A cocoa powder with improved dispersibility.

A cocoa powder with improved dispersibility.

The invention relates to a method of producing a shelf stable ready-to-drink beverage product, comprising the steps of: providing an ingredient composition comprising micellar caseins and whey protein, having a total protein concentration of 1.5-8 wt. %, and wherein the composition has a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, adding divalent cations to provide a concentration of 3-20 mM free divalent cations in the ingredient composition, and 0.025-0.3 wt % of a stabilizing system comprising hydrocolloids, and subsequently heat treating the ingredient composition at ultra high temperature (UHT) at 135-150° C. for 3-30 s to form agglomerated proteins comprising casein and beta-lactoglobulin from the whey protein, the agglomerates having a size of 5-30 microns mean diameter D(4,3) as measured by laser diffraction. The invention also relates to a shelf stable ready-to-drink beverage product comprising aggregated proteins comprising micellar caseins and whey protein aggregates, wherein the product has a pH of 6.6-7.2, 1.5-8.0 wt. % milk proteins, a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, and a concentration of 3-20 mM divalent cations, and the aggregates are of 5-30 microns mean diameter D(4,3) as measured by laser diffraction.

The present invention primarily relates to a mixture comprising or consisting of components a), b) and c), and optionally component d), wherein component a) is at least one rare sugar, component b) is at least one taste modifying compound, component c) is at least one natural sweet tasting compound, and component d) is at least one natural caloric sweet-tasting carbohydrate and/or at least one non-caloric sweet tasting sugar alcohol.

The present invention primarily relates to a mixture comprising or consisting of components a), b) and c), and optionally component d), wherein component a) is at least one rare sugar, component b) is at least one taste modifying compound, component c) is at least one natural sweet tasting compound, and component d) is at least one natural caloric sweet-tasting carbohydrate and/or at least one non-caloric sweet tasting sugar alcohol.

Ready to drink beverages are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a ready to drink high-protein chocolate beverage including a protein component, a cocoa component, and a stabilizing system. The protein component may be present in an amount from about 4% to about 12% by weight of the beverage. The stabilizing system includes sodium hexamethaphosphate and a hydrocolloid component.

Ready to drink beverages are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a ready to drink high-protein chocolate beverage including a protein component, a cocoa component, and a stabilizing system. The protein component may be present in an amount from about 4% to about 12% by weight of the beverage. The stabilizing system includes sodium hexamethaphosphate and a hydrocolloid component.

Ready to drink beverages are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a ready to drink high-protein chocolate beverage including a protein component, a cocoa component, and a stabilizing system. The protein component may be present in an amount from about 4% to about 12% by weight of the beverage. The stabilizing system includes sodium hexamethaphosphate and a hydrocolloid component.

Use of a yeast capable of producing ethanol and acetic acid by fermentation of a carbohydrate, in a method for the fermentation of cocoa beans, is disclosed.

Use of a yeast capable of producing ethanol and acetic acid by fermentation of a carbohydrate, in a method for the fermentation of cocoa beans, is disclosed.