The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the full utilization of cacao pod husks comprising the steps of debacterizing the pod surface and opening cacao the pods, separating the cacao pod husks from, cacao pulp, cacao placenta, cacao beans and cacao bean hulls, and drying separated cacao pod husks wherein separated and dried cacao pod husks are further processed by a method comprising the steps of a) grinding the cacao pod husks; b) optional acid extraction; c) a first enzymatic treatment; d) alkaline solubilization; e) a first decantation with centrifuge; f) ultrafiltration; g) acid extraction; h) a second decantation with centrifuge; i) a second enzymatic treatment; j) ultrafiltration and extract purification; k) concentration of the extract; l) drying of the concentrated extract. The invention also relates to extracts and compositions obtained thereof and their applications.

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the full utilization of cacao pod husks comprising the steps of debacterizing the pod surface and opening cacao the pods, separating the cacao pod husks from, cacao pulp, cacao placenta, cacao beans and cacao bean hulls, and drying separated cacao pod husks wherein separated and dried cacao pod husks are further processed by a method comprising the steps of a) grinding the cacao pod husks; b) optional acid extraction; c) a first enzymatic treatment; d) alkaline solubilization; e) a first decantation with centrifuge; f) ultrafiltration; g) acid extraction; h) a second decantation with centrifuge; i) a second enzymatic treatment; j) ultrafiltration and extract purification; k) concentration of the extract; l) drying of the concentrated extract. The invention also relates to extracts and compositions obtained thereof and their applications.

The present invention primarily relates to a mixture comprising or consisting of a) D-allulose and b) a taste modifying compound selected from the group consisting of hesperetin, hersperetindihydrochalcone, phloretin, glycosylated rubusosides, balansines, phyllodulcin, eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, matairesinol, and mixtures thereof. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a food or beverage product comprising a mixture according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of cocoa- or chocolate-based beverages with excellent, rich taste, favorable organoleptic properties and high contents of nutritionally beneficial components, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) adding water to cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; b) wet grinding said suspension; c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70° C. or less; d) separating the suspension into a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) and a solid phase, said fat phase comprising cocoa butter as a major component and solids and/or water as minor components and said solid phase comprising cocoa powder and water; e) separating at least cocoa powder from the solid phase, and a step of mixing the thus produced cocoa powder or chocolate products obtained therefrom with a water source to provide the cocoa- or chocolate-based beverage. In addition, related uses and products are disclosed, which include cocoa drinks, chocolate drinks and instant cocoa powder.

The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of cocoa- or chocolate-based beverages with excellent, rich taste, favorable organoleptic properties and high contents of nutritionally beneficial components, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) adding water to cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; b) wet grinding said suspension; c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70° C. or less; d) separating the suspension into a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) and a solid phase, said fat phase comprising cocoa butter as a major component and solids and/or water as minor components and said solid phase comprising cocoa powder and water; e) separating at least cocoa powder from the solid phase, and a step of mixing the thus produced cocoa powder or chocolate products obtained therefrom with a water source to provide the cocoa- or chocolate-based beverage. In addition, related uses and products are disclosed, which include cocoa drinks, chocolate drinks and instant cocoa powder.

Disclosed is a spreadable propolis products which can be used in many sectors such as food, health and cosmetics that offer them for human consumption in their most suitable and in the highest form of bioavailability, in a fast and easy consumable state by properly extracting propolis which cause development of antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, antivirus, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerogen and anesthesic effects as well as many beneficial biological activities. Production methods thereof are also disclosed.

An instant beverage tablet in the form of multilayer tablet for producing a layered beverage having one or more cream layer(s), coffee and/or cocoa layer(s) and optionally a foam upon reconstitution in a liquid comprising a dark component having sugar, coffee and/or cocoa particles for producing a dark layer; a white component having creamer and sugar for producing white layer; wherein the dark component has a density in the range of 0.5 to 0.7 g/cm.sup.3 and wherein the white component has a density in the range of 0.74 to 0.9 g/cm.sup.3 and wherein the dark component is compressed with a compaction pressure of at least 250 kPa and wherein the white component is compressed with a compaction pressure of at least 1250 kPa.

An instant beverage tablet in the form of multilayer tablet for producing a layered beverage having one or more cream layer(s), coffee and/or cocoa layer(s) and optionally a foam upon reconstitution in a liquid comprising a dark component having sugar, coffee and/or cocoa particles for producing a dark layer; a white component having creamer and sugar for producing white layer; wherein the dark component has a density in the range of 0.5 to 0.7 g/cm.sup.3 and wherein the white component has a density in the range of 0.74 to 0.9 g/cm.sup.3 and wherein the dark component is compressed with a compaction pressure of at least 250 kPa and wherein the white component is compressed with a compaction pressure of at least 1250 kPa.

Disclosed is a method for processing cocoa beans or nibs comprising the steps of: (a) adding water to cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; (b) wet grinding said suspension; (c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70° C. or less; (d) separating the suspension into: a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) comprising cocoa butter, and a solid phase comprising cocoa powder and fluid components; (e) continuously separating the fluid components from the solid phase obtained in step (d) to obtain cocoa aroma and cocoa powder by supplying a flow of said solid phase to a mixing device; wherein the mixing device comprises: a cylindrical, tubular body with a horizontal axis having an inlet opening for the solid phase, an outlet opening for the dried solid phase and an optional outlet opening for a vapor phase comprising cocoa aroma; end plates closing the tubular body at its opposite ends; a coaxial jacket heating or cooling the internal wall of the tubular body to a temperature of from 55° C. to 150° C.; and a bladed rotor, which is supported for rotation in the tubular body, its blades being arranged as a helix and oriented for centrifuging the solid phase and simultaneously transporting it towards the outlet opening.

Disclosed is a method for processing cocoa beans or nibs comprising the steps of: (a) adding water to cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; (b) wet grinding said suspension; (c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70° C. or less; (d) separating the suspension into: a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) comprising cocoa butter, and a solid phase comprising cocoa powder and fluid components; (e) continuously separating the fluid components from the solid phase obtained in step (d) to obtain cocoa aroma and cocoa powder by supplying a flow of said solid phase to a mixing device; wherein the mixing device comprises: a cylindrical, tubular body with a horizontal axis having an inlet opening for the solid phase, an outlet opening for the dried solid phase and an optional outlet opening for a vapor phase comprising cocoa aroma; end plates closing the tubular body at its opposite ends; a coaxial jacket heating or cooling the internal wall of the tubular body to a temperature of from 55° C. to 150° C.; and a bladed rotor, which is supported for rotation in the tubular body, its blades being arranged as a helix and oriented for centrifuging the solid phase and simultaneously transporting it towards the outlet opening.