A method for creating a cold formed bar such as a fruit and vegetable bar. The invention is an improved process for manipulating the total sugars without having the cold formed bar lose its characteristic texture or appearance. In one aspect, the invention adds a solid binder to a conventional mixing operation after the liquid binder and the dry ingredients are added. In one aspect, the invention uses a combination binder that allows reduction of liquid binder and reduces added sugar level on finished product. The combination binder does not impact whole piece appearance in the cold form bar while providing enough binding capacity to hold the bar together throughout processing and shelf life.

A method for producing a modified starchy powder of the present invention includes a step of adding 0.2 to 5 parts by mass of a monovalent or divalent metal salt, in terms of the mass of metal ions, to 100 parts by mass of a starchy powder to obtain a mixture, and a heating step of heating the mixture so that the temperature of the starchy powder is in a range of 70? C. to 130? C. Preferably, the method includes a step of adjusting the moisture content of the mixture to 12 to 22 mass % prior to the heating step. According to the present invention, it is possible to produce fried coated food in which a coating has excellent adhesion to a solid ingredient and also has excellent flavor and texture.

An edible composition, particularly an edible transport system, comprising an edible substance and a cross-linked matrix encapsulating the edible substance, the cross-linked matrix comprising (1) at least one edible polymer and edible particles or (2) a plurality of edible polymers.

A method for coating a perishable food product such as fresh fruits and vegetables is disclosed. The coating includes applying a bleached cellulose nanofibers (CNF) composition to the food product. Coating compositions suitable for such methods and coated food products containing the coating are also disclosed. Due to the coating compositions employed, a sustainable packaging for a food product is provided.

A food process and resulting product which includes (1) an initial dehydration of, and/or provision of dehydrated ingredients; (2) blending of the dehydrated ingredients sufficiently to form a dry aggregation; (3) oil enhancement of the dry aggregation; (4) rehydration of the ingredients; (5) agglomeration; and (6) final dehydration. The process results in a product that is a more attractive dehydrated product, more attractive and more pleasurable to eat when rehydrated, rehydrates faster, and remains fresh longer.

Methods, kits, and treatment compositions for treating agricultural products to reduce or preventing wildfire smoke taint or other types of taint, including treated agricultural products, are provided. One or more treatment compositions effective in reducing or preventing wildfire smoke taint are preferably applied to agricultural products such as, for example, wine grapes prior to and/or during wildfire smoke exposure.

Methods are disclosed for making a shelf stable food containing a flavorant having improved intensity over shelf life. Methods include applying a powdered flavorant to a surface of dried fruit pieces prior to combining the dried fruit pieces with a binder to form an aggregate. Shelf stable foods made according to the disclosed methods are also disclosed.

A shelf stable fried product and a process for creating a shelf stable fried product is disclosed. Aspects include a process for managing fat migration, moisture migration, and cell degrading of a food product during frying. Aspects further include a resulting shelf stable food product that includes a crispy and/or crunchy texture and a desirable fat distribution.

New sandwich product, particularly a fast food sandwich product that contains appreciable amounts of salad ingredients, and to a salad insert suitable for use in such sandwich product to improve the diet of the consumer. The sandwich product can include a layer of a meat or protein portion with the layer of a wrapped salad portion that are placed on or enclosed between a bread portion. The wrapped salad portion uses an edible wrapper to enclose the salad ingredients. The edible wrapper can be an edible processed wrapper such as rice paper or soy paper, or an edible natural wrapper such as a lettuce leaf or cabbage leaf, or a combination thereof. An edible humectant can be used in the source of water used for moistening a dried sheet of a rice paper for improving the resistance to drying of a moistened rice paper. Salad dressing can be injected through the outer layer of the wrapped salad portion using a needle.

A food grilling rack provides a frame defined by a plurality of connected side walls forming a closed geometric shape. The frame includes a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. The lower sheet is attached to at least some of the side walls. An upper sheet of material is supported (e.g., removably) above the sheet of corrugated material. There are a plurality of openings in the upper sheet of material, each opening being vertically aligned with a lowest portion of a trough. In one embodiment, the frame includes a pair of flanged members attached to a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. A sheet with openings slides into the frame aligning the openings with the lowest part of the trough. A food stuffing apparatus provides a receptacle having an interior, an upper end portion with a larger opening and a lower end portion with a smaller opening, and a tapering portion in between the upper and lower end portions. A plunger is provided having a head, a lower end portion with a shaft having a lower pushing surface and a joint that joins the head to the shaft. The pushing surface has a larger diameter portion, the shaft tapering above the pushing surface to a smaller diameter portion above the pushing surface in the upper one half of the plunger.