The invention relates to an aqueous binder liquid that can advantageously be used in the layer-by-layer production of 3-D sugar-based food products. More particularly, the invention relates to an aqueous binder liquid containing: (a) 50-70 wt. % water; (b) 12-30 wt. % sugar alcohol; (c) 5-20 wt. % short chain polyol selected from glycerol, propane-1, 2-diol and combinations thereof; and (d) 3-10 wt. % ethanol; wherein components (a), (b), (c) and (d) together constitute at least 90 wt. % of the aqueous binder liquid. The aqueous binder liquid of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in methods of layer-by-layer production of 3-D sugar-based food products in which the binder liquid is applied by means of piezo inkjet print heads. These methods enable the production of highly creative and complex patterns, such as cocktail toppers, edible logos and decorative wedding cake toppers. The invention further relates to a three-dimensional sugar-based food product that has been obtained by a layer-by-layer production method that employs the aforementioned aqueous binder liquid.

An edible confectionery ink composition for 3D printing comprises: from 20% to 75% by weight of sweetener, preferably sugar, and from 15% to 50% by weight of a fat composition, wherein the fat composition comprises from 0% to 3% by weight of lauric acid (C12:0); and from 35% to 70% by weight of saturated fatty acid (SAFA); said percentages of acid referring to acids bound as acyl groups in glycerides in the fat composition and being based on the total weight of C8 to C24 fatty acids; and a percentage of saturated fatty acid on the second position of triglyceride out of total saturated fatty acid (Sn-2 SAFA %) from 8.0% to 40.0%; and wherein the fat composition has; from 50 to 90 solid fat content at 10° C.; and from 30 to 75 solid fat content at 20° C.; and from 5 to 30 solid fat content at 30° C.; measured on unstabilized fat according to ISO 8292-1.

A method for printing a three-dimensional crystalline structure such as a chocolate layer wherein, after printing, the material has a desired crystal structure and a plurality of non-random cavities. An embodiment can include printing a liquid first layer of material with a printer onto a second layer of material having a crystal structure. Subsequently, the printed liquid first layer is processed to solidify the first layer. During the processing of the printed liquid first layer, the second layer functions as a crystal seed layer through physical contact with the printed liquid first layer and the second layer crystallizes with the crystal structure. In some embodiments, confections may be formed from high-quality chocolate, where the confection has a reduced caloric content with acceptable mouthfeel. In other embodiments, a confection may have a previously unrealized mouthfeel and taste.

A topical high resolution image of edible ink and having a resolution of at least 100 dots per inch is applied to a top major surface of a length of food in the form of a thin fruit based paste or confection slurry by a digital imaging printer. The length of food is at a temperature of at least about 75° C. at the time of application. During application, the food is supported upon a moveable platform mounted by parallelogram links and which is moved parallel to the digital imaging printer according to a condition of the top major surface upon which the topical high resolution image is applied and detected by detecting provisions.

A confectionary decorating kit comprising a block comprising a plurality of decorative stamp elements and a plurality of receptacles defined in the block wherein each decorative stamp element is mounted into a matching receptacle, and wherein each decorative stamp element is removable from its matching receptacle. In addition a confectionary decorating kit comprising a plate comprising a first plate surface wherein a decorative stamp element is attachable to the first plate surface of the plate to form a decorative stamp comprising a design formed from the decorative stamp elements, and wherein the decorative stamp is for use to imprint the design into an item of edible confectionary.

Alcohol water-based, edible ink formulations comprising scalenohedral calcium carbonate particles are provided. The calcium carbonate particles can act as a white pigment to impart white color properties to the edible ink formulations which provide improved print quality and durability. The edible ink formulations can be printed onto a variety of surfaces, including the surfaces of food products such as confectionery products and snack food products.

An edible floating balloon composition and method of making the same. The edible floating balloon composition includes blending water with a hydrocolloid such as methylcellulose and xanthan gum to form a gelling solution. The gelling solution is vacuum packed in a container and refrigerated until the hydrocolloid is fully bloomed. An isomalt melt is then prepared. The gelling solution and a liquid glucose are mixed to form a gellification solution. The gellification solution is tempered into the isomalt melt to form an edible balloon taffy. One or more of an ascorbic acid and a citric acid are mixed with the edible balloon taffy. Optionally, a flavoring element is added to the edible balloon taffy. A pressurized gas may be injected into the edible balloon taffy to form a balloon of a desired size. The pressurized gas may be helium so that the balloon may float.

An edible and 3D printable ink composition is disclosed herein, which includes a chocolate-based material including a chocolate syrup, a chocolate paste, or a combination thereof, and cocoa powder present in an amount ranging from 5 to 25 w/w %, wherein the edible and 3D printable ink composition is both printable and remains in a single phase at a temperature ranging from 20 C. to 30 C. A method of 3D printing the edible and 3D printable ink composition, and a system operable for printing the edible and 3D printable ink composition, are also disclosed herein.

A confectionery item for applying an edible temporary tattoo to a person's tongue, including a release medium and an edible substrate configured to be insertable into the person's mouth, the release medium being securable to the substrate and coated with a layer of edible hardener onto which a transfer is printed, wherein the transfer is a representation formed of edible ink printed onto the layer of edible hardener and configured to be transferred to the person's tongue during contact therewith.

The present invention provides a wafer product decorating apparatus comprising a laser, a collimator, at least one galvanometer driven mirror, and an aspheric scan lens, the apparatus being positionable relative to the wafer product to be decorated wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a laser beam having a spot size of from 100 to 750 m in diameter on the surface of the product to be decorated and a substantially flat focal plane, characterised in that the focal plane has a depth of field of from 5 mm to 20 mm and that the focal plane of the laser beam is from 5 mm to 30 mm above or below the surface of the product to be decorated. The invention also provides a process for decorating a wafer product.