Provided are: a composition having an excellent anti-norovirus effect; use of a theaflavin compound for the preparation of the composition; and a method for preventing infection with a norovirus using a theaflavin compound. A theaflavin compound is used as an active ingredient for preventing infection with a norovirus. The theaflavin compound is preferably used together with an alcohol. The theaflavin compound is preferably one or more members selected from the group consisting of theaflavin, theaflavin-3-O-gallate, theaflavin-3′-O-gallate and theaflavin-3,3′-O-digallate that are derived from tea components.

Apparatus and systems for melting and liquefying chocolate. In one aspect, a system includes a generally fluid-tight exterior housing defining a first volume; a bulkhead positioned within the housing and dividing the first volume into separate second and third volumes; at least one vertical support member operationally connected to the exterior housing; a base support member operationally connected to the vertical support member; a dispenser guiding member disposed within the first volume and operationally connected to the exterior housing; and a heating element in thermal communication with the first volume, wherein energization heats the first volume to 37 to 46 degrees Celsius. Other aspects include where the liquid chocolate contains less than 3% water; where the liquid chocolate is solid at room temperature; a multiple pivot hinge; and a noninterfering interdigitating hinge.

The process can include mixing ingredients into a cocoa mass, conching the cocoa mass, and, subsequently to conching, measuring viscosity of the conched cocoa mass, contingent upon said viscosity being higher than a target viscosity value, calculating, based on the measured viscosity and reference data representing a reference model of viscosity vs. viscosity-reducing substance content for the chocolate to be produced, a quantity of cocoa butter to be added to the cocoa mass, and adding the quantity of cocoa butter to be added to the cocoa mass.

Methods for treating and preparing chocolate. In one aspect, a method includes heating a quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 46 degrees Celsius; decreasing the pressure of in a pressure-controllable environment to about 25 Torr; holding the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment at about 25 Torr for a first predetermined period of time; decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr; and holding the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment at about 5 Torr for a second predetermined period of time. Other aspects include ceasing heating the quantity of chocolate; decreasing pressure occurs at an average rate of about 150 Torr per minute; decreasing pressure occurs at an average rate of about 4 Torr per minute; and others.

A method of forming a food product includes substituting a pre-determined amount of added sugar of the food product with a bulk filler including a reduced-flavor cocoa product. The formed food product includes the bulk filler. A method of forming a milk chocolate composition includes mixing and grinding a cocoa composition including sugar, a milk powder, and a reduced-flavor cocoa product and conching the cocoa composition with a fat composition including cocoa butter to form the milk chocolate composition. A confectionery composition includes sugar, at least one fat source, and a bulk filler including a reduced-flavor cocoa product.

Systems and methods for preparing and dispensing food contents, typically molten chocolate. In one aspect, a method for treating chocolate includes placing a quantity of chocolate in a pressure-controllable environment; heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit; decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr; and holding the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment at about 5 Torr for a predetermined period of time. Additional steps may include decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr at an average rate of about 8 Torr per minute; heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit may occur at a rate of about 2 degrees Fahrenheit per minute; and/or heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit may occur at a rate of no more than 1 degree Fahrenheit per minute.

The method for preparing crumb used for producing chocolate comprises combining milk products, water and a mixture of sugar alcohols and edible fibers in a mixer, then heating the prepared mass to 60-80 C. at a pressure from 20 to 30 kPa for 60 minutes, holding for 15 minutes, cooling the prepared mass down to 60 C., drying at a pressure from 20 to 25 kPa and temperature of 60 C. for 30-35 minutes for achieving a moisture content from 0.5% to 5% wt %, and cooling for 60 minutes. The method for producing chocolate comprises mixing crumb and at least one component: cocoa products, butterfat, nut paste and filling fat, refining the produced mass, conching with the addition of at least one cocoa product and at least one emulsifier, tempering the produced mass, pouring the producing mass into molds. The composition of chocolate.

A method for the production of a product mass, in particular a chocolate mass, as a basic mass for foodstuffs, with a plurality of ingredients and a recipe total fat content, using a conching device with a conching container, which can be opened and closed hermetically sealed. The method includes filling of the conching container with a low-fat partial mass, which includes at least a part of the plurality of ingredients and has a fat content which is smaller than the recipe total fat content. Furthermore, the method includes a first conching of the low-fat partial mass with a closed conching container and second conching of the low-fat partial mass with an opened conching container with simultaneous active drying of the low-fat partial mass. Before the second conching, the method includes an addition of a further part of the plurality of ingredients to the low-fat partial mass until a fat content is reached in the range from approximately 11% to approximately 17%. The method also includes liquefaction of the partial mass while adding the rest of the plurality of ingredients and mixing the latter with the low-fat partial mass to form a total mass representing the product mass, which at least essentially includes the recipe total fat content.

A method for alleviating hair loss includes using a health supplement food prepared by mixing dried powders that include 5 to 15% by weight of black beans, 5 to 15% by weight of black sesame seeds, 5 to 15% by weight of corn, 5 to 15% by weight of adlay, 5 to 15% by weight of sorghum, 5 to 15% by weight of mulberry leaves, 5 to 15% by weight of mulberry fruits, 7 to 20% by weight of Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg, 5 to 15% by weight of dandelion, 1 to 10% by weight of licorice, 2 to 15% by weight of kelp, and 5 to 15% by weight of cactus based on solid content. The health supplement food may promote hair growth, alleviate and mitigate hair loss, regulate blood glucose, or alleviate and relieve gastric disorder symptoms.

Systems and methods for preparing and dispensing food contents, typically molten chocolate. In one aspect, a method for treating chocolate includes placing a quantity of chocolate in a pressure-controllable environment; heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit; decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr; and holding the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment at about 5 Torr for a predetermined period of time. Additional steps may include decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr at an average rate of about 8 Torr per minute; heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit may occur at a rate of about 2 degrees Fahrenheit per minute; and/or heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit may occur at a rate of no more than 1 degree Fahrenheit per minute.