The present invention relates to the field of food dehydration and production of snacks. In particular, the invention relates to a method for drying vegetables using microwaves in order to produce an improved dried product. The invention also relates to said dried vegetables and to the use thereof in the agro-food industry.

The present invention refers to a snack of the potato chips type, comprising at least one starchy material and macroparticles of at least one vegetable material, preferably selected among vegetables and fruits, wherein at least part of said macroparticles is visible to the naked eye and wherein said macroparticles are dispersed in said starchy material. The present invention further refers to a process for producing a snack, and to an unexpanded gelatinized product (pellet).

Disclosed in certain embodiments are systems and methods for prolonging the shelf life of produce. The following presents a simplified summary of various aspects of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure, nor delineate any scope of the particular embodiments of the disclosure or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

A strawberry dried product exhibiting high SOD enzyme activities and a preparation method therefor. The strawberry dried product maintains the maximum degree of the original shape, color, smell, and taste of fresh strawberries, that has nutrients such as vitamins, anthocyanin, and multiple amino acids, and exhibits high SOD enzyme activities. The drying method enhances the preserved freshness of fresh strawberries, and provides cooling the fresh strawberries in an average dropping temperature of 20° C. or more per minute to form amorphous ice, and sublimating the amorphous ice to obtain the strawberry dried product.

A resealable spigot for a coconut that provides easy access by consumers to the sterile coconut water within a coconut includes a valve seat positioned within a coconut aperture and a plunger sleeve positioned within the valve seat. The plunger sleeve has a based positioned membrane that seals the coconut aperture, A plunger-stopper is tethered to the plunger sleeve for shipping and storage and is used by the consumer to pierce the plunger sleeve membrane to gain access to the coconut water. The plunger sleeve is also used to reseal the coconut aperture to preserve any remaining coconut water for future consumption. Further provided is an additional embodiment for a spigot comprising a conduit having a spike-tip on one end and a spout on the other with a through bore therebetween. The coconut having a partially inserted spigot is provided to the consumer whereby the consumer gains access to the sterile coconut water by pushing the partially inserted spigot to its seated position with a grommet provided as an insertion stop for the spigot. An optional air vent is provided to aid in fluid flow from the spigot.

The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 41-342 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bl:1 to Bl:12, Bl:17, Bl:18, Bl:22, Bl:24, Bl:25, Bl:28-Bl:30, resistance to currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) biotype Nr:0, resistance to Lettuce Mosaic Virus (LMV) race LMV:1, as well as very thick mature leaves and a small head size. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 41-342 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 41-342 RZ.

The present specification provides fruit and vegetable products. Also described are methods for producing the fruit and vegetable products.

The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 81-52 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance against downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel) races B1:1 to B1:17, B1:21, B1:23 and CA-I to CA-VIII, currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribignisi) biotype Nr:0, corky root (Sphingomonas suberifaciens) race CA1, root aphids (Pemphigus bursarius) and Lettuce Mosaic Virus (LMV), as well as very slow bolting. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 81-52 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 81-52 RZ.

The present invention concerns a method for preparing dehydrated avocados, a method for preparing an unsaponifiable-rich avocado oil, a method for preparing an avocado cake rich in sugars and proteins, and a method for preparing an unsaponifiable fraction; these methods all comprising a step of drying avocado slices by means of microwaves until dehydrated avocados are obtained having residual moisture less than or equal to 5%; during this step, the water evaporated under the action of the microwaves being eliminated by a warm air stream with a temperature less than or equal to 80° C. and/or by air extraction.

The present specification provides fruit and vegetable products. Also described are methods for producing the fruit and vegetable products.