The invention comprises various embodiments of processes by which cookable food product may be prepared and the consumable product that may be made through the uses of those processes. Advantageously, a food product may be made through the processes that is lower starch and more nutritious than food product made through conventional food processes. The system and methods may be used to make a cookable food product and a consumable food product from plantain or another type of starchy fruit or vegetable.

The invention comprises various embodiments of processes by which cookable food product may be prepared and the consumable product that may be made through the uses of those processes. Advantageously, a food product may be made through the processes that is lower starch and more nutritious than food product made through conventional food processes. The system and methods may be used to make a cookable food product and a consumable food product from plantain or another type of starchy fruit or vegetable.

A process for the application of a predetermined amount of oil to food pieces comprises: (a) providing or receiving a plurality of cut or shaped food pieces; (b) applying an oil-water emulsion to the food pieces for a time sufficient to provide a predetermined amount of oil to the food pieces and so that the food pieces have an initial moisture level after applying the oil-water emulsion; and (c) reducing the initial moisture level, in the absence of frying in oil, to a moisture level of from about 0.2 to about 80% by weight to provide a cooked food product, comprising said predetermined amount of oil, wherein step (c) does not comprises frying the food pieces in hot oil.

A process for the application of a predetermined amount of oil to food pieces comprises: (a) providing or receiving a plurality of cut or shaped food pieces; (b) applying an oil-water emulsion to the food pieces for a time sufficient to provide a predetermined amount of oil to the food pieces and so that the food pieces have an initial moisture level after applying the oil-water emulsion; and (c) reducing the initial moisture level, in the absence of frying in oil, to a moisture level of from about 0.2 to about 80% by weight to provide a cooked food product, comprising said predetermined amount of oil, wherein step (c) does not comprises frying the food pieces in hot oil.

A method of processing sugar beet and its varieties. It includes inactivation of the material against degradation by mixing sugar beet material with one or more alcohols selected from the group of alcohols containing one to four carbon atoms in the molecule and one hydroxyl group in such a ratio that the minimum alcohol concentration in the resulting liquid phase of the mixture is at least 60% by volume at a temperature from −15° C. to 180° C. The mixture of sugar beet and alcohol is maintained for 0 minutes to 600 minutes. The sugar beet roots before, during or after the inactivation step are disintegrated to a material of particles where at least one of the particle dimensions is less than or equal to 50 mm. The liquid phase is removed from the mixture to form a product with a dry-matter content of 40% by weight up to 99% by weight.

A method of processing sugar beet and its varieties. It includes inactivation of the material against degradation by mixing sugar beet material with one or more alcohols selected from the group of alcohols containing one to four carbon atoms in the molecule and one hydroxyl group in such a ratio that the minimum alcohol concentration in the resulting liquid phase of the mixture is at least 60% by volume at a temperature from −15° C. to 180° C. The mixture of sugar beet and alcohol is maintained for 0 minutes to 600 minutes. The sugar beet roots before, during or after the inactivation step are disintegrated to a material of particles where at least one of the particle dimensions is less than or equal to 50 mm. The liquid phase is removed from the mixture to form a product with a dry-matter content of 40% by weight up to 99% by weight.

The present invention relates to a method for processing ginseng at an ultra high pressure, and more particularly, to a method for processing ginseng that is capable of processing the ginseng, which is immersed and packed, at an ultra high pressure. The method for processing ginseng includes the steps of: preparing washed ginseng; liquid-packaging the ginseng into a pouch; and treating the liquid-packaged ginseng with ultra-high pressure at a pressure of 550 to 600 MPa for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

There is provided a method of preparing an edible paste comprising: mixing water; polyol(s), and root vegetable(s), to form a mixture; heating the mixture at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient period of time to form a paste. The method may be used to provide an edible paste consisting of: from 14 wt % to 92 wt % water; from 6 wt % to 39 wt % polyol(s); from 2 wt % to 30 wt % vegetable derived solids; and from 0 wt % to 20 wt % other edible constituents, wherein the vegetable derived solids:polyol(s) ratio is from 1:1.25 to 1:20. There are also provided mixtures for use in the method, pastes obtainable by the method, uses of the paste in the production of food products, and food products including the paste.

There is provided a method of preparing an edible paste comprising: mixing water; polyol(s), and root vegetable(s), to form a mixture; heating the mixture at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient period of time to form a paste. The method may be used to provide an edible paste consisting of: from 14 wt % to 92 wt % water; from 6 wt % to 39 wt % polyol(s); from 2 wt % to 30 wt % vegetable derived solids; and from 0 wt % to 20 wt % other edible constituents, wherein the vegetable derived solids:polyol(s) ratio is from 1:1.25 to 1:20. There are also provided mixtures for use in the method, pastes obtainable by the method, uses of the paste in the production of food products, and food products including the paste.

A baked food composition is provided that exhibits an unexpectedly loose, crunchy texture and multi-textural chew. The baked composition comprises a high amount of expanded inclusions and shredded root vegetable, which are agglomerated by a binder component comprising low amounts of oil, added sugar, and flour. The food composition is preferably free of hydrocolloid gums and sugar syrups.