Provided is means of powderizing a liquid component, wherein the powderizing agent contains an oil and/or fat composition, and when a total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, the oil and/or fat composition contains 65 to 99% by mass of one or more types of XXX-type triglycerides having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 and 35 to 1% by mass of one or more types of X2Y-type triglycerides each having a fatty acid residue Y with y carbon atoms in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride, x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 8 to 20, and y, the number of carbon atoms, is each independently an integer selected from x+2 to x+12 and satisfies y22.

Provided is means of thickening a liquid component, wherein the thickener contains an oil and/or fat composition, the oil and/or fat composition contains an oil and/or fat component containing one or more types of XXX-type triglycerides having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 of glycerin, x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 10 to 22, and the XXX-type triglyceride is contained at 50% by mass or more relative to a content of the oil and/or fat component being 100% by mass; or the thickener, wherein the oil and/or fat composition is a powder oil and/or fat composition having a loose bulk density of 0.05 to 0.6 g/cm.sup.3, the oil and/or fat component contains a 3-type oil and/or fat, and a particle of the powder oil and/or fat composition has a plate shape.

Provided is means of powderizing a liquid component, wherein the powderizing agent contains an oil and/or fat composition, the oil and/or fat composition contains an oil and/or fat component which contains one or more types of XXX-type triglycerides having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 of glycerin, x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 10 to 22, and the XXX-type triglyceride is contained at 50% by mass or more relative to a content of the oil and/or fat component being 100% by mass; or the powderizing agent, wherein the oil and/or fat composition is a powder oil and/or fat composition having a loose bulk density of 0.05 to 0.6 g/cm.sup.3, the oil and/or fat component contains a -type oil and/or fat, and a particle of the powder oil and/or fat composition has a plate shape.

Provided is means of thickening a liquid component, wherein the thickener contains an oil and/or fat composition, and when a total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, the oil and/or fat composition contains 65 to 99% by mass of one or more types of XXX-type triglycerides having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 and 35 to 1% by mass of one or more types of X2Y-type triglycerides each having a fatty acid residue Y with y carbon atoms in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride, x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 8 to 20, and y, the number of carbon atoms, is each independently an integer selected from x+2 to x+12 and satisfies y22.

Methods for separating lean and fat from beef or other meats and the separation apparatus are disclosed. The methods use microbiocidal fluids to reduce or eliminate possible sources of contamination.

A method for producing a seed suspension (SSP) is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of: providing an edible fat (EDF) being melted, feeding said edible fat (EDF) through a processing zone (PZ), and performing a crystallization step in said processing zone (PZ) to obtain said seed suspension (SSP) by subjecting said edible fat (EDF) to a cooling temperature (CT) below 30 degrees Celsius in said processing zone (PZ), and subjecting said edible fat (EDF) to shear stress in said processing zone (PZ), wherein the edible fat (EDF) comprises SatOSat-triglycerides in an amount of 20 99% by weight. Also, a method of producing a heat stable chocolate, a seed suspension, a confectionary product, and a seed suspension apparatus is disclosed.

Disclosed is a novel method of making a structuring agent for edible dispersions such as margarines or spreads. Fat, or another structuring component, is subjected to a process involving mixing it with liquefied gas or supercritical gas, and expanding the mixture through an orifice. In the invention, water is added to the mixture prior to expansion, so as to provide a spray liquid in the form of a fat and water emulsion.

Disclosed is a novel method of making a structuring agent for edible dispersions such as margarines or spreads. Fat, or another structuring component, is subjected to a process involving mixing it with liquefied gas or supercritical gas, and expanding the mixture through an orifice. In the invention, water is added to the mixture prior to expansion, so as to provide a spray liquid in the form of a fat and water emulsion.

Disclosed is a novel method of making a structuring agent for edible dispersions such as margarines or spreads. Fat, or another structuring component, is subjected to a process involving mixing it with liquefied gas or supercritical gas, and expanding the mixture through an orifice. In the invention, water is added to the mixture prior to expansion, so as to provide a spray liquid in the form of a fat and water emulsion.

Disclosed is a novel method of making a structuring agent for edible dispersions such as margarines or spreads. Fat, or another structuring component, is subjected to a process involving mixing it with liquefied gas or supercritical gas, and expanding the mixture through an orifice. In the invention, water is added to the mixture prior to expansion, so as to provide a spray liquid in the form of a fat and water emulsion.