Disclosed herein is a composition for forming an aerated ready-to-eat food product quiescently and in ambient environmental conditions. The composition comprises a matrix forming system which is capable of forming a matrix defining a structure of the food product at ambient environmental conditions upon exposure to a liquid. The composition also comprises an aerating system comprising an acidulant which is capable of acidulating at ambient environmental conditions at a rate that is similar to a rate at which the matrix is formed upon exposure to a liquid, and an alkali which is capable of reacting with the acidulant to form an aerating gas.

Disclosed herein is a composition for forming an aerated ready-to-eat food product quiescently and in ambient environmental conditions. The composition comprises a matrix forming system which is capable of forming a matrix defining a structure of the food product at ambient environmental conditions upon exposure to a liquid. The composition also comprises an aerating system comprising an acidulant which is capable of acidulating at ambient environmental conditions at a rate that is similar to a rate at which the matrix is formed upon exposure to a liquid, and an alkali which is capable of reacting with the acidulant to form an aerating gas.

The process involves feeding a base aerated frozen confection having an overrun of from 20-150% from a freezer to a static mixer, feeding a viscous flavorant or other ingredient having a free oil level of at least 10% to the static mixer to combine with the base frozen confection, and mixing them in the static mixer to obtain a frozen confection including the viscous flavorant or other ingredient which is homogeneous to the eye and taste and which preferably has fewer crystalline fat structures per air bubble, which means greater stability of the air bubbles. The invention is also reflected in reduced standard deviation in product fill weight and an improved distribution of air bubbles. The invention also is directed to the frozen is aerated confection.

The process involves feeding a base aerated frozen confection having an overrun of from 20-150% from a freezer to a static mixer, feeding a viscous flavorant or other ingredient having a free oil level of at least 10% to the static mixer to combine with the base frozen confection, and mixing them in the static mixer to obtain a frozen confection including the viscous flavorant or other ingredient which is homogeneous to the eye and taste and which preferably has fewer crystalline fat structures per air bubble, which means greater stability of the air bubbles. The invention is also reflected in reduced standard deviation in product fill weight and an improved distribution of air bubbles. The invention also is directed to the frozen is aerated confection.

The invention relates to a device (10) for preparing a cooled or frozen and/or foamed product, comprising: a product inlet (20) through which a certain quantity of fluid at ambient temperature, optionally also with air, enters the device, at a certain flow rate, this flow rate depending on the type of product to be prepared by the device; a processing chamber (108) through which the fluid flows and where it is processed, the processing chamber (108) defining a volume for the flow of fluid; at least a processing element (100, 200; 300) rotatable within the processing chamber (108) and configured to mix and/or scrap and/or foam by Couette Flow effect the fluid flowing through it; a cooling element (60) providing a certain cooling power configured to cool at least partially the processing chamber (108) which is at least partially in contact with the fluid. The invention further refers to a method for preparing a cooled or frozen and/or foamed product using a device (10) as the one described, and also to the use of such a device (10) for preparing a cooled or frozen and/or foamed product.

The invention relates to a device (10) for preparing a cooled or frozen and/or foamed product, comprising: a product inlet (20) through which a certain quantity of fluid at ambient temperature, optionally also with air, enters the device, at a certain flow rate, this flow rate depending on the type of product to be prepared by the device; a processing chamber (108) through which the fluid flows and where it is processed, the processing chamber (108) defining a volume for the flow of fluid; at least a processing element (100, 200; 300) rotatable within the processing chamber (108) and configured to mix and/or scrap and/or foam by Couette Flow effect the fluid flowing through it; a cooling element (60) providing a certain cooling power configured to cool at least partially the processing chamber (108) which is at least partially in contact with the fluid. The invention further refers to a method for preparing a cooled or frozen and/or foamed product using a device (10) as the one described, and also to the use of such a device (10) for preparing a cooled or frozen and/or foamed product.

Methods of reducing the viscosity of a liquid flowing through process equipment by introducing into the liquid a quantity of micro- and/or nano-sized bubbles are disclosed. In particular embodiments, the liquid comprises a plurality of very fine charged particles, such as proteins. The bubbles that are introduced into the liquid induce within the liquid/bubble interface a charge that is of the same polarity to that of the charged particles dispersed within the liquid. Liquid products comprising a plurality of micro- and/or nanobubbles are also disclosed.

Methods of reducing the viscosity of a liquid flowing through process equipment by introducing into the liquid a quantity of micro- and/or nano-sized bubbles are disclosed. In particular embodiments, the liquid comprises a plurality of very fine charged particles, such as proteins. The bubbles that are introduced into the liquid induce within the liquid/bubble interface a charge that is of the same polarity to that of the charged particles dispersed within the liquid. Liquid products comprising a plurality of micro- and/or nanobubbles are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a method of producing a frozen confection product, the method comprising the steps of: providing an ingredient mix free from added sugar or comprises below 0.2% wt, the composition comprising 3-17 wt. % fat, 3-17 wt. % milk solids non-fat, and 1-10 wt. % protein comprising casein and whey, the ingredient mix having a pH of 6.1-6.4; homogenising the ingredient mix and subsequently pasteurizing the composition at a temperature of 80°-100° C. for a period of 0.5-3 min to form agglomerated protein comprising casein and whey, adding 3-25 wt. % of sugar to the ingredient mix; and freezing while optionally aerating the ingredient mix, to form a frozen confection product. The invention also relates to a product obtained with the method.

The invention relates to a method of producing a frozen confection product, the method comprising the steps of: providing an ingredient mix free from added sugar or comprises below 0.2% wt, the composition comprising 3-17 wt. % fat, 3-17 wt. % milk solids non-fat, and 1-10 wt. % protein comprising casein and whey, the ingredient mix having a pH of 6.1-6.4; homogenising the ingredient mix and subsequently pasteurizing the composition at a temperature of 80°-100° C. for a period of 0.5-3 min to form agglomerated protein comprising casein and whey, adding 3-25 wt. % of sugar to the ingredient mix; and freezing while optionally aerating the ingredient mix, to form a frozen confection product. The invention also relates to a product obtained with the method.