A novel method for freeze-related separations, involving the combination of water with a selected concentration of biogenic ice nucleation proteins, freezing the combination, and separating the ice, potentially via centrifugation or sublimation. In some instances, the freezing conditions and the concentration of the at least one biogenic ice nucleation protein are selected such that the aqueous solution, upon freezing, forms a lamellar ice crystal structure having at least one property selected from the group consisting of a solute inclusion volume at least 30% smaller than in the first material alone, a hydraulic diameter at least 30% larger than in the first material alone, an inclusion width that is less than 10% of a crystal dimension, a hydraulic diameter that is less more than 1.5 times that of an inclusion width, a deviation of crystal orientation angle in the transverse direction of less than 45 degrees, an ice crystal length in the transverse direction that is at least 10% larger than in the first material alone, and a length of the ice crystal structure in the longitudinal direction that is at least 10% larger than in the first material alone. The use of these structures result in a significant efficiency improvement and energy savings.

A novel method for freeze-related separations, involving the combination of water with a selected concentration of biogenic ice nucleation proteins, freezing the combination, and separating the ice, potentially via centrifugation or sublimation. In some instances, the freezing conditions and the concentration of the at least one biogenic ice nucleation protein are selected such that the aqueous solution, upon freezing, forms a lamellar ice crystal structure having at least one property selected from the group consisting of a solute inclusion volume at least 30% smaller than in the first material alone, a hydraulic diameter at least 30% larger than in the first material alone, an inclusion width that is less than 10% of a crystal dimension, a hydraulic diameter that is less more than 1.5 times that of an inclusion width, a deviation of crystal orientation angle in the transverse direction of less than 45 degrees, an ice crystal length in the transverse direction that is at least 10% larger than in the first material alone, and a length of the ice crystal structure in the longitudinal direction that is at least 10% larger than in the first material alone. The use of these structures result in a significant efficiency improvement and energy savings.

A beverage product including a mixture having a dissolved oxygen content of less than 500 parts per billion, the mixture including hops flavor, and water and no sweeteners and no calories. The beverage product has the hoppy flavor is infused from hops in the water 2-3 hours. The oxygen content is less than 100 parts per billion. The mixture is carbonated. An anaerobic environment in the mixture does not include alcohol. The beverage does not include yeast. A ratio of floral flavors to earthy flavors is increased as compared to longer infusion times.

A beverage product including a mixture having a dissolved oxygen content of less than 500 parts per billion, the mixture including hops flavor, and water and no sweeteners and no calories. The beverage product has the hoppy flavor is infused from hops in the water 2-3 hours. The oxygen content is less than 100 parts per billion. The mixture is carbonated. An anaerobic environment in the mixture does not include alcohol. The beverage does not include yeast. A ratio of floral flavors to earthy flavors is increased as compared to longer infusion times.

Aerated water comprising allulose and a method of preparing the same are disclosed.

A process prepares a beverage or beverage component. The process includes an enzymatic treatment of brewer's spent grain including addition of one or a combination of enzymes with alpha-amylase, gluco-amylase, cellulase, xylanase, protease and/or beta-glucanase activity and fermentation by a strain of lactic acid bacteria. The combination of enzymes and enzymatic treatment conditions is such that the lactic acid bacteria produce 4.5 g/L lactic acid and metabolise sugar such that the resulting fermented broth contains less than 2.5% w/w and preferably less than 0.5% w/w residual sugar or the lactic acid bacteria produce 4.5 g/L lactic acid and metabolise sugar such that the resulting fermented broth contains at least 2.5% w/w residual sugar.

A beverage product includes a mixture having a dissolved oxygen content of less than 500 parts per billion, the mixture including tea flavor, hops flavor, and water. The beverage product further includes a container holding the mixture, the container being sealed to prevent the introduction of dissolved oxygen, a headspace of the container including inert gas.

A beverage product includes a mixture having a dissolved oxygen content of less than 500 parts per billion, the mixture including tea flavor, hops flavor, and water. The beverage product further includes a container holding the mixture, the container being sealed to prevent the introduction of dissolved oxygen, a headspace of the container including inert gas.

A method for aseptic heating of a liquid product in a heat exchanger unit in a UHT system is described. The heat exchanger unit is a tubular heat exchanger, in which an indirect heat exchange on a wall takes place between the liquid product and a heating medium by a single heating medium flow with a heating medium inlet temperature flowing in a heat-releasing heating medium chamber between a heating medium inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger unit running countercurrent to a flowing single product flow guided in a heat-absorbing product chamber between a product input and output of the heat exchanger unit. A total heat exchanger path is formed between the product input and output, in which the product flow is heated from a product input temperature to a product output temperature. At least the product output temperature and the heating medium inlet temperature are monitored and regulated.

Systems for and methods of controlled liquid food or beverage product creation are provided. A method of producing a liquid product from a receptacle containing frozen liquid contents includes receiving the receptacle containing a frozen liquid contents in a dispenser, identifying a characteristic of the receptacle, the contents, and/or a desired product, melting at least a portion of the contents to generate the product by selectively heating the receptacle and/or the contents without adding liquid to the interior of the receptacle and/or supplying a liquid to the interior of the receptacle, wherein the selectively heating without adding liquid to the interior of the receptacle and/or suppling the liquid is based on the identified characteristic. The method also includes perforating the receptacle and dispensing the product from the receptacle.