An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a plant-based cheese-like food product with enhanced cheese-like umami similar to that of cheese made from an animal raw material. The method for producing a plant-based cheese-like food product includes applying a nuclease to a raw material containing a plant protein, and then acidifying the raw material.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a plant-based cheese-like food product with enhanced cheese-like umami similar to that of cheese made from an animal raw material. The method for producing a plant-based cheese-like food product includes applying a nuclease to a raw material containing a plant protein, and then acidifying the raw material.

Cultured plant-based cheese compositions are formed from a plant-based emulsion made from legume material, seed material, or a combination thereof; coagulated into curds using a coagulating agent; and combined with one or more microbial cultures and proteolytic enzymes, which serve to develop flavor and texture during aging. Whey is then driven from the curds using a mechanical process to exert pressure on the curds. The cultured plant-based cheese composition may further include plant fats; sugars that serve to support the growth and fermentation of the microbial cultures; other ingredients that contribute to flavor development such as citrate or citric acid; or any combination thereof. Further flavor development occurs during aging, where the curds are maintained at temperatures of 0-16° C. for up to two years or more. In preferred variations, the cultured plant-based cheese composition does not comprise nuts.

Cultured plant-based cheese compositions are formed from a plant-based emulsion made from legume material, seed material, or a combination thereof; coagulated into curds using a coagulating agent; and combined with one or more microbial cultures and proteolytic enzymes, which serve to develop flavor and texture during aging. Whey is then driven from the curds using a mechanical process to exert pressure on the curds. The cultured plant-based cheese composition may further include plant fats; sugars that serve to support the growth and fermentation of the microbial cultures; other ingredients that contribute to flavor development such as citrate or citric acid; or any combination thereof. Further flavor development occurs during aging, where the curds are maintained at temperatures of 0-16° C. for up to two years or more. In preferred variations, the cultured plant-based cheese composition does not comprise nuts.

A plant-based cheese product, particularly cream cheese type products, is provided herein. The plant-based cheese products are in the form of an emulsion comprising a plant-based protein, a stabilizer, a starch-based thickening agent, and a fat component. The plant-based cheese has a spreadable texture and opaque appearance at both refrigerated and elevated temperatures.

A plant-based cheese product is provided. The plant-based cheese products have an appearance, cold texture, and melting characteristics similar to a dairy-based cheese. The cheese products include a plant-based protein, at least a first starch and a second starch, a fat component, and an acidulant. The first starch comprises a hydrophobic starch. The second starch comprises a modified starch. The fat component has a solid fat content in the range of 30% to about 60% at 50° F. and 0% to about 10% at 92° F. A flexibility enhancing agent may also be included.

A plant-based cheese product is provided. The plant-based cheese products have an appearance, cold texture, and melting characteristics similar to a dairy-based cheese. The cheese products include a plant-based protein, at least a first starch and a second starch, a fat component, and an acidulant. The first starch comprises a hydrophobic starch. The second starch comprises a modified starch. The fat component has a solid fat content in the range of 30% to about 60% at 50° F. and 0% to about 10% at 92° F. A flexibility enhancing agent may also be included.

The present invention relates to the food field. The invention provides a method for preparing a plant protein comprising food product with an improved property, said method comprising incubating a solution comprising a plant protein with phytase (to obtain a phytase-treated solution) and optionally processing the phytase-treated solution into a food product comprising a plant protein.

A method of producing cheese-like fermented food from a soybean raw material, which has a flavor and texture similar to cheese, is provided as follows: A coagulation step S1 of coagulating a soybean raw material using at least one member selected from lactic acid bacteria, acids, and coagulants, a curd formation step S2 of separating whey from the coagulated product obtained in the coagulation step S1, thereby forming a curd, and a fermentation and aging step S3 of fermenting and aging the curd by a Koji mold are performed to produce a cheese-like fermented food containing, as an aroma component, 0.70 mg/g or more of isovaleric acid or 0.65 mg/g or more of isovaleric acid.

Described are methods and/or techniques for the production of culinary nut extracts, which simultaneously result in extracts and non-dairy products with favorable organoleptic properties, tasty appearance and high yields of nutritionally useful components, and which may be performed in a simple, rapid and cost-effective manner. In addition, the described methods are capable of processing in-shell culinary nuts to make effective use of the high contents of bioactive materials present in shell material. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for processing culinary nuts, comprising the steps of: a) adding water to culinary nuts to form a suspension; b) wet grinding said suspension in one or more steps to an average particle size of less than 100 μm; and c) separating the suspension into at least a solid phase comprising culinary nut solids and a liquid phase comprising culinary nut milk. Furthermore, a nut milk, edible nut-based products comprising the solid phase obtained by the aforementioned method or the nut milk, as well as nut oil extracts are disclosed.