Abstract:
A soft semi-moist composition, for example semi-moist extruded kibbles, is formulated to substantially maintain softness through storage in a blend with dry food compositions. Softness is maintained by hindering formation of protein-starch complexes during storage. In an embodiment, the soft semi-moist food composition comprises at least 0.5% of a free amino acid, such as glutamate, and the soft semi-moist composition has a pH at which the free amino acid is charged. In some embodiments, hydrolyzed animal or vegetable substrates are included to provide one or more free amino acids that are charged at the pH of the semi-moist food composition and maintain softness of the semi-moist food composition.
Abstract:
Meat emulsion products are produced that have a high meat content, for example more than 15 wt %, and also realistic fiber definition, for example linear strands of fiber-like material providing a realistic meat-like appearance. Such meat emulsion products can be made from a viscous dough containing one or more meat meals and humectants, the dough having a low moisture content, such as about 32% or less. Preferably the one or more meat meals are the only meat in the dough. The dough can be emulsified and then set in a high pressure heat exchanger, such as a heat exchanger formed by a first plate and a second plate that form a passage therebetween. The set meat emulsion can be re-sized to form diced chunks of the meat emulsion product. The diced chunks can be cooled and may be blended with a gravy or kibbles or packaged alone.
Abstract:
A food product can be formed by injecting a first edible material into an assembly and discharging, from the assembly, the first edible material as straight strands substantially parallel to each other and as helical strands that overlap the straight strands. The straight and helical strands of the first edible material form a lattice structure of the food product. A rotary extrusion die system and a method that provide the food product are also disclosed, as well as other food products and a rotary extrusion die system and a method that provide the other food products.