The present technology provides a device, such as a food processor with interchangeable components to allow the device to serve as a juicer, pasta maker, slicer, grinder, and frozen dessert maker. The device driver receives components that attach to the outlet of the device driver via a screwed connection or other suitable connection. The device drives a central shaft connected to interchangeable components that mix pasta ingredients, drive an extrusion auger, drive a rotating slicer, or perform any other suitable functions. The components may extrude pasta, juiced pulp, frozen desserts, or ground meat. The components may receive food products and auger the food products via a tube or cylinder via a helical screwed surface of the auger. Other components drive a food slicer or a meat grinder. By changing the components connected to the drive motor of the device, five different food processing functions may be utilized.

The present technology provides a device, such as a food processor with interchangeable components to allow the device to serve as a juicer, pasta maker, slicer, grinder, and frozen dessert maker. The device driver receives components that attach to the outlet of the device driver via a screwed connection or other suitable connection. The device drives a central shaft connected to interchangeable components that mix pasta ingredients, drive an extrusion auger, drive a rotating slicer, or perform any other suitable functions. The components may extrude pasta, juiced pulp, frozen desserts, or ground meat. The components may receive food products and auger the food products via a tube or cylinder via a helical screwed surface of the auger. Other components drive a food slicer or a meat grinder. By changing the components connected to the drive motor of the device, five different food processing functions may be utilized.

An improved rotary head extruder incorporates an auger system comprising more than one auger to create asymmetrical, substantially cylindrical extruded products having a density within the range of about 3.0 to about 6.0 lbs./cu ft. A wide variety of fine particles such as flour and powder can be successfully introduced into and conveyed within a rotary head extruder to the die assembly, where the materials are cooked to form hard, dense extruded collets with randomly asymmetrical shapes. A transition piece at the downstream end of the augers allows for continuous, uniform flow to the die assembly, where cooking takes place. Using the equipment described, raw materials other than the typically used corn meal are produced, while maintaining the desired bulk density, texture, and crunch of random extruded products.

Cocoa or cinnamon is mixed at least one enzyme to form a mixture, and the mixture is combined with a cereal food composition. In one embodiment, the cereal food composition is extruded or otherwise formed into a plurality of cereal pieces after the mixture is combined with the food composition. In another embodiment, the mixture is coated onto cereal pieces formed from the food composition. Preferably, the at least one enzyme includes at least two carbohydrases, and can also include soluble fiber enzymes, and even one or more fat soluble enzymes. In each case, the at least one enzyme is deactivated, either during working of the cocoa or cinnamon after combining with the cereal food composition or prior to the mixture being combined with the cereal food composition.

Cocoa or cinnamon is mixed at least one enzyme to form a mixture, and the mixture is combined with a cereal food composition. In one embodiment, the cereal food composition is extruded or otherwise formed into a plurality of cereal pieces after the mixture is combined with the food composition. In another embodiment, the mixture is coated onto cereal pieces formed from the food composition. Preferably, the at least one enzyme includes at least two carbohydrases, and can also include soluble fiber enzymes, and even one or more fat soluble enzymes. In each case, the at least one enzyme is deactivated, either during working of the cocoa or cinnamon after combining with the cereal food composition or prior to the mixture being combined with the cereal food composition.

Provided herein is a method of flavouring a food comprising grinding a flavour bead onto a food or beverage prior to or contemporaneous with the use of the food or beverage, wherein the particle is in the form of an extruded, glassy bead, comprising a fibrous carrier composition encapsulating a flavour ingredient or composition active ingredient, characterised in that the bead has a cross-section diameter comprised between 3 mm and 15 mm. Further provided here is a flavour mill comprising the bead. The particle or bead comprises an encapsulating carrier composition essentially made of fibrous materials, which are both sugarless and non-cariogenic and an encapsulant, such as a flavour material.

Provided herein is a method of flavouring a food comprising grinding a flavour bead onto a food or beverage prior to or contemporaneous with the use of the food or beverage, wherein the particle is in the form of an extruded, glassy bead, comprising a fibrous carrier composition encapsulating a flavour ingredient or composition active ingredient, characterised in that the bead has a cross-section diameter comprised between 3 mm and 15 mm. Further provided here is a flavour mill comprising the bead. The particle or bead comprises an encapsulating carrier composition essentially made of fibrous materials, which are both sugarless and non-cariogenic and an encapsulant, such as a flavour material.

Shelf-stable, extruded food products are provided which are suitable for young children due to their fast-melting characteristic. The food products include at least an extruded cereal component with a crunchy but also soft texture. The cereal component includes soft flour, fiber, carbonate, and milk powder. The cereal component is also characterized by limited fat and sugar content. The extruded food products may optionally include one or more fillings. The extruded food products have a shelf life of at least about 6 months when stored at about 20° C. in sealed packaging.

A method for printing a three-dimensional crystalline structure such as a chocolate layer wherein, after printing, the material has a desired crystal structure. An embodiment can include printing a liquid first layer of material with a printer onto a second layer of material having a crystal structure. Subsequently, the printed liquid first layer is processed to solidify the first layer. During the processing of the printed liquid first layer, the second layer functions as a crystal seed layer through physical contact with the printed liquid first layer and the second layer crystallizes with the crystal structure.

A method for printing a three-dimensional crystalline structure such as a chocolate layer wherein, after printing, the material has a desired crystal structure. An embodiment can include printing a liquid first layer of material with a printer onto a second layer of material having a crystal structure. Subsequently, the printed liquid first layer is processed to solidify the first layer. During the processing of the printed liquid first layer, the second layer functions as a crystal seed layer through physical contact with the printed liquid first layer and the second layer crystallizes with the crystal structure.