Abstract:
The present invention is directed to cream cheese compositions in which the protein level is reduced to below 6.5 percent, and preferably between about 5 to about 6 percent, with acceptable baking properties. In order to obtain such a cream cheese composition with acceptable baking properties, a stabilizer composition is added to the low protein cream cheese. The stabilizer composition comprises a first stabilizer and a second stabilizer, wherein the first stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of carob gum and tara gum and the second stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, carrageenan, maltodextrin, pectin, inulin, starch, gelatin, and agar.
Abstract:
Premium quality intermediate moisture vegetables and methods for preparing such vegetables are provided. The premium quality intermediate moisture vegetables are prepared by (a) infusing vegetables with an antimicrobial infusion cocktail at a temperature of greater than about 50°F [about 10C] for about 15 to about 180 minutes, wherein the antimicrobial infusion cocktail comprises an aqueous solution of (1) a water-soluble, predominantly lower molecular weight, low sweetness carbohydrate, (2) a polyhydric alcohol, (3) salt, (4) a non-inorganic sweetness depressant agent, and (5) nisin-containing whey derived from a nisin-producing culture; (b) collecting the vegetables and removing excess antimicrobial infusion cocktail; (c) drying the collected vegetables to a water activity of about 0.5 to about 0.9 to form the intermediate moisture vegetables; and (d) packaging the intermediate moisture vegetables. After drying to a water activity of about 0.5 to about 0.9, the intermediate moisture vegetables of the present invention are shelf stable. For example, such intermediate moisture vegetables having a water activity of about 0.55 to about 0.65 are expected to be shelf stable for about twelve months under ambient conditions; intermediate moisture vegetables having a water activity of about 0.75 to about 0.85 are expected to be shelf stable for about 90 days under refrigeration conditions. When cooked, these intermediate moisture vegetables provide appearance, texture, and taste similar to that provided by high quality cooked frozen vegetables.
Abstract:
An electrodialysis system is used to produce electrodialyzed compositions with altered pH but without objectionable odor and taste. An aqueous solution is contacted with a membrane electrodialysis system and an electrical potential is applied in an amount effective for changing the pH of the aqueous solution by at least about 2.0 and for providing an electrodialyzed composition having a total cation or anion concentration of about 1.0N or less, and individual cation or anion concentration of about 0.6N of less, and a free chlorine content of about 2 ppm or less.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a cream cheese-like product where non-casein protein replaces casein protein and a method for making such product. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process which is effective for making a cream cheese-like product substantially free of casein, wherein the process comprises: mixing (1) proteins other than milk caseins, e.g. whey protein or soy protein, (2) fat such as butter fat or other food grade fat, and (3) water to form a mixture; subjecting the mixture to a first homogenization to form a protein matrix stabilized emulsion system; heating the protein matrix stabilized emulsion system to a temperature effective to denature the proteins to form a denatured protein matrix stabilized emulsion; adjusting the pH of the denatured protein matrix stabilized emulsion to about 4 to about 6; subjecting the pH-adjusted emulsion to a second homogenization to form the cream cheese-like product; and packaging the cream cheese-like product. Optional ingredients such as stabilizers (e.g., gums), other emulsifiers, salts, coloring, and flavorings can be added to the mixture or to the emulsion (i.e., prior to the first or the second homogenization step).
Abstract:
Low pH, high moisture, shelf stable food composition with reduced sourness and methods of making them are provided. The food composition is acidified with a low sourness acidulent having an acidifying power of at least about 0.005 mole/liter per gram of the acidulant at pH 4.0 in amount effective for providing a food composition having an Aw of about 0.90 or greater with a final pH of 5.0 or less, and particularly 4.2 or less. The low pH food composition particularly may contain total organic acids content of 0.22 moles per 1,000 grams of food composition or less, which aids in avoiding undue sourness. New or improved low pH, high-moisture shelf stable food components and products with reduced sourness, and their methods of preparation, are also provided, induding in one aspect an improved electrodialysis method and system for preparing ED compositions useful for food preparation.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a cream cheese-like product where non-casein protein replaces casein protein and a method for making such product. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process which is effective for making a cream cheese-like product substantially free of casein, wherein the process comprises: mixing (1) proteins other than milk caseins, (2) fat such as butter fat or other food grade fat, and (3) water to form a mixture; subjecting the mixture to a first homogenization to form a protein matrix stabilized emulsion system; heating the protein matrix stabilized emulsion system to a temperature effective to denature the proteins to form a denatured protein matrix stabilized emulsion; adjusting the pH of the denatured protein matrix stabilized emulsion to about 4 to about 6; subjecting the pH-adjusted emulsion to a second homogenization to form the cream cheese-like product; and packaging the cream cheese-like product. Optional ingredients such as stabilizers (e.g., gums), other emulsifiers, salts, coloring, and flavorings can be added to the mixture or to the emulsion (i.e., prior to the first or the second homogenization step).
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods for acidifying and preserving food compositions using electrodialyzed compositions. Food products are contacted with an amount of electrodialysis composition effective for lowering the pH of the food product while maintaining desirable organoleptic quality.