The present invention addresses the problem of providing: an oil and fat composition which is for frozen dessert, moderately lingers, and has a rich flavor with low saturated fatty acid content; and chocolates which are for frozen dessert, and contain the fat and oil composition for frozen dessert. The chocolates which are for frozen dessert, moderately lingers, and has rich flavor with low saturated fatty acid content can be obtained by adding the prescribed amount of a transesterified oil and fat composition which is for frozen dessert and in which the composition of constituent fatty acids and the solid fat content (SFC) have been prescribed.

The invention relates to the use of pulse flours as bulking agents in chocolate compositions. For example, a chocolate composition may include a pre-cooked pulse flour, a pulse flour that has been subjected to extrusion cooking, and/or a pulse flour that has been subjected to particle size reduction (e.g., milling and/or micronization).

The invention relates to the use of pulse flours as bulking agents in chocolate compositions. For example, a chocolate composition may include a pre-cooked pulse flour, a pulse flour that has been subjected to extrusion cooking, and/or a pulse flour that has been subjected to particle size reduction (e.g., milling and/or micronization).

A reduced emulsifier or emulsifier-free chocolate composition and a method of manufacturing a reduced emulsifier or emulsifier-free chocolate composition. The reduced emulsifier or emulsifier-free chocolate compositions have a maximum packing fraction greater than that of an equivalent, traditionally manufactured chocolate, whilst having substantially the same viscosity as the equivalent, traditionally manufactured chocolate, in order to provide a healthier alternative.

The present invention provides a heat resistant fat based confection wherein at least a portion of a natural and/or artificial sweetener or milk or cocoa solids component thereof has an average particle size of greater than 50 microns. Premixes are also provided including the unmilled sweetener or milk or cocoa solid and a polyol are also provided, and in those embodiments wherein the premixes are used to prepare the fat based confection, heat resistance of the same may be further enhanced. Methods of making the fat based confection, with or without using the premix, are also provided.

The present invention provides a heat resistant fat based confection wherein at least a portion of a natural and/or artificial sweetener or milk or cocoa solids component thereof has an average particle size of greater than 50 microns. Premixes are also provided including the unmilled sweetener or milk or cocoa solid and a polyol are also provided, and in those embodiments wherein the premixes are used to prepare the fat based confection, heat resistance of the same may be further enhanced. Methods of making the fat based confection, with or without using the premix, are also provided.

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.

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.

Truffles and other confections including cotton candy as a filling or as the outer shell of a filled confection are disclosed, as are methods of making such confections. In methods of making such confections, fresh cotton candy is shaped as needed, and then the shaped cotton candy is caused or allowed to form a thin crust of sugar that protects the inner mass of cotton candy from infiltration by chocolate or other coatings. The thin crust may be formed by a simple process, such as aging the formed cotton candy at appropriate conditions of temperature and humidity, or it may be formed by actively moistening the formed cotton candy. The resulting formed mass of cotton candy can be coated and finished. In some cases, shaped cotton candy may be formed around a filling and caused or allowed to form an outer crust, such that the cotton candy forms the outer layer of a truffle.

The current invention relates to cacao pod husk powder, obtainable by processing cacao pod husks, comprising at least 50.0 wt % of dietary fiber, wherein at least 7.0 wt % is water soluble dietary fiber and further characterized by an ash content of not more than 15.0 wt % and a protein content of not less than 4.0 wt %. The invention also relates to a method for roasting said cacao pod husk powder. The invention also relates to the use of said cacao pod husk powder or cacao pod husk powder obtained by the disclosed method for food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications, wherein said food application is a confectionery application.