The invention relates to a method for producing an expanded food system, comprising a step of injecting, into an initial composition, a treatment gas comprising CO.sub.2 and N.sub.2O at a treatment pressure, characterized in that the treatment gas also comprises argon, and where the partial pressure of the CO.sub.2 in the mixture is preferably lower than or equal to 4 bar, and more preferably lower than or equal to 3 bar of CO.sub.2.

An apparatus for manufacturing cryogenically frozen supplementary beads, including a freezing chamber configured to contain a cryogenic liquid, at least one feed tray overlying the freezing chamber arranged and adapted to receive a liquid composition from a delivery source, the at least one feed tray having a plurality of orifices for the discharge of uniformly sized droplets of the liquid composition from the at least one feed tray, whereby the droplets are delivered by gravity into the freezing chamber there-below to form frozen beads, at least one clean-in-place structure, and a conveyor belt assembly comprising a conveyor belt, wherein at least a portion of the conveyor belt is positioned proximate a bottom of the freezing chamber such that the conveyor belt is positioned to receive frozen beads onto the conveyor belt.

An apparatus for manufacturing cryogenically frozen supplementary beads, including a freezing chamber configured to contain a cryogenic liquid, at least one feed tray overlying the freezing chamber arranged and adapted to receive a liquid composition from a delivery source, the at least one feed tray having a plurality of orifices for the discharge of uniformly sized droplets of the liquid composition from the at least one feed tray, whereby the droplets are delivered by gravity into the freezing chamber there-below to form frozen beads, at least one clean-in-place structure, and a conveyor belt assembly comprising a conveyor belt, wherein at least a portion of the conveyor belt is positioned proximate a bottom of the freezing chamber such that the conveyor belt is positioned to receive frozen beads onto the conveyor belt.

A liquid nitrogen dispenser for frozen treats comprises an anodized mount, an anodized cover attached onto the anodized mount, an inlet integrated into the anodized cover, an outlet integrated into the anodized cover, a dispensing tube, a primary flow valve mounted in between the anodized cover and the anodized mount and in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, a phase separator externally mounted to the anodized cover and in fluid communication with the outlet by the dispensing tube, an access hole traversing through the anodized cover, an annular gasket penetrating the access hole and peripherally pressed against the anodized cover and an insulating layer positioned around the primary flow valve, mounted across the anodized cover and pressed in between the anodized cover and the annular gasket.

A liquid nitrogen dispenser for frozen treats comprises an anodized mount, an anodized cover attached onto the anodized mount, an inlet integrated into the anodized cover, an outlet integrated into the anodized cover, a dispensing tube, a primary flow valve mounted in between the anodized cover and the anodized mount and in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, a phase separator externally mounted to the anodized cover and in fluid communication with the outlet by the dispensing tube, an access hole traversing through the anodized cover, an annular gasket penetrating the access hole and peripherally pressed against the anodized cover and an insulating layer positioned around the primary flow valve, mounted across the anodized cover and pressed in between the anodized cover and the annular gasket.

Zero- and reduced-calorie frozen carbonated beverages comprising rare sugars are provided herein. The beverages contain a freezing point depressant composition comprising at least one rare sugar and, optionally, one or more other freezing point depressant compounds. Frozen carbonated beverages comprising natural high potency sweeteners and rare sugars with sugar-like characteristics are also provided, wherein the natural high potency sweetener and rare sugars are present in particular weight ratios. Methods of preparing the frozen carbonated beverages are also provided.

Zero- and reduced-calorie frozen carbonated beverages comprising rare sugars are provided herein. The beverages contain a freezing point depressant composition comprising at least one rare sugar and, optionally, one or more other freezing point depressant compounds. Frozen carbonated beverages comprising natural high potency sweeteners and rare sugars with sugar-like characteristics are also provided, wherein the natural high potency sweetener and rare sugars are present in particular weight ratios. Methods of preparing the frozen carbonated beverages are also provided.

A process for producing a food product comprises the following process steps: a) introducing ice cream into a cup, so that the ice cream occupies a lower region of the cup, b) introducing a specified quantity of liquid coolant into a metering container, c) after completion of process steps a) and b), introducing the coolant from the metering container into the cup, so that the coolant cools a top side of the ice cream in the cup, and d) after completion of process step c), introducing an at least partially melted garnishing substance into the cup, so that a solid garnishing layer composed of the garnishing substance is formed on the top side of the ice cream as a result of hardening of the garnishing substance.

A process for producing a food product comprises the following process steps: a) introducing ice cream into a cup, so that the ice cream occupies a lower region of the cup, b) introducing a specified quantity of liquid coolant into a metering container, c) after completion of process steps a) and b), introducing the coolant from the metering container into the cup, so that the coolant cools a top side of the ice cream in the cup, and d) after completion of process step c), introducing an at least partially melted garnishing substance into the cup, so that a solid garnishing layer composed of the garnishing substance is formed on the top side of the ice cream as a result of hardening of the garnishing substance.

Systems and methods of producing a frozen food product include dosing ingredients with a liquefied gas while mixing the ingredients using self-cleaning interlocking beaters. The beaters are optionally also disposed to clean a container in which the ingredients are frozen. The rate and amount of cooling is controlled by measuring the quantity of liquid nitrogen, measuring viscosity of the frozen food product, measuring temperature, and/or the like.