The present invention is intended to provide chocolate being less susceptible to a change in process conditions and having remarkably excellent heat resistance and the method for manufacturing such chocolate. The present invention relates to chocolate having a sugar skeleton and containing the following (a) to (d): (a) 28 to 44 mass % of fats and oils; (b) 30 to 58 mass % of sucrose; (c) 1 to 20 mass % of lactose; and (d) 4 to 32 mass % of powdered milk.

The invention is a chocolate confectionery preparation method improving with good taste and texture, and chocolate confectionery. The method comprises steps of: molding chocolate balls; forming a first coating layer by coating the chocolate balls with a first coating solution, and sprinkling weak flour on the same; drying the first coating layer; forming a second coating layer by coating the first coating layer with a second coating solution, and mixing and sprinkling weak flour and pregelatinized starch; forming a third coating layer by coating the second coating layer with a third coating solution, and mixing and sprinkling weak flour and pregelatinized starch; forming a fourth coating layer by coating the third coating layer with the sugar liquor and sprinkling weak flour on the same; roasting a half-finished product having the fourth coating layer; and sweetening the roasted half-finished product.

The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of cocoa- or chocolate-based beverages with excellent, rich taste, favorable organoleptic properties and high contents of nutritionally beneficial components, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) adding water to cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; b) wet grinding said suspension; c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70° C. or less; d) separating the suspension into a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) and a solid phase, said fat phase comprising cocoa butter as a major component and solids and/or water as minor components and said solid phase comprising cocoa powder and water; e) separating at least cocoa powder from the solid phase, and a step of mixing the thus produced cocoa powder or chocolate products obtained therefrom with a water source to provide the cocoa- or chocolate-based beverage. In addition, related uses and products are disclosed, which include cocoa drinks, chocolate drinks and instant cocoa powder.

Spherical particles, agglomerates of spherical particles, methods of producing spherical particles, food suspensions and consumable masses which have spherical particles, and food products which contain a food suspension and/or a consumable mass are disclosed. The particles contain a matrix material composed of an amorphously solidified biopolymer, preferably having a dextrose equivalent greater than 20 and having an equilibrium water content preferably less than 10 wt %. The solid particles and/or liquid and/or gas volumes are embedded in the matrix material. The food suspension contains a substantially homogeneous carrier material in which spherical particles are embedded. A consumable mass comprises an agglomerate of particles where some of the particles are spherical particles. Use of embedded cocoa particles reduces the roughness of the cocoa particles and a flow point white eliminating the need for emulsifiers. This allows up to a 50% reduction of the fat phase and production of a low-calorie chocolate product.

Disclosed is a method for processing cocoa beans or nibs comprising the steps of: (a) adding water to cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; (b) wet grinding said suspension; (c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70° C. or less; (d) separating the suspension into: a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) comprising cocoa butter, and a solid phase comprising cocoa powder and fluid components; (e) continuously separating the fluid components from the solid phase obtained in step (d) to obtain cocoa aroma and cocoa powder by supplying a flow of said solid phase to a mixing device; wherein the mixing device comprises: a cylindrical, tubular body with a horizontal axis having an inlet opening for the solid phase, an outlet opening for the dried solid phase and an optional outlet opening for a vapor phase comprising cocoa aroma; end plates closing the tubular body at its opposite ends; a coaxial jacket heating or cooling the internal wall of the tubular body to a temperature of from 55° C. to 150° C.; and a bladed rotor, which is supported for rotation in the tubular body, its blades being arranged as a helix and oriented for centrifuging the solid phase and simultaneously transporting it towards the outlet opening.

The present application provides a system or kit for printing tempered chocolate. The system includes a first heated vessel for maintaining chocolate therein untempered, and a second heated vessel in fluid communication with the first heated vessel for maintaining chocolate therein within the range of about 84 degrees Fahrenheit and about 92 degrees Fahrenheit and tempered with about 0.5% to about 3% type V crystals. The system further includes a syringe pump configured to pump tempered chocolate and a nozzle. The system further includes a three-way valve for selectively coupling the syringe pump and the second vessel, or the nozzle and the syringe pump, in fluid communication to direct the tempered chocolate from the second vessel through the nozzle. The system further includes a control system for controlling the system such that the chocolate flowing from the nozzle includes greater than about 3% type V crystals.

A method for printing a three-dimensional crystalline structure such as a chocolate layer wherein, after printing, the material has a desired crystal structure. An embodiment can include printing a liquid first layer of material with a printer onto a second layer of material having a crystal structure. Subsequently, the printed liquid first layer is processed to solidify the first layer. During the processing of the printed liquid first layer, the second layer functions as a crystal seed layer through physical contact with the printed liquid first layer and the second layer crystallizes with the crystal structure.

The invention relates to small edible portions (i.e., bite-sized snacks) comprising a soft nut butter inner core coated with a crunchy grain-based outer coating. The bite-sized snacks have an equivalent spherical diameter of about 1 to 3 cm. Texture analysis of the bite-sized snacks determines that the bite-sized snacks have a soft texture with an average peak force in the range of about 800-5,000 g and an average positive area in the range of about 2,000-15,000 g*sec. The bite-sized snacks unexpected have both a soft and crunchy texture and are surprisingly shelf stable.

A device for extraction of a frozen liquid is provided including a tray having a first surface defining at least one cavity and a second surface opposite the first surface. A rod including a protrusion is positioned proximate the at least one cavity. The protrusion passes through the at least one cavity to extract the frozen liquid in response to rotation of the rod.

This application relates to the method of stuffing nuts with food substances, with or without the use of a sticky binder and the product thereof formed into bite-sized, open-faced or closed sandwich shapes. In certain embodiments, the stuffed nut snack food product is coated in sauce, candy, yogurt, nut butter, chocolate or combinations thereof.