Cultured plant-based cheese compositions are formed from a plant-based emulsion made from legume material, seed material, or a combination thereof; coagulated into curds using a coagulating agent; and combined with one or more microbial cultures and proteolytic enzymes, which serve to develop flavor and texture during aging. Whey is then driven from the curds using a mechanical process to exert pressure on the curds. The cultured plant-based cheese composition may further include plant fats; sugars that serve to support the growth and fermentation of the microbial cultures; other ingredients that contribute to flavor development such as citrate or citric acid; or any combination thereof. Further flavor development occurs during aging, where the curds are maintained at temperatures of 0-16° C. for up to two years or more. In preferred variations, the cultured plant-based cheese composition does not comprise nuts.

Cultured plant-based cheese compositions are formed from a plant-based emulsion made from legume material, seed material, or a combination thereof; coagulated into curds using a coagulating agent; and combined with one or more microbial cultures and proteolytic enzymes, which serve to develop flavor and texture during aging. Whey is then driven from the curds using a mechanical process to exert pressure on the curds. The cultured plant-based cheese composition may further include plant fats; sugars that serve to support the growth and fermentation of the microbial cultures; other ingredients that contribute to flavor development such as citrate or citric acid; or any combination thereof. Further flavor development occurs during aging, where the curds are maintained at temperatures of 0-16° C. for up to two years or more. In preferred variations, the cultured plant-based cheese composition does not comprise nuts.

Disclosed is a method for preparing an emulsion gel-based fat substitute with adjustable phase change and use thereof, belonging to the field of oils and fats and food processing. The emulsion gel-based fat substitutes are prepared by using an oil-soluble polysaccharide, oil-soluble small molecule gelling agent, water-soluble large molecule gelling agent and vegetable oil as raw materials, dissolving the oil-soluble polysaccharide, small molecule gelling agent and water-soluble large molecule gelling agent in the heated oil and water phases, mixing and emulsifying the oil solution and aqueous solution to obtain an emulsion, and then gelling the emulsion upon stirring and cooling. An oil-soluble polysaccharide reduces the amount of oil-soluble small molecule gelling agent, an emulsion gel-based fat substitute containing trans-free low-saturated fatty acids is prepared, and the overall oil content of the emulsion gel is reduced by adding the water phase gelled with the water-soluble large molecule gelling agent.

Provided are non-dairy yogurt analogs that have qualities similar to those of dairy-based yogurts. Certain embodiments are to plant-based yogurt analogs comprising fermented plant protein isolates and/or gelled plant protein isolates. Also provided are processes for production of such non-dairy yogurt analogs. For instance, a method for producing a plant-based yogurt mixture capable of being used to make a plant-based yogurt analog comprising the steps of: a) obtaining an essentially dairy-free base for a yogurt formulation that includes a plant-based derivative, such as a paste; and b) adding an acid to said formulation. Thereafter, the plant-based yogurt formulation may be used to manufacture a plant-based yogurt analog comprising the steps of: a) heating a plant-based yogurt mixture for a first pre-determined amount of time while stirring; b) allowing the mixture to cool; c) adding yogurt cultures to the resultant mixture; and d) incubating the resultant mixture for a second pre-determined amount of time to produce a plant-based yogurt analog.

Provided are non-dairy yogurt analogs that have qualities similar to those of dairy-based yogurts. Certain embodiments are to plant-based yogurt analogs comprising fermented plant protein isolates and/or gelled plant protein isolates. Also provided are processes for production of such non-dairy yogurt analogs. For instance, a method for producing a plant-based yogurt mixture capable of being used to make a plant-based yogurt analog comprising the steps of: a) obtaining an essentially dairy-free base for a yogurt formulation that includes a plant-based derivative, such as a paste; and b) adding an acid to said formulation. Thereafter, the plant-based yogurt formulation may be used to manufacture a plant-based yogurt analog comprising the steps of: a) heating a plant-based yogurt mixture for a first pre-determined amount of time while stirring; b) allowing the mixture to cool; c) adding yogurt cultures to the resultant mixture; and d) incubating the resultant mixture for a second pre-determined amount of time to produce a plant-based yogurt analog.

Compositions comprising polysaccharides and oligosaccharides are provided. Methods for the formation of the compositions, including the enzymatic production of the oligosaccharides, and the uses of the compositions in foodstuffs, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals are also provided.

A method for making highly soluble Stevia sweetener compositions is described. The resulting sweetener compositions readily provide high concentration solutions, and also possess superior taste qualities. The compositions can be used as sweeteners, sweetness enhancers, and flavor enhancers in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

A method for making highly soluble Stevia sweetener compositions is described. The resulting sweetener compositions readily provide high concentration solutions, and also possess superior taste qualities. The compositions can be used as sweeteners, sweetness enhancers, and flavor enhancers in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

A process is disclosed for obtaining citrus fiber from citrus pulp. Citrus fiber is obtained having a c* close packing concentration value of less than 3.8. The citrus fiber can be obtained having a viscosity of at least 1000 mPa.s, wherein said citrus fiber is dispersed in standardized water at a mixing speed of from 800 rpm to 1000 rpm, to a 3 w/w% citrus fiber/standardized water solution, and wherein said viscosity is measured at a shear rate of 5 s-1 at 20° C. Citrus fiber can be obtained having a CIELAB L* value of at least 90. The citrus fiber can be used in food products, feed products, beverages, personal care products, pharmaceutical products or detergent products.

A process is disclosed for obtaining citrus fiber from citrus pulp. Citrus fiber is obtained having a c* close packing concentration value of less than 3.8. The citrus fiber can be obtained having a viscosity of at least 1000 mPa.s, wherein said citrus fiber is dispersed in standardized water at a mixing speed of from 800 rpm to 1000 rpm, to a 3 w/w% citrus fiber/standardized water solution, and wherein said viscosity is measured at a shear rate of 5 s-1 at 20° C. Citrus fiber can be obtained having a CIELAB L* value of at least 90. The citrus fiber can be used in food products, feed products, beverages, personal care products, pharmaceutical products or detergent products.