Process for producing coffee compositions that are derived from medium-and high-yield extracts while also having improved taste and aroma. Coffee compositions produced from such processes are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a method for the manufacture of a freeze-dried coffee powder, the method comprising: providing a coffee extract having from 40 wt % to 55 wt % solids; adding gas to the coffee extract in an amount of from 1 NL/kg to 5 NL/kg of coffee extract, to provide a gas-containing coffee extract at above atmospheric pressure; depressurising the gas-containing coffee extract to form a foamed coffee extract; cooling the foamed coffee extract to below −40° C. without shear, or with low shear, to form a frozen coffee extract, grinding the frozen coffee extract to a powder; and drying the powder, wherein the step of cooling the foamed coffee extract to below −40° C. comprises: (i) cooling the foamed coffee extract to a first temperature; (ii) cooling the foamed coffee extract from the first temperature to a second temperature lower than the first temperature; and (iii) cooling the foamed coffee extract from the second temperature to below −40° C., wherein the first temperature is 1° C. above a freezing point of the foamed coffee extract and wherein the second temperature is 3° C. below the freezing point, wherein step (ii) has a duration of from 5 to 90 minutes, preferably 10 to 60 minutes.

The present invention provides a method for the manufacture of a freeze-dried coffee powder, the method comprising: providing a coffee extract having from 40 wt % to 55 wt % solids; adding gas to the coffee extract in an amount of from 1 NL/kg to 5 NL/kg of coffee extract, to provide a gas-containing coffee extract at above atmospheric pressure; depressurising the gas-containing coffee extract to form a foamed coffee extract; cooling the foamed coffee extract to below −40° C. without shear, or with low shear, to form a frozen coffee extract, grinding the frozen coffee extract to a powder; and drying the powder, wherein the step of cooling the foamed coffee extract to below −40° C. comprises: (i) cooling the foamed coffee extract to a first temperature; (ii) cooling the foamed coffee extract from the first temperature to a second temperature lower than the first temperature; and (iii) cooling the foamed coffee extract from the second temperature to below −40° C., wherein the first temperature is 1° C. above a freezing point of the foamed coffee extract and wherein the second temperature is 3° C. below the freezing point, wherein step (ii) has a duration of from 5 to 90 minutes, preferably 10 to 60 minutes.

The present invention relates to a dried coffee powder obtainable by a process comprising membrane filtration of a low temperature extract of roasted and ground coffee beans to reduce the concentration of low molecular weight components and drying the filtered coffee extract.

The present invention relates to a dried coffee powder obtainable by a process comprising membrane filtration of a low temperature extract of roasted and ground coffee beans to reduce the concentration of low molecular weight components and drying the filtered coffee extract.

A highly caffeinated cocoa-based composition, comprising, a cocoa component comprising cocoa powder; a caffeinated component comprising caffeine, wherein the highly caffeinated cocoa-based composition comprises at least about 1% caffeine by weight; a fat component; a sweetening component, and a complexing component, wherein the complexing component is configured to reduce the bitterness of the caffeinated component, the cocoa component, or both.

The present invention provides a method for the manufacture of a freeze-dried coffee powder, the method comprising: providing a coffee extract having from 40 wt% to 55 wt% solids; adding gas to the coffee extract in an amount of from 1 NL/kg to 5 NL/kg of coffee extract, to provide a gas-containing coffee extract at above atmospheric pressure; depressurising the gas-containing coffee extract to form a foamed coffee extract; cooling the foamed coffee extract to below -40° C. without shear, or with low shear, to form a frozen coffee extract, grinding the frozen coffee extract to a powder; and drying the powder, wherein the step of cooling the foamed coffee extract to below -40° C. comprises: (i) cooling the foamed coffee extract to a first temperature; (ii) cooling the foamed coffee extract from the first temperature to a second temperature lower than the first temperature; and (iii) cooling the foamed coffee extract from the second temperature to below -40° C., wherein the first temperature is 1° C. above a freezing point of the foamed coffee extract and wherein the second temperature is 3° C. below the freezing point, wherein step (ii) has a duration of from 5 to 90 minutes, preferably 10 to 60 minutes.

The present invention provides a method for the manufacture of a freeze-dried coffee powder, the method comprising: providing a coffee extract having from 40 wt% to 55 wt% solids; adding gas to the coffee extract in an amount of from 1 NL/kg to 5 NL/kg of coffee extract, to provide a gas-containing coffee extract at above atmospheric pressure; depressurising the gas-containing coffee extract to form a foamed coffee extract; cooling the foamed coffee extract to below -40° C. without shear, or with low shear, to form a frozen coffee extract, grinding the frozen coffee extract to a powder; and drying the powder, wherein the step of cooling the foamed coffee extract to below -40° C. comprises: (i) cooling the foamed coffee extract to a first temperature; (ii) cooling the foamed coffee extract from the first temperature to a second temperature lower than the first temperature; and (iii) cooling the foamed coffee extract from the second temperature to below -40° C., wherein the first temperature is 1° C. above a freezing point of the foamed coffee extract and wherein the second temperature is 3° C. below the freezing point, wherein step (ii) has a duration of from 5 to 90 minutes, preferably 10 to 60 minutes.

The present invention relates to an instant coffee powder, wherein the powder has a closed porosity of 15% to 50%, or 20% to 35%, or 25% to 34%, or 30 to 34%, or about 30%; use of gas hydrates for producing an instant coffee powder; and a method of producing an instant coffee powder.

The present invention relates to an instant coffee powder, wherein the powder has a closed porosity of 15% to 50%, or 20% to 35%, or 25% to 34%, or 30 to 34%, or about 30%; use of gas hydrates for producing an instant coffee powder; and a method of producing an instant coffee powder.