a hollow core. Preferably the sol contains a calcium salt in addition to the dispersed olive flesh which calcium salt has insufficient free ions to gel the sol but in acidic conditions is soluble and so then can gel the sol. A plurality of nozzles can advantageously be used. The density of the solution in the bath is preferably greater than the density of the extruded sol.
Abstract:
Problems with incipiently gelling alginate or low-methoxy pectate sols in a bath of an aqueous solution containing calcium ions are reduced by having in the bath a perforated support surface which can be oscillated. The surface is preferably oscillated horizontally and vertically and preferably these oscillations are synchronised. Transport means to remove the product from the bath can be provided at one end of the bath. It is advantageous to ensure that at the beginning of the vertical oscillation the horizontal oscillation is in the direction of such transport means. Portions of the sol can be formed by extrusion either below or above the surface of the bath. The process is particularly useful for sols which have a sugar content greater than 10%. The invention also provides equipment comprising such a perforated support surface. Although the equipment is particularly useful for preparing alginate and low-methoxy pectate products it can also be used advantageously for other products which are formed in a bath and are susceptible to damage before they solidify adequately.
Abstract:
Novel gel compositions having a sarcocarp-like texture and taste (mouth feelings): and foods having a sarcocarp-like texture with the use the same. These novel gel compositions comprise pectin, a divalent metal ion and water optionally together with negatively charged gelling agent. The above-described pectin contains at least one member selected from among pectinic acid and its salts and forms heat-stable particles having a diameter of at least 100 μm in the presence of water, or particles having an average diameter of 10 to 5000 μm in the presence of water and calcium ion.