The present invention relates in general to meat analogue products suitable for the vegan consumer. In particular, it relates to a bacon analogue product and method of making thereof.

The present invention relates in general to meat analogue products suitable for the vegan consumer. In particular, it relates to a bacon analogue product and method of making thereof.

The present invention related to a method for preparing a protein hydrolysate from a proteinaceous material by contacting the material with a proteolytic enzyme mixture having a proline specific exopeptidase. In particular, the proline specific exopeptidase is an aminopeptidase specific for at the five amino acid N-terminal sequence X-Pro-Gln-Glv-Pro-, where X is any amino acid. The present invention also relates to use of the aminopeptidase with a second exopeptidase and an endopeptidase.

The present invention related to a method for preparing a protein hydrolysate from a proteinaceous material by contacting the material with a proteolytic enzyme mixture having a proline specific exopeptidase. In particular, the proline specific exopeptidase is an aminopeptidase specific for at the five amino acid N-terminal sequence X-Pro-Gln-Glv-Pro-, where X is any amino acid. The present invention also relates to use of the aminopeptidase with a second exopeptidase and an endopeptidase.

The present disclosure provides a meat analogue that comprises a protein-based component and a fat-based component separately distributed within the meat analogue; wherein the meat analogue comprises at least one segment that consists essentially of the protein based component which is chemically distinct from at least one other segment that consists essentially of the fat-based component; and wherein at least one of the following is fulfilled (i) a cubic sample of the meat analogue exhibits an anisotropic physical property and (ii) the meat analogue comprises a non-homogenous distribution of the protein based component and the fat-based component. Also disclosed herein is a method of producing the meat analogue, the method preferably involved digital printing of the meat analogue.

The present disclosure provides a meat analogue that comprises a protein-based component and a fat-based component separately distributed within the meat analogue; wherein the meat analogue comprises at least one segment that consists essentially of the protein based component which is chemically distinct from at least one other segment that consists essentially of the fat-based component; and wherein at least one of the following is fulfilled (i) a cubic sample of the meat analogue exhibits an anisotropic physical property and (ii) the meat analogue comprises a non-homogenous distribution of the protein based component and the fat-based component. Also disclosed herein is a method of producing the meat analogue, the method preferably involved digital printing of the meat analogue.

Non-meat food products are provided that have the appearance and the texture of cooked meat. Methods for making such non-meat food products are also provided. In an embodiment, a method includes mixing dry ingredients comprising vegetable proteins with wet ingredients including water and/or oil to form a non-meat dough; heating the non-meat dough under pressure; maintaining the pressure while transferring the heated non-meat dough to a cooling device; and gradually cooling the heated non-meat dough while gradually decreasing pressure on the heated non-meat dough, to form a non-meat food product. The mixing can be performed by a batch or continuous mixer; the heating can be performed by a device selected from the group consisting of a high shear emulsifier, a heat exchanger, and a dielectric heater; and the gradual cooling can be performed by a heat exchanger.

Non-meat food products are provided that have the appearance and the texture of cooked meat. Methods for making such non-meat food products are also provided. In an embodiment, a method includes mixing dry ingredients comprising vegetable proteins with wet ingredients including water and/or oil to form a non-meat dough; heating the non-meat dough under pressure; maintaining the pressure while transferring the heated non-meat dough to a cooling device; and gradually cooling the heated non-meat dough while gradually decreasing pressure on the heated non-meat dough, to form a non-meat food product. The mixing can be performed by a batch or continuous mixer; the heating can be performed by a device selected from the group consisting of a high shear emulsifier, a heat exchanger, and a dielectric heater; and the gradual cooling can be performed by a heat exchanger.

Problem to be Solved An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a textured protein material having a meat-like fibrous texture. Solution The textured protein material having a meat-like fibrous texture can be produced by feeding a flat-sheet-like textured protein material prepared via pressurization and heating, and then extrusion by an extruder through cutting blade rolls composed of a pair of rolls facing each other and having a plurality of square-blade-like annular blades arranged in parallel, thereby making slits sheared on the topside and the underside of the textured protein material in the same direction as the extruded direction.

Problem to be Solved An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a textured protein material having a meat-like fibrous texture. Solution The textured protein material having a meat-like fibrous texture can be produced by feeding a flat-sheet-like textured protein material prepared via pressurization and heating, and then extrusion by an extruder through cutting blade rolls composed of a pair of rolls facing each other and having a plurality of square-blade-like annular blades arranged in parallel, thereby making slits sheared on the topside and the underside of the textured protein material in the same direction as the extruded direction.