An ingredient-containing liquid seasoning packed in a hermetically sealed vessel includes ingredients and a seasoning liquid. The ingredients are swollen in the seasoning liquid, and a size of the swollen ingredients ranges from 3 to 60 mm. The ingredient-containing liquid seasoning includes 20 to 80% by mass of the swollen ingredients on a wet weight basis.

A method for making highly soluble Stevia sweetener compositions is described. The resulting sweetener compositions readily provide high concentration solutions, and also possess superior taste qualities. The compositions can be used as sweeteners, sweetness enhancers, and flavor enhancers in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

The invention relates to a hard bouillon tablet and to a process for the production of a hard bouillon tablet characterized that a beef fat having a total saturated fat content of 54 to 72 wt % (based on weight of total fat); and wherein the beef fat comprises at least 23.5 wt % (based on weight of total fat) of C18:0 and 25.5 to 33 wt % (based on weight of total fat) of C16:0.

A method for making highly soluble Stevia sweetener compositions is described. The resulting sweetener compositions readily provide high concentration solutions, and also possess superior taste qualities. The compositions can be used as sweeteners, sweetness enhancers, and flavor enhancers in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.

Pasta sauce includes spicy seasoning, edible fat and oil, and at least one of ethanol or acetic acid. The pasta sauce may include 0.125 to 5.0% by weight of the ethanol and/or 0.0045 to 0.45% by weight of the acetic acid. A method for producing pasta sauce includes preparing a mixture by adding at least one of ethanol or acetic acid to a material solution containing spicy seasoning and edible fat and oil, and sterilizing the mixture by heating at a temperature lower than 100 C.

A method for making highly soluble Stevia sweetener compositions is described. The resulting sweetener compositions readily provide high concentration solutions, and also possess superior taste qualities. The compositions can be used as sweeteners, sweetness enhancers, and flavor enhancers in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature. In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.

Disclosed herein are fermented food products and a method for producing fermented food products from a pulse. The method comprises the steps of cooking the pulse, wherein the pulse is provided in the form of flattened pulse fragments, and then fermenting the cooked flattened pulse fragments under conditions whereby the fermented food product is produced.

The present invention relates to the use of a compound according to formula (I)

##STR00001## in the form of any one of its stereoisomers or a mixture thereof, and wherein n is an integer from 0 to 2; the dotted line represents a carbon-carbon single or double bond; and each of R.sup.1 to R.sup.4, when taken independently from each other, represents a hydrogen atom or represents a R.sup.5 or OR.sup.5 group, R.sup.5 representing a C.sub.1 to C.sub.5, or even a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3, alkyl group; and optionally one of the groups R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 represents OH; and/or when R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are taken together, and/or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are taken together, represent a OCH.sub.2O group, provided said groups taken together are adjacent substituents of the phenyl group;
as an ingredient in combination with other ingredients to confer, enhance, improve or modify the kokumi or umami taste of a flavored article.