An object of the present invention is to improve flavor while masking various off-flavors in foods. (1) A masking flavorant containing: isovaleric acid and/or phenethyl alcohol; and lactones, and having a weight ratio (lactones)/(isovaleric acid and phenethyl alcohol) of 0.1 or more and 1000 or less. (2) The masking flavorant according to (1), in which at least one selected from the group consisting of the isovaleric acid, the phenethyl alcohol, and the lactones is a microbial fermentation product by (A) yeast and/or koji mold, or (B) yeast and/or koji mold and lactic acid bacteria. (3) A food containing the masking flavorant described in (1) or (2) and having a content of the lactones of 1 ppb or more on a weight basis. (4) The food according to (3), which is free of an animal-derived raw material.

An acid liquid seasoning includes at least acetic acid, an edible oil and fat, and water, and at least a part of the acid liquid seasoning includes an emulsified phase. In the acid liquid seasoning, the content of the acetic acid is 0.1% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of an aqueous phase, the content of the edible oil and fat is 10% by mass or more with respect to the total amount of the acid liquid seasoning, the edible oil and fat includes unroasted sesame oil, and the ratio of the content of the unroasted sesame oil in the acid liquid seasoning to the content of the acetic acid in the aqueous phase is 0.1 or more and 10 or less.

To provide an acidic liquid seasoning where a sour taste with an aqueous phase and a delicious taste with an oil phase are well balanced and these are felt in a well-differentiated manner. The present invention provides a packaged acidic liquid seasoning containing at least edible oil and fat, edible vinegar, a plant ground product, thickening polysaccharide, and water, and at least partially having an emulsified phase, wherein a content of egg yolk is 0% by mass or more and 0.001% by mass or less, the edible oil and fat contain flavor oil and/or an oil-soluble flavoring agent, a content of the edible oil and fat is 15% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less based on the total amount of the acidic liquid seasoning, a content of acetic acid is 0.3% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less based on the total amount of the acidic liquid seasoning, a viscosity of the acidic liquid seasoning at 25? C. is 1500 mPa.Math.s or more, and a half-value width of a mode size of oil droplets in the emulsified phase of the acidic liquid seasoning is 30.0 ?m or more and 60.0 ?m or less in a particle size distribution on a volume basis measured with a laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring apparatus in analysis conditions: non-sphericity and refractive index 1.6, particle size measurement range: 0.021 ?m or more and 2000 ?m or less, and particle size scale: 132 ch.

A technique for effectively imparting initial taste type kokumi to a food or drink is provided. By using a -glutamyl peptide, such as -Glu-Val-Gly, in combination with L-tartaric acid or adipic acid, initial taste type kokumi is imparted to a food or drink.

The invention relates to a particulate acidulant composition comprising 20-70 wt. % malic acid, 3-40 wt. % lactic acid and 0-40 wt. % of food acid selected from citric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid and acetic acid and combinations thereof, wherein the acidulant composition comprises: 40-90 wt. % of M-particles comprising co-crystal of malic acid and partially neutralized polycarboxylic acid selected from malic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid, and combinations thereof, said M-particles containing at least 30 wt. % malic acid and at least 30 wt. % of the partially neutralized polycarboxylic acid; 5-60 wt. % of L-particles comprising co-crystal of lactic acid and at least partially neutralized carboxylic acid selected from lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid, and combinations thereof, said L-particles containing at least 30 wt. % lactic acid and at least 30 wt. % of the at least partially neutralized polycarboxylic acid; and
wherein the combination of M-particles and L-particles constitutes at least 50 wt. % of the acidulant composition. The invention also relates to a particulate coating composition, to a method of preparing a food ingredient or a food product and to a confectionery product.

A food concentrate substantially free from water is provided with high amounts of non-gelatinised starch without the need for sorbitol such that after dilution a sufficient viscosity is obtained in the ready-to-eat product.

A food concentrate in the form of a paste is provided with high amounts of non-gelatinised starch without the need for sorbitol such that after dilution a sufficient viscosity is obtained in the ready-to-eat product.

A meat analogue having decreased off-flavour comprising non-animal protein, flavouring agent, lipid, dietary fiber, water whereby said meat analogue has a ratio (w/w) of K+ to Na+ of at least 1.3, and whereby food grade acid is present in an amount of at least 0.01 wt %, said food grade acid comprising citric acid.

The present invention provides masking compositions that include a lower alkyl carboxylic acid, e.g. acetic acid. Also provided is a masking composition that includes (a) a lower alkyl carboxylic acid (e.g. acetic acid), a warming sensate (e.g. vanillin or vanillyl butyl ether) and/or a cooling sensate (e.g. menthol or isopulegol).

The use of cyclohexanecarboxylic acids in a consumable to provide taste specific masking effect is provided.