In accordance with the teachings of the disclosure, a process is disclosed for pitting drupes. In some embodiments of a pitting process, the pitting machine uses a pitting knife that has a longitudinal passageway that extends axially through the pitting knife. The pitting machine has a steam source that provides pressurized steam to the passageway of the pitting knife. Prior to pitting the drupe, the pressurized steam flows through the passageway and onto a portion of a drupe positioned within a carrier in the pitting machine. The heat and pressure of the steam between the drupe and the cutting end of the cutting knife can soften a localized portion of the drupe so that the cutting knife can cut through the flesh of the drupe and eject the pit out of the opposite side of the drupe.

Embodiments described herein provide a shelf-stable plant-based foodstuff composition having organic chickpea flour, salt, organic beet flour and flavoring agents. Each ingredient of the composition, when mixed with a leavening agent act as a meat substitute, such as a substitute for ground beef which may be used in a variety of recipes.

Heart of palm may be harvested from palm trees as a source of food. The core of a heart of palm heart is more desirable than the base of the palm heart due to its more favorable characteristics, resulting in under-utilization and waste of the base. The base and core may be processed in ways that advantageously utilize the base and overcome differences in density and inherent taste properties between the two sections. In an example, the base is treated with a cleaning solution and pieces are formed from the base. In this example, the pieces are immersed in an acid solution and packaged in an oxygen-impermeable packaging medium. The resulting heart of palm base pieces have favorable taste and mouthfeel and the pieces derived from the base are indistinguishable from pieces derived from the core.

Heart of palm may be harvested from palm trees as a source of food. The core of a heart of palm heart is more desirable than the base of the palm heart due to its more favorable characteristics, resulting in under-utilization and waste of the base. The base and core may be processed in ways that advantageously utilize the base and overcome differences in density and inherent taste properties between the two sections. In an example, the base is treated with a cleaning solution and pieces are formed from the base. In this example, the pieces are immersed in an acid solution and packaged in an oxygen-impermeable packaging medium. The resulting heart of palm base pieces have favorable taste and mouthfeel and the pieces derived from the base are indistinguishable from pieces derived from the core.

An aspect of the present specification relates to a fermented fruit product that has an outstanding taste and flavor with a content of Ca2+ ions in an amount of 100 ppm or higher on the basis of the total weight thereof. The scope of the invention includes a composition including the same and a method thereof. In a particular embodiment, the fruit comprises an apple. The fermented fruit product has an outstanding taste and flavor and exhibits an excellent effect of enhancing the absorption of calcium into the body or through the skin.

The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 41-655 RZ. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 41-655 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 41-655 RZ.

The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 41-655 RZ. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 41-655 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 41-655 RZ.

A system and methods are provided for removal of undesired portions of a fruit or vegetable, such as removal of calyxes from strawberries before they are flash frozen. An automated process for high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a loading system, an identification system, and a removal system. The loading system is configured to transport the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The loading system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or arrangement. The identification system is configured to locate the calyx and determines calyx position data and an optimal cutting path for individual fruit. The removal system uses data received from the identification system to separate the calyx from the fruit or vegetable.

Methods for producing an activated pectin-containing biomass composition are provided. The method includes (A) mixing a starting pectin-containing biomass material having an insoluble fiber component and an insoluble protopectin component with an aqueous solution of an alcohol to form a mixture; (B) activating the starting pectin-containing biomass material to form an activated pectin-containing biomass material having the insoluble fiber component and a soluble pectin component by subjecting the starting pectin-containing biomass material to (i) an activating solution formed by adding acid to the mixture to adjust the pH of the mixture within the range from at or about 0.5 to at or about 2.5 and (ii) heat to a temperature greater than at or about 40 degrees Celsius; and (C) applying mechanical energy either (i) to the mixture of step A), (ii) during the activating of step B), or (iii) to the mixture of step A) and during the activating of step B); and (D) separating the activated pectin-containing biomass material from the mixture; wherein during the method the alcohol present in the mixture is at or greater than about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of the mixture. Activated pectin-containing biomass compositions are also provided.

A resealable spigot for a coconut that provides easy access by consumers to the sterile coconut water within a coconut includes a valve seat positioned within a coconut aperture and a plunger sleeve positioned within the valve seat. The plunger sleeve has a based positioned membrane that seals the coconut aperture, A plunger-stopper is tethered to the plunger sleeve for shipping and storage and is used by the consumer to pierce the plunger sleeve membrane to gain access to the coconut water. The plunger sleeve is also used to reseal the coconut aperture to preserve any remaining coconut water for future consumption. Further provided is an additional embodiment for a spigot comprising a conduit having a spike-tip on one end and a spout on the other with a through bore therebetween. The coconut having a partially inserted spigot is provided to the consumer whereby the consumer gains access to the sterile coconut water by pushing the partially inserted spigot to its seated position with a grommet provided as an insertion stop for the spigot. An optional air vent is provided to aid in fluid flow from the spigot.