A dairy-free, gluten free and vegan chocolate confection and method of making the same are disclosed. In the chocolate confection of the invention, the milk solids present in traditional milk chocolate are replaced by heat-treated legume flour. The heat-treated legume flour imparts desirable flavor and texture characteristics to the chocolate confection. The legume flours have relatively low levels of sugar and high levels of protein and fiber. They are also suitable for reduced-sugar chocolate formulations.

Materials and methods for producing chocolate replicas from individual components are provided herein.

Materials and methods for producing chocolate replicas from individual components are provided herein.

The current invention relates to a free-flowing cacao pulp powder obtainable from cacao pulp material, wherein said cacao pulp material is fresh cacao pulp, cacao pulp juice, cacao pulp concentrate or any mixture thereof, characterized by a moisture content less than 8 wt %, preferably less than 5 wt %, most preferably less than 3 wt %. The invention relates to a cacao pulp juice, obtainable from fresh cacao pulp substantially devoid from cacao pod husks and cacao beans, characterized by a Brix value of 10-35. The invention relates to a method for producing cacao pulp juice, from fresh cacao pulp substantially devoid from cacao pod husks and cacao beans. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for obtaining a free-flowing cacao pulp derived powder from cacao pulp material.

The invention relates to a chocolate confection having improved flavor attributes. The chocolate confection comprises a white confectionery ingredient, a cocoa extract, and a food acid.

The patent invention relates to a chocolate formulation with carob, with low caffeine and theobromine contents, animal milk-free, with or without added sugars, gluten-free, soy-free, with or without fiber, using cocoa and carob as the basis, alternatively supplemented with coconut fat, rice derivatives, powdered sweet potato and sugars having a low glycemic index, producing a food product with special nutritional features to meet the requirements of customers with dietary restrictions due to health problems or life style (low-fat or natural diets, body-builders, etc.) with color, odor and flavor attributes which are characteristic of products based on cocoa and carob.

The patent invention relates to a chocolate formulation with carob, with low caffeine and theobromine contents, animal milk-free, with or without added sugars, gluten-free, soy-free, with or without fiber, using cocoa and carob as the basis, alternatively supplemented with coconut fat, rice derivatives, powdered sweet potato and sugars having a low glycemic index, producing a food product with special nutritional features to meet the requirements of customers with dietary restrictions due to health problems or life style (low-fat or natural diets, body-builders, etc.) with color, odor and flavor attributes which are characteristic of products based on cocoa and carob.

The invention patent relates to improvements in the formulation of a product based on carob bean which can take various forms (solid tablets, bars, candies), yielding an alternative chocolate product with special nutritional characteristics to meet the requirements of consumers with food restrictions due to health problems or through their lifestyles or convictions, providing characteristic colour, odour and taste attributes, without using soy, milk (lactose-free and milk protein-free), caffeine, theobromine, with or without added sugar, gluten-free, with or without fibres, with low glycemic index sugars and without any allergenic ingredients.

The invention patent relates to improvements in the formulation of a product based on carob bean which can take various forms (solid tablets, bars, candies), yielding an alternative chocolate product with special nutritional characteristics to meet the requirements of consumers with food restrictions due to health problems or through their lifestyles or convictions, providing characteristic colour, odour and taste attributes, without using soy, milk (lactose-free and milk protein-free), caffeine, theobromine, with or without added sugar, gluten-free, with or without fibres, with low glycemic index sugars and without any allergenic ingredients.

A cocoa alternative or enhancer, made from roasted green banana flour, for use in a wide variety of food products. The cocoa alternative/enhancer can provide a variety of sensory attributes including aromas, flavors and textures that can be altered and controlled by careful manipulation of the roasting process.