A process for preparing a ready-to-eat mature coconut in which coconuts are selected based on its flotation characteristics, higher floaters being more mature. An oval or circular groove is carved partially into the bottom of the coconut shell. The coconut is then sealed into a heat tolerant plastic bag in which it is cooked, then frozen. Pieces of coconut husk are roasted until they turn black, then boiled in water to obtain a vapor that condenses to a liquid extraction, which is added to the bag before sealing it. The sealed bag is then heated to obtain sweet coconut water, some separation of coconut meat from the coconut shell, and the expansion of the coconut water during the spraying of steam to slightly split the coconut shell along the carved groove whereby the tip of a spoon can be used to pry off the coconut shell.

The embodiments herein relate to a composition of real fruit drink concentrate, a method of making the real fruit drink concentrate and a method of making hot as well as cold real fruit drinks. The real fruit drink concentrate comprises a plurality of fruits, spices, herbs, flowers, lemon juice, sugar and water. The method of preparing a real fruit drink concentrate comprises preparing a mixture. The mixture is prepared by mixing fresh or frozen fruit pieces, spices, sugar, lemon juice and a quantity sufficient water in a container. The mixture is cooked in a pre-heated oven at 420° F. till the caramelization of fruits and sugar occurs. A boiling water is added to the mixture and cooked again. The total cooking time is 45 minutes and the boiling water is added after at least ⅔.sup.rd of the total cooking time. The mixture is canned. The canning is done by using a boiling water bath for 5-10 minutes. The mixture is stored in sealed jars in a cool dark place.

An assembly may include a shelf-stable pouch for fruits or vegetables. The assembly may comprise a pouch having a closed condition and an open configuration. The dosed configuration may be configured to seal portions of at least one of the fruits and vegetables and brine prior to heating the pouch for pasteurization. The open condition may allow for the removal and serving of the portions after pasteurization from heating,

A digital pressure canner and related methods of operation that provide for improved safety and consistency during a food canning process by reducing temperature over and undershoot. The digital pressure canner includes a digital control operating with inputs from digital sensors to accurately control the canning temperature during the canning process. By reducing over and undershoot of canning temperatures, foods within the pressure canner are maintained at temperatures sufficient to kill any bacteria or microorganisms for the entire canning cycle. In order to verify operation of the digital canner at sufficient canning temperatures, mechanical safety devices, for example, a pressure relief valve can be utilized in conjunction with digital controllers and sensors to provide audible and visual feedback to a user during the canning process.

The present invention provides a vacuum sealed, container suitable for containing preserved pickled food. In a preferred approach, the container includes at least one foil wall formed from a flexible foil and defining a chamber; pickled food within the chamber; and brine, in which the food is immersed, and which fills the chamber when the chamber is sealed. Preferably, the ratio of brine to pickled food by mass is in the range 1:2.5 to :5. The claimed containers can reduce the mess associated with eating pickled foods from traditional containers, and can assist in improving the shelf life of such foods.

A method for preparing a shelf-stable, high-moisture food product is disclosed, including drying the pre-pasteurized food item to a water activity between 0.86 and 0.94; and vacuum packing the dried food item in an oxygen impermeable and water-impermeable membrane.

A container includes a metal end applied and sealed to an all-thermoplastic container body by a crimp-seaming or double-seaming operation. The metal end has an outer curl joined to a chuck wall that extends down from the curl. One or both of the inner surface of the container side wall and the outer surface of the chuck wall has/have a heat-sealable material thereon. The metal end is crimp-seamed or double-seamed to the container body and the heat-sealable material(s) are heated to soften or melt such that the interface between the chuck wall and the side wall is fused. The interface is oriented along a direction relative to internal pressure exerted on the metal end such that stress on the interface caused by the internal pressure is predominantly shear stress.

An assembly may include a shelf-stable pouch for fruits or vegetables. The assembly may comprise a pouch having a closed condition and an open configuration. The closed configuration may be configured to seal portions of at least one of the fruits and vegetables and brine prior to heating the pouch for pasteurization. The open condition may allow for the removal and serving of the portions after pasteurization from heating.

A process (10) is proposed for producing a precooked food product based on meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, pasta or a sauce. The process (10) comprises: providing (21-27) a packaging containing a food product in a volume insulated from the external environment; extracting (29) air from said volume such that a vacuum condition is created therein; maintaining (31) the packaging at a constant temperature of between 40 C. and 80 C. for a predetermined first time interval, subjecting (35) the packaging to a predetermined pressure of between 250 MPa and 600 MPa for a second time interval less than the first time interval, and bringing (33,37) the packaging to a predetermined temperature of between 0 C. and 4 C. at the end of the first time interval. Further proposed is a precooked food product obtained through the process, its use for the preparation of a gastronomic product and a kit for the preparation of a gastronomic product comprising the said precooked food product.

The present invention discloses a new method of packing and preserving fruits in liquid (fruit juice, syrup, water, etc). The method comprises packaging fruits, where the fruit is filled into a specifically formulated plastic container, topped with liquid, dosed with inert gases to enforce can integrity, seamed with metal can ends, and thermally processed to eliminate viable microorganisms. The process is unique in that by adjusting thermal processing parameters and manipulating the seam specifications, replacing the metal cans by a flexible and sustainable plastic can, becomes a practical alternative.