To provide an edible ingredient having an exceptional effect for enhancing umami. An umami-enhancing composition having a carotenoid degradation product as an active ingredient. The umami-enhancing composition can be formulated through a manufacturing method that includes a step for adding a carotenoid to an edible oil and fat, and a step for degrading the carotenoid in the edible oil and fat. The carotenoid degradation product is preferably a degradation product of one or more selected from the group consisting of carotenes and xanthophylls. The umami-enhancing composition is optimally used as a food-product ingredient, etc., for manufacturing a seasoning or extract or for enhancing the umami of a food product.

To provide an edible ingredient having an exceptional effect for enhancing umami. An umami-enhancing composition having a carotenoid degradation product as an active ingredient. The umami-enhancing composition can be formulated through a manufacturing method that includes a step for adding a carotenoid to an edible oil and fat, and a step for degrading the carotenoid in the edible oil and fat. The carotenoid degradation product is preferably a degradation product of one or more selected from the group consisting of carotenes and xanthophylls. The umami-enhancing composition is optimally used as a food-product ingredient, etc., for manufacturing a seasoning or extract or for enhancing the umami of a food product.

A method for making an encased vegetable based jerky includes the steps of: hydrating a texturized vegetable protein mixture to form a fibrous mass; hydrating a gel forming vegetable protein isolate to form a protein gel; mixing the protein gel with the fibrous mass to form a mixed mass; extruding the mixed mass into a casing to form a cased mass; and cooking and drying the cased mass to form encased vegetable based jerky. The encased vegetable based jerky includes: a three-component protein mix including a textured long fiber vegetable protein, a textured short fiber vegetable protein, and a gel forming vegetable protein isolate, the three-component protein mix forming a plurality of protein clusters dispersed in the meat analogue; psyllium husk; and a casing enclosing the three-component vegetable protein mix wherein the casing is substantially free of breaks or delaminated portions, wherein the encased vegetable based jerky is substantially free of added vegetable oil.

A method for making an encased vegetable based jerky includes the steps of: hydrating a texturized vegetable protein mixture to form a fibrous mass; hydrating a gel forming vegetable protein isolate to form a protein gel; mixing the protein gel with the fibrous mass to form a mixed mass; extruding the mixed mass into a casing to form a cased mass; and cooking and drying the cased mass to form encased vegetable based jerky. The encased vegetable based jerky includes: a three-component protein mix including a textured long fiber vegetable protein, a textured short fiber vegetable protein, and a gel forming vegetable protein isolate, the three-component protein mix forming a plurality of protein clusters dispersed in the meat analogue; psyllium husk; and a casing enclosing the three-component vegetable protein mix wherein the casing is substantially free of breaks or delaminated portions, wherein the encased vegetable based jerky is substantially free of added vegetable oil.

Provided is an enzyme composition that can be used to produce food products with less contaminants and excellent flavor and texture. An enzyme composition for food products containing a peptidase and having substantially no contaminating activity.

Provided is an enzyme composition that can be used to produce food products with less contaminants and excellent flavor and texture. An enzyme composition for food products containing a peptidase and having substantially no contaminating activity.