An isolated plant protein comprising both native and denatured proteins, food compositions containing such isolates, and methods for preparing isolated plant protein are disclosed. In some embodiments, the hardness and gel elasticity of the isolated plant protein can be controlled by controlling the amounts of native protein and denatured protein present in the plant protein isolate.

Systems and methods for preparing plant-based cheese comprise preparing a plant-based cheese mixture, transferring the plant-based to a heat exchanger, heat treating* and cooling the plant-based mixture, dynamically mixing additional ingredients, possible homogenizing the plant-based cheese mixture, and packaging the homogenized plant-based cheese product. In embodiments, heat treatment can occur between 85-95° C. and cooling occurs at 65-70° C. Homogenization can occur before or after heat treatment. A related cheese making apparatus is also disclosed.

Systems and methods for preparing plant-based cheese comprise preparing a plant-based cheese mixture, transferring the plant-based to a heat exchanger, heat treating* and cooling the plant-based mixture, dynamically mixing additional ingredients, possible homogenizing the plant-based cheese mixture, and packaging the homogenized plant-based cheese product. In embodiments, heat treatment can occur between 85-95° C. and cooling occurs at 65-70° C. Homogenization can occur before or after heat treatment. A related cheese making apparatus is also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to a non-soy, legume, protein material that is at least 50% dry weight non-soy, legume, protein; has a pH of about 4-8; and has a Nitrogen Solubility Index of greater than 40%. Preferably, the non-soy, legume, protein material of this disclosure additionally has a Protein Dispersability Index of greater than about 70%. Preferably, the non-soy, legume, protein material comprises at least 20% dry weight pea protein, meets USDA Organic Certification requirements, and is not genetically modified.

The present disclosure provides an automatic production line for manufacturing and processing plant protein meat, and belongs to the field of application of food equipment. The automatic production line for manufacturing and processing the plant protein meat comprises: an extrusion-expansion machine, plant protein meat raw material blocks, a bearing plate, a first manipulator, a storage rack, a first conveying device, a second manipulator, a second conveying device, a main console, a third conveying device, a shredding device, a seasoning adding and mixing device, a third manipulator, a recycling rack, a storage cabinet and a secondary console. The shredding device of the present disclosure shreds the plant protein meat raw material blocks by cooperative up-down staggered motion of double rows of clips, the plant protein meat raw material blocks in any shape can be shredded, and breakage of the raw material shreds in the shredding process can be avoided effectively; and by the seasoning adding and mixing device of the present disclosure, the shredded plant protein meat raw material blocks are added with seasonings and mixed with the seasonings. The present disclosure is simple in structure, facilitates manufacturing of the plant protein meat, and can efficiently produce and process the plant protein meat.

The present invention discloses novel exquisite VCF as well as the inventive methodology for its production. It involves the disruption of the structure of the natural vegan compatible raw material and creation of the VCF structure by sophisticated inventive processing taking advantage of relevant properties of vegan compatible raw material. VCF contain all nutrients and active ingredients of the vegan compatible raw materials used. The composition of such inventive nutrition is adaptable to common and personalized nutritional requirements.

The present invention discloses novel exquisite VCF as well as the inventive methodology for its production. It involves the disruption of the structure of the natural vegan compatible raw material and creation of the VCF structure by sophisticated inventive processing taking advantage of relevant properties of vegan compatible raw material. VCF contain all nutrients and active ingredients of the vegan compatible raw materials used. The composition of such inventive nutrition is adaptable to common and personalized nutritional requirements.

In variants, a food product can be made from protein assemblies having a higher-order protein structure formed from a plurality of protein oligomers. In an illustrative example, plant-based dairy analogs can be made from an emulsion of lipids and protein micelles, each including a higher-order structure formed from a plurality of protein oligomers, wherein each protein oligomer itself is formed from a set of protein units or chains.

The invention relates to a method for producing a firm, in particular vegan, gel food body, preferably a gel food block, made of plant proteins, the method having the following steps: a) providing a composition consisting of or comprising an aqueous plant protein concentrate solution b) aggregating the composition in a pressure vessel (2) by heating the composition to a maximum temperature, then cooling the composition to a cool temperature below 100° C. and below the peak start temperature (7) c) performing the heating and cooling at a counterpressure in the pressure vessel (2), which counterpressure acts on the composition and is above normal atmospheric pressure, in such a way that the composition is prevented from boiling.

The invention also relates to a gel food body and to the use of an aggregator (1).

A method for generating a non-dairy base mixture includes: treating a volume of water with a first set of ingredients soluble in the volume of water to form a first mixture; mixing a second set of ingredients at a first speed for a first duration into the first mixture to form a second mixture, the second set of ingredients including a protein-starch blend; hydrating the second set of ingredients in the second mixture with no shear; adding a third set of ingredients to the second mixture in a standard sequence to form a third mixture; pasteurizing the third mixture, within a first temperature range; blending an oil into the third mixture at a set rate, the third mixture within a second temperature range, to form an emulsion; and, homogenizing the emulsion, within a second temperature range, and over a second duration, to form a base mixture.