The invention relates to a method for producing a viscous food preparation from a natural fruit and/or vegetable powder. The method comprises a step (E4) of adding a quantity of water to said natural fruit and/or vegetable powder in order to produce a natural viscous fruit and/or vegetable food preparation, a step (E5) of pasteurising the natural viscous fruit and/or vegetable food preparation thus produced, and a step (E6) of packaging the pasteurised viscous food preparation in a sealed food container.

The invention relates to a method for producing a viscous food preparation from a natural fruit and/or vegetable powder. The method comprises a step (E4) of adding a quantity of water to said natural fruit and/or vegetable powder in order to produce a natural viscous fruit and/or vegetable food preparation, a step (E5) of pasteurising the natural viscous fruit and/or vegetable food preparation thus produced, and a step (E6) of packaging the pasteurised viscous food preparation in a sealed food container.

An optimized package for holding a perishable produce that balances between optimum aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The package has a body, formed of a package film having a first size and shape, formed with laser micro perforations formed according to a relationship between a shelf life of said first contents in said package for different oxygen transfer rates expressed as volume of oxygen per time period per package per atmosphere. This is set to optimize between anaerobic conditions and aerobic conditions. There are a number and size of micro perforations, to obtain an optimum oxygen transfer rate. The micro perforations can be formed in a location of the package which retains airflow through the micro perforations when multiple of said packages are stacked. There can also be a humidity reduction device, which can be a valve, or a vapor transmitting film, or a hydroscopic salt on the exterior of the film.

The present invention provides a food product comprising at least 1.5%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or more, by weight total ingredients of a low bitter chicory plant material or flour. The present invention also provides a method for obtaining a chicory product with reduced bitterness, comprising blanching chicory roots or root chips, drying the blanched chicory root chips, and optionally grinding the dried chicory root chips and incorporating it into flour, dough, or other food products. Also provided is a method for obtaining a chicory taproot with reduced bitterness, comprising cultivating a chicory plant at a soil nitrogen level of 150 lbs per acre or less in the upper 3 feet of the soil.

The present invention is an innovative method, process and mechanism utilizing infrared energy for the process to dry/dehydrate an oil reduced avocado paste or an oil retained avocado paste into dried/dehydrated avocado powders, flakes, or sheets, with no compromise in the nutritional value of the end food product. The present invention is economical, preserves the original color and nutritional content, provides a continuous drying/dehydrating process for the avocado paste, achieves a food product with a long shelf life and easily transportable.

The invention relates to a process for cleaning mushrooms intended for human consumption, that comprises the following steps:separation from the mushrooms of the soluble parts through the generation of an extract;cleaning the pulp of insoluble foreign elements;reconstructing by combining the pulp, removed of soluble elements and cleansed of insoluble elements, with the extract; wherein the step of cleaning the pulp takes place at least during and/or after the generation of the extract.

The invention relates to a process for cleaning mushrooms intended for human consumption, that comprises the following steps:separation from the mushrooms of the soluble parts through the generation of an extract;cleaning the pulp of insoluble foreign elements;reconstructing by combining the pulp, removed of soluble elements and cleansed of insoluble elements, with the extract; wherein the step of cleaning the pulp takes place at least during and/or after the generation of the extract.

A process for the application of a predetermined amount of oil to food pieces comprises: (a) providing or receiving a plurality of cut or shaped food pieces; (b) applying an oil-water emulsion to the food pieces for a time sufficient to provide a predetermined amount of oil to the food pieces and so that the food pieces have an initial moisture level after applying the oil-water emulsion; and (c) reducing the initial moisture level, in the absence of frying in oil, to a moisture level of from about 0.2 to about 80% by weight to provide a cooked food product, comprising said predetermined amount of oil, wherein step (c) does not comprises frying the food pieces in hot oil.

A banana crown cover is engageable to a banana bunch for extending the shelf life of the bananas in the banana bunch. An interior cavity of a body of the crown cover is surrounded by a sidewall of elastomer material. An annular ring, formed of elastomer material, forms a seal around said banana bunch when the crown of the banana bunch is positioned into the interior cavity and protects it from communication of gases to the crown, which cause ripening.

Thermoplastic polyolefin polymer compositions, polymer chips, fibers, woven or nonwoven fabrics, films, closures, and laminates include a polymer and cyclodextrin compound with a volatile maturation inhibitor or an olefinic ethylene receptor antagonist in respiring produce materials. The polymer composition can also include a cyclodextrin-modified polymer or a substituted cyclodextrin. Olefinic ethylene inhibitors can be formed in the cyclodextrin composition, wherein the cyclodextrin releases the olefinic inhibitor composition when used in produce packaging materials. Coating compositions can also be made. The inhibitor is introduced into the materials and is released under controlled conditions of humidity. Upon release, the olefinic inhibitor blocks ethylene receptor sites on proteins that control maturation and can produce an extended period during which the produce does not substantially complete maturation or ripening to a degree leading to spoilage.