The present invention is related to the field of reddening of food products. In particular the present invention relates to the preservation or optimization of nitrate reductase activity of frozen and/or dried lactic acid bacteria cultures or Micrococcaceae cultures (particularly cultures comprising one or more species of Staphylococcus having nitrate reductase activity).

Provided is a method for producing fermented blood sausage having high antioxidant activity, comprising (1) preparing hemoglobin antioxidant peptide through Plastein reaction; (2) brining and primarily fermenting livestock or poultry meat; (3) deodoring and breaking livestock or poultry blood; (4) filling and secondary fermentation; (5) obtaining a finished product after drying. Compared with prior arts, the present disclosure uses Plastein reaction of blood to prepare a highly active antioxidant peptide, the fermented blood sausage has a total antioxidant capacity up to 6.89 U/mg protein, with an increase rate of 58%. The blood was deodorized, and total amount of free amino acids in secondary fermentation by lactic acid bacteria in combination with yeasts reached 12.74 mg/g, with an increase rate of 42%, providing the fermented blood sausage with better flavor and chewiness. The present disclosure also provides a new approach to comprehensive utilization of livestock or poultry blood resources.

A multifunctional natural food ingredient including a blend of natural smoke flavor rich in carbonyl compounds and buffered vinegar was developed which exhibited the ability to enhance organoleptic attributes of appearance, flavor and texture of cooked ready to eat meat products, control pathogens and aciduric psychrorophic microorganisms and extend shelf life.

A multifunctional natural food ingredient including a blend of natural smoke flavor rich in carbonyl compounds and buffered vinegar was developed which exhibited the ability to enhance organoleptic attributes of appearance, flavor and texture of cooked ready to eat meat products, control pathogens and aciduric psychrorophic microorganisms and extend shelf life.

Provided herein are compositions and processes for producing compositions from an algae to provide heme and a red or red-like color to edible compositions including ingredients and finished food products. Also provided are methods of growing heme-producing algae, methods of producing algae preparations therefrom and methods of making ingredients and food products with algae preparations. Also provided are compositions, including edible compositions that include heme and other nutrient components produced from algae.

An aqueous solution of a pulse protein product having a protein content of at least about 60 wt % (N×6.25) d.b. which is soluble in aqueous media at a pH of less than about 4.4 and heat stable at that pH range is adjusted in pH to a pH of about 6 to about 8. The resulting product is further processed by drying the product, recovering and drying any precipitated pulse protein material, heat treating and then drying the product, or heat treating the product and recovering and drying any precipitated pulse protein material.

An apparatus is provided for curing and more specifically for cold smoking meat or seafood with a blend of filtered smoke from an organic smoking material such as softwoods such as pine or tropical palms such as coconut wood or such as mixed wood sawdust from a sawmill, that are not traditionally used for smoking seafood or meat due to the harsh flavor imparted by their smoke, and unfiltered smoke from a second organic smoking material such as hardwood smoke, or other pleasant flavor-imparting smoke. The blending of filtered smoke from a first organic smoking material such as coniferous softwood, tropical palm wood or mixed sawdust from a sawmill with unfiltered pleasant flavor-imparting smoke from the second organic smoking material reduces the cost of the smoking and curing process and allows versatility in application in terms of preservative properties and flavor imparted to the cured meat or seafood.

Essentially carbohydrate-free, protein-based pizza crusts and methods for preparing the same are disclosed herein. The organoleptic properties of the disclosed pizza crusts preferably resemble the organoleptic properties of traditional baked goods and are substantially different from the organoleptic properties of traditional meat products. The disclosed pizza crusts comprise a meat or nut flour, a flavor-masking spice, salt, and a vegetable, fruit, or plant-based oil or an oil based spray. The disclosed pizza crusts preferably resemble traditional pizza crusts in both appearance and taste.

Disclosed herein are improved methods and compositions which more accurately replicate the characteristics that consumers value in the preparation and consumption of meat and which overcome the shortcomings and drawbacks of current meat substitutes.

Provided are food products that have structures, textures, and other properties comparable to those of animal meat, and that may therefore serve as substitutes for animal meat. Also provided are processes for production of such ground meat-like food products.