A device and method for proportioning slices of fruit by slicing a piece of fruit into a number of slices using a endoskeletal slicing and coring device with twin-opposed coaxial upper and lower guide pins to positioning and holding the fruit, a coring tube for separating the fruit from the core, and a cassette for slicing the fruit and a proportioning device for separating the slices into a number of groups.

A process for isolating a taste-modifier component useful for food, beverage, nutraceutical, or pharmaceutical applications is disclosed. A pulverized fruit- or vegetable-based feedstock is combined with a natural, edible solvent to produce a heterogeneous mixture. A liquid phase isolated from this mixture is contacted with an acidic ion-exchange resin to sequester a basic taste-modifier component. The resin is then treated with a dilute aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide to elute the taste-modifier component. The taste-modifier component, which is further activated by mild heating, is combined with vitamins, flavors, and other food additives and is incorporated into aqueous, oil-based, or powder-based taste-modifier compositions that have improved efficacy compared with previously known taste-modifiers.

A puffed food composition having crispy texture, unlikely to stick to teeth, and exhibiting suppressed astringent taste is provided. The puffed food composition includes an edible plant, 3 mass % or more of insoluble dietary fibers, 5 mass % or more of starch, and 4 mass % or more of protein. The particle size d60 of particles in a dispersion liquid of the puffed food composition after disturbance is 0.3 to 1,000 μm, the maximum particle size of particles in a dispersion liquid of the puffed food composition before disturbance is 200 μm or more, and the minimum differential value is −100 kN/m.sup.2% or less.

A combination is provided comprising an ellagitannin composition, and an enzymatic composition comprising one or more ellagitannin enzymes, where the one or more ellagitannin enzymes comprise a tannin acyl hydrolase enzyme, a gallate decarboxylase enzyme, or a combination thereof. Methods of making and using combinations disclosed herein are also provided.

A combination is provided comprising an ellagitannin composition, and an enzymatic composition comprising one or more ellagitannin enzymes, where the one or more ellagitannin enzymes comprise a tannin acyl hydrolase enzyme, a gallate decarboxylase enzyme, or a combination thereof. Methods of making and using combinations disclosed herein are also provided.

A recipe industrially produces vegetable gnocchi, and, in particular, cauliflower gnocchi, and a production process thereof. Moreover, the gnocchi is obtained by the process in order to provide a food product that is nutritionally advantageous and easy to produce on an industrial level without any disadvantages.

Disclosed is a method to prepare a myceliated high-protein food product with increased digestibility, decreased phytic acid component, decreased oryzacystatin, and/or increased polyphenol content, which includes culturing a fungi an aqueous media which has a high level of plant protein, for example at least 20 g protein per 100 g dry weight with excipients, on a dry weight basis. The plant protein can include pea, rice and/or chickpea. The fungi can include comprises Lentinula spp., Agaricus spp., Pleurotus spp., Boletus spp., or Laetiporus spp. After culturing, the material is harvested by obtaining the myceliated high-protein food product via drying or concentrating. The resultant myceliated high-protein food product may have its taste, flavor, or aroma modulated, such as by increasing desirable flavors or tastes such as meaty, savory, umami, popcorn and/or by decreasing undesirable flavors such as bitterness, astringency or beaniness. Deflavoring and/or deodorizing as compared to non-myceliated control materials can also be observed. Also disclosed are myceliated high-protein food products made by e.g. the methods of the invention. Foods such as textured protein, dairy analogs, crisps, and the like may include the high protein food products disclosed.

A composition and method for supplementing food, nutrition, and diet systems with omega-6 to omega-3 balanced oils comprising a synergistic blend of at least two oils. The composition further comprises a synergistic blend of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids as a means to further increase the nutritional value. The composition provides an effective increase in therapeutic and pharmacological properties in nutrition, and retards the rate of oxidation thereof.

A stand-alone automated machine for the automatic blending of drinks. The machine will generally puree materials including fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables provided in large particulate sections or chunks within a cup which is available from a neighboring refrigerator or freezer unit. The blending machine can handle all aspects of drink blending as well as automatic cleaning, sanitization, and/or sterilization cycles.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of beverages, and relates to a probiotic fermented fruit and vegetable puree product. The probiotic fermented fruit and vegetable puree product is obtained by fermenting fruit and vegetable puree with Lactobacillus casei NCU215. The probiotic fermented fruit and vegetable pure provided by the present invention has the following characteristics: the probiotic fermented fruit and vegetable puree may generate a natural mellow sour, effectively remove an astringency in fruit and a wild artemisia flavor in vegetable, and neutralize an unpleasant sour in the fruit; with probiotic fermentation, the present invention may improve a content of amino acid in the fruit and vegetable by 20% or more, generate multiple aromatic substances, improve a flavor substance by 30% or more, and effectively improve a taste and a mouthfeel of the product; the present invention prolongs a shelf life of the product and prevents rot.