Food products prepared from whole grain oat flour having soluble components. The soluble whole oat flour maintains its standard of identity as whole grain and thus has the characteristics of whole grain oats. Aspects of the present invention relate to the use of the soluble oat flour in liquid food products such as beverages, semi-solid food products such as yogurt, and solid food products such as bakery items in order to provide enhanced health benefits.

A food composition and method of making is provided, the food composition comprising a soft food and at least one thickening agent, a polymerized edible matrix encapsulating the soft food and at least one thickening agent, wherein an outer surface of the soft food and at least one thickening agent substantially adheres to an inner surface of the polymerized edible matrix encapsulating the soft food and at least one thickening agent.

Methods of extraction of one or more polyphenolic compounds from pomace are described. The invention also provides uses of the extracts in the fortification of fruit juice, vegetable juice and foods, and as an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory and an antifungal.

Methods of extraction of one or more polyphenolic compounds from pomace are described. The invention also provides uses of the extracts in the fortification of fruit juice, vegetable juice and foods, and as an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory and an antifungal.

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 method for induction of a heat shock protein, anti-stress or regulation of an autonomic nerve comprises: administering a mammalian subject in need thereof a composition comprising an effective amount of hydroxymethylfurfural derivative of the following formula: ##STR00001## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of formula (I): ##STR00002##
(II): HOOCCH.sub.2COCO, (III): HOOCCH.sub.2CH.sub.2COCO, and (IV): a hydrogen atom.

A processed cauliflower mixture includes a plurality of cauliflower stem pieces cut from a cauliflower stem, a plurality of cauliflower crown pieces cut from a cauliflower crown, and packaging containing a mixture of the plurality of cauliflower stem pieces and the plurality of cauliflower crown pieces. The cauliflower stem is treated, prior to being cut into the plurality of cauliflower stem pieces, such that the cauliflower stem mimics the visual and tactile effects of the cauliflower crown.

Provided is a fermented food containing an extract of at least one plant material selected from the group consisting of turmeric, Houttuynia cordata Thunb., Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., rice bran, persimmon leaves, perilla, clove, cinnamon and Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Rosaceae) and bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium. The fermented food contains an excellent and novel material with which the viability of the bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium can be improved in storage of the product, and even when used in products such as beverages or foods, does not deteriorate the flavor of the product, thereby the bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium can be contained at high concentration which provides various physiological effects.

The present invention is concerned with providing refined plant isolates that can be used as starting materials for the production of functional food ingredients, such as taste enhancers, through an isolation process that employs ion exclusion chromatography. More particularly, the present invention provides a refined plant isolate comprising at least 30% by weight of dry matter of water soluble plant components selected from fructose, glucose, proteinaceous matter of plant origin, acids and potassium, said isolate further being characterized in that at a concentration of 40 Brix the isolate: contains at least 0.3 wt % of glutamate; contains at least 500 ppm of K.sup.+; contains less than 300 ppm of Ca.sup.2+; contains less than 700 ppm of Mg.sup.2+; contains less than 1 wt. % of components capable of passing an ultra filtration membrane having a molecular weight cut off of 250 kDa; wherein the concentration ratio ([Ca.sup.2+]+[Mg.sup.2+])/[K.sup.+] does not exceed 5:100, each of said cation concentrations being expressed in ppm.

A preservative composition includes a source of ascorbate or erythorbate ions, or a mixture thereof, a source of calcium ions and one or more food grade sequestrants, wherein the molar ratio of ascorbate or erythorbate ions, or a mixture thereof, to calcium ions is of from 0.5:1 to 1.4:1.