The present invention relates to a bakery food product produced from a mucilaginous hydrocolloid and a mannan-based hydrocolloid. The bakery food product is low fat and has a long shelf life, and a higher water resistance than traditional dough based foods. Also provided is a method for making the bakery food product, and a liquid mixture for making a bakery product. Also provided are dehydrated food products produced from a mucilaginous hydrocolloid and a mannan-based hydrocolloid.

The present invention relates to a bakery food product produced from a mucilaginous hydrocolloid and a mannan-based hydrocolloid. The bakery food product is low fat and has a long shelf life, and a higher water resistance than traditional dough based foods. Also provided is a method for making the bakery food product, and a liquid mixture for making a bakery product. Also provided are dehydrated food products produced from a mucilaginous hydrocolloid and a mannan-based hydrocolloid.

A wheat bran composition of the invention contains a white wheat as a raw material, wherein the wheat bran composition has a dietary fiber content of 43 mass % or greater and a glucide content of 18 mass % or less. The invention also provides a method for producing a wheat bran composition, involving pulverizing grains of a white wheat to obtain a wheat bran composition having a dietary fiber content of 43 mass % or greater and a glucide content of 18 mass % or less. The invention also provides a premix containing the wheat bran composition. The invention also provides a method for producing a processed food involving using the wheat bran composition as a raw material.

A method for producing pregelatinized cereal flour according to the present invention includes: a pregelatinization step of heating a slurry containing 100 parts by mass of cereal flour and 500 parts by mass or more of water under a condition that the temperature of the slurry is 90° C. or more, to pregelatinize starch contained in the cereal flour; and a drying step of drying the slurry from the pregelatinization step to obtain a solid. In the pregelatinization step, the slurry is stirred while heating the slurry. In the pregelatinization step, the slurry is preferably heated under a condition that the temperature of the slurry is 100° C. or more. According to the present invention, there is provided pregelatinized starch that can improve the taste and texture of food and impart aging resistance to the food.

A method for producing pregelatinized cereal flour according to the present invention includes: a pregelatinization step of heating a slurry containing 100 parts by mass of cereal flour and 500 parts by mass or more of water under a condition that the temperature of the slurry is 90° C. or more, to pregelatinize starch contained in the cereal flour; and a drying step of drying the slurry from the pregelatinization step to obtain a solid. In the pregelatinization step, the slurry is stirred while heating the slurry. In the pregelatinization step, the slurry is preferably heated under a condition that the temperature of the slurry is 100° C. or more. According to the present invention, there is provided pregelatinized starch that can improve the taste and texture of food and impart aging resistance to the food.

A high protein food article having a protein content of at least 20% by weight of the food article is provided. The high protein food article has a desirable texture that is stable over an extended shelf life. The high protein food article includes powdered protein ingredient and visible particulates that include protein crisp particulates.

The texture and flavor of bran and germ for the production of whole wheat flour and for the production of baked goods containing whole wheat flour is improved by treating bran and germ with water and an enzyme composition comprising xyanase, pentosanase, or mixtures thereof to hydrate the bran and germ and to enzymatically convert insoluble fiber of the bran and germ into soluble fiber and sugars. The enzymatic conversion is conducted so as to decrease the water holding capacity of the bran and germ and provides a bran and germ product having reduced grittiness and a reduced whole wheat flavor, while avoiding adverse effects on baking functionality. The enzymatic treatment with the xylanase and/or pentosanase may be initiated upon whole wheat berries or grains during tempering or it may be initiated upon a separated bran and germ fraction obtained after grinding or milling of whole wheat berries or grains.

The texture and flavor of bran and germ for the production of whole wheat flour and for the production of baked goods containing whole wheat flour is improved by treating bran and germ with water and an enzyme composition comprising xyanase, pentosanase, or mixtures thereof to hydrate the bran and germ and to enzymatically convert insoluble fiber of the bran and germ into soluble fiber and sugars. The enzymatic conversion is conducted so as to decrease the water holding capacity of the bran and germ and provides a bran and germ product having reduced grittiness and a reduced whole wheat flavor, while avoiding adverse effects on baking functionality. The enzymatic treatment with the xylanase and/or pentosanase may be initiated upon whole wheat berries or grains during tempering or it may be initiated upon a separated bran and germ fraction obtained after grinding or milling of whole wheat berries or grains.

There is described an confectionery composition comprising edible particulate material comprising from 80% to 100% by weight based on total weight of the material of a processable, microbially released, flavour acceptable bran-like material, characterized by the following parameters: (i) mean particle size by volume (Vol. MPS) of from 5 to 100 microns; (ii) volume particle size distribution (Vol. PSD) characterized by the parameters: D90.3 less than or equal to 350 microns, and D50.3 less than or equal to 50 microns, and optionally D10.3 less than or equal to 15 microns, (iii) mean particle sphericity as measured by a Smean of greater than or equal to 0.75; (iv) where processable means has oil holding capacity (OHC) of from 0.7 to 1.5; (v) where microbially released means material has common microbes below given limits (preferably free of common microbes) (vi) where flavour acceptable denotes a lipase activity (LA) and a peroxidase activity (PA) both less than or equal to 2 U/g and optionally a low degree of roasted flavour notes as defined herein. The bran-like material used in the confectionery compositions may added as a bulk ingredient to replace sugar and/or to provide confectionery fillings and/or coatings having improved hiding ability when used as layers in multilayer confectionery products.

There is described an confectionery composition comprising edible particulate material comprising from 80% to 100% by weight based on total weight of the material of a processable, microbially released, flavour acceptable bran-like material, characterized by the following parameters: (i) mean particle size by volume (Vol. MPS) of from 5 to 100 microns; (ii) volume particle size distribution (Vol. PSD) characterized by the parameters: D90.3 less than or equal to 350 microns, and D50.3 less than or equal to 50 microns, and optionally D10.3 less than or equal to 15 microns, (iii) mean particle sphericity as measured by a Smean of greater than or equal to 0.75; (iv) where processable means has oil holding capacity (OHC) of from 0.7 to 1.5; (v) where microbially released means material has common microbes below given limits (preferably free of common microbes) (vi) where flavour acceptable denotes a lipase activity (LA) and a peroxidase activity (PA) both less than or equal to 2 U/g and optionally a low degree of roasted flavour notes as defined herein. The bran-like material used in the confectionery compositions may added as a bulk ingredient to replace sugar and/or to provide confectionery fillings and/or coatings having improved hiding ability when used as layers in multilayer confectionery products.