Proposed are fermented plant proteins obtainable or obtained by the following steps (a) providing a plant protein source; (b) admixing the proteins from step (a) with water to obtain an aqueous protein phase; (c) admixing the aqueous protein phase from step (b) with microorganisms suitable for fermentation of proteins and/or with proteases; and (d) fermenting the aqueous protein phase from step (c) and optionally (e) inactivating and removing the microorganisms and/or enzymes and their use in vegan dairy substitutes.

This specification discloses high protein analog cheese having protein content greater than about 10% by weight. Such analog cheeses comprise pea starch and one more pulse protein isolate or pulse protein concentrate and have a firmness of greater than about 5000 g. Also, disclosed are methods of making analog cheese that avoid separation during processing. Such methods include applying reduced shear as the process progresses and heating a final mixture for a short time and at low speed.

Disclosed are dairy alternative food compositions comprising at least one fermentation-derived casein subunit. Also disclosed are methods of producing such food compositions. Further disclosed are uses of fermentation-derived casein subunit(s) in combination with plant-based protein(s) to improve the quality of dairy alternative products.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cheese alternative producing technique with which it is possible to add improved stretchability to a cheese alternative containing plant protein and starch. A stretchable cheese alternative producing method including a step for treating a material composition containing plant protein and starch with protease provides a cheese alternative having improved stretchability.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique for producing a cheese substitute by which improved stretchability can be imparted to a cheese substitute which contains a plant protein and 0.6 part by weight or more, per part by weight of the plant protein, of starch. A method for producing a stretching cheese substitute, said method comprising a step for treating a starting material composition, which contains a plant protein and 0.6 part by weight or more, per part by weight of the plant protein, of starch, with an enzyme preparation containing a protease optionally together with an amylase, wherein the enzyme preparation is used so as to give a starch gelatinization ability of the amylase of 8 U or less per gram of the starch, relative to 100,000 U of the protease activity of the protease per gram of the plant protein. The cheese substitute obtained by this method has improved stretchability.

The invention provides a gelled composition of mung bean protein comprising a mung bean protein and an alkali metal ion, wherein the gelled composition of mung bean protein comprises the alkali metal ion at 50 mM or greater based on the total amount of the gelled composition of mung bean protein.

A dairy analogue composition comprises up to 90% by weight of water; and from 1% by weight to 80% by weight of a fat composition; wherein the fat composition comprises an interesterified blend of non-tropical vegetable oil and fully hydrogenated non-tropical vegetable oil.

The invention provides an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a mixture of legume protein isolates and a vegetable fat, as well as fermented food products prepared by fermentation of said emulsion. The mixture of legume protein isolates comprises a first legume protein isolate having a solubility of the proteins of at least 25% and a second legume protein isolate having a solubility of the proteins of less than 20%, wherein the second legume protein isolate constitutes in the range of 20 to 70 wt % of the total first and second legume protein isolates.

This disclosure relates to a method for preparing a plant protein-based product, wherein the method comprises providing an aqueous slurry comprising plant protein, preferably chickpea protein, which can be obtained by high shear mixing the plant protein and water; subjecting the aqueous slurry to high pressure homogenization, wherein the step of high shear mixing is preferably repeated 2, 3, 4 or more times. The disclosure also relates to a plant protein-based product obtainable by the method.

A plant-based cheese product is provided. The plant-based cheese products have an appearance, cold texture, and melting characteristics similar to a dairy-based cheese. The cheese products include a plant-based protein, at least a first starch and a second starch, a fat component, and an acidulant. The first starch comprises a hydrophobic starch. The second starch comprises a modified starch. The fat component has a solid fat content in the range of 30% to about 60% at 50? F. and 0% to about 10% at 92? F. A flexibility enhancing agent may also be included.