A flavor modifier composition for a meat analog is provided. The flavor modifier composition includes a yeast extract; a fatty acid; peptide material having a molecular weight of from about 300 to about 10,000 daltons; and at least two free amino acids wherein at least one free amino acid is a sulfur containing amino acid.

A method of dehydrating and rehydrating mycelium includes growing fungal cells in a growth media such that the fungal cells produce a mycelium mass having a protein content of greater than 40 wt % of a dry mass of the mycelium mass. The method includes separating the mycelium mass from the growth media, compacting the mycelium mass, and dehydrating the compacted mycelium mass to produce a dehydrated mycelium mass having a moisture content in a range of 5 wt % to 60 wt % and a first hardness in a range of 0.007 kgf/mm.sup.2 to 0.018 kgf/mm.sup.2. The method includes rehydrating the dehydrated mycelium mass to form a rehydrated mycelium mass having a moisture content of greater than 60 wt % and a second hardness in a range of 0.00035 kgf/mm.sup.2 to 0.007 kgf/mm.sup.2.

Legume plant-based proteins, especially pea protein, are used as a primary source for twin-screw extrusion to manufacture an intermediate moisture, texturized protein piece that can be further processed by controlled hydration and coated with a batter, breading, or coating to produce a comestible product. Protein is the predominate ingredient (70-95%) in the extruded piece. In the preferred embodiment, the protein is pea powder and flavor is provided by addition of yeast extract to impart beef, chicken, or pork flavor. Additional components in the form of hydrophilic polymers and alkalai are also added prior to extrusion to insure desired texture and handling properties. The hydrophilic polymers impart functional properties such as water-binding, thereby aiding in foaming, emulsifying, texturizing, and gelation, important to manufacturing an intermediate moisture texturized plant-protein product by extrusion.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a konjak gel with a shrimp-like texture, a shrimp-like food using the konjak gel, and a dried, shrimp-like food that has a shrimp-like texture and can be easily reconstituted using, for instance, hot water. This solution involves a porous structure-containing konjak gel including the following features (A) to (G): (A) a glucomannan content of 3.5 to 12 wt %; (B) a moisture content of 70 to 90 wt %; (C) a gel long side of 7 to 20 mm; (D) a gel thickness of 0.5 to 1.5 mm; (E) a porosity of 9 to 17% as measured for pores of 100 μm.sup.2 or larger in a gel cross section; (F) a largest pore porosity of 3 to 6% in the gel cross section; and (G) the gel having undergone freeze denaturation. The problem is also solved by a method for producing a shrimp-like food containing the konjac gel and a substrate made of glucomannan, or a shrimp-like, vacuum-freeze-dried food containing the konjac gel and a substrate containing a pulverized konjak gel material or a substrate containing a puffing agent.

Systems and methods describe improvements in the automated production of meat analogues. Ingredients are provided, including oil, water, binding agent(s), and one or more forms of protein to be separately and continuously conveyed through a facility. Concurrently to the ingredients being conveyed through the facility, a number of actions occur. The system emulsifies the oil, water, and binding agent(s) within an emulsifying machine to form a final emulsion. A hydration process is separately applied to at least one of the forms of protein. The system mixes and conveys the protein(s) with the final emulsion in a final mixer to form a final dough.

Described herein is an edible formulation, suitable for vegans, that comprises edible fungal particles of a filamentous fungus and calcium ions.

An extrusion process is disclosed for turning vegetable protein compositions such as soy protein into a fibrous, meat-like structure. The process involves the application of relatively high moisture contents. An open structure is produced that can be infused with water so as to influence the product's tenderness. The products of the invention can be provided with a fibrosity and tenderness at will. The invention offers the possibility to include relatively high amounts of fat in the product.

A method of forming an edible meat substitute product includes growing fungal cells in a growth media such that the fungal cells produce a mycelium mass having a protein content of greater than 40 wt % of a dry mass of the mycelium mass. The method includes separating the mycelium mass from the growth media. The method includes disposing the mycelium mass on a base of a mold. The method includes applying a uniaxial pressure to the mycelium mass via a follower to produce a compacted mycelium mass having a moisture content in a range of 65 vol % to 85 vol % and having a shape corresponding to a shape of the mold. A plurality of fibers of the compacted mycelium mass are aligned in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the applied uniaxial pressure.

A method of processing an oil cake and/or extraction meal and/or a powder (P.1) from portions of seeds (S.1) containing oil such as mustard, crambe, sunflower, pumpkin seeds, hemp, linen, or rape is configured such that the material of the oil cake or powder (P.1) is subjected to a heating and to a texturing for forming a food (P.5) that contains fiber.

The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a formed meat analogue product, which preferably has a visual aspect of a marbled meat product.