The present invention relates generally to the field of aerated fat-based confectionery material. One aspect of the invention provides an aerated fat-based confectionery material having a continuous lipid phase and a porosity of between 1 and 80%, wherein, at a temperature at which the lipid phase has a solid lipid content between 0.1 and 80, the fat-based confectionery material comprises gas bubbles having at least 50% of their surface occupied by crystals, the crystals comprising a glyceride selected from the group consisting of monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, esters of monoglycerides, esters of diglycerides and combinations of these. Further aspects of the invention are a confectionery product comprising an aerated fat-based confectionery material and a process for forming an aerated fat-based confectionery material.

The present invention relates generally to the field of aerated fat-based confectionery material. One aspect of the invention provides an aerated fat-based confectionery material having a continuous lipid phase and a porosity of between 1 and 80%, wherein, at a temperature at which the lipid phase has a solid lipid content between 0.1 and 80, the fat-based confectionery material comprises gas bubbles having at least 50% of their surface occupied by crystals, the crystals comprising a glyceride selected from the group consisting of monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, esters of monoglycerides, esters of diglycerides and combinations of these. Further aspects of the invention are a confectionery product comprising an aerated fat-based confectionery material and a process for forming an aerated fat-based confectionery material.

For coloring foods, nutritional supplements, cosmetic or pharmaceutical products, the invention provides a dye, which contains at least one pigment in the form of a water-insoluble sulfate, carbonate, or phosphate of at least one alkaline earth metal, which is selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfate, magnesium phosphate, calcium phosphate, and magnesium carbonate.

A predetermined volume of ice-cream mix is provided to an ice cream making system or method. The ice-cream mix is cooled and whipped to form ice cream.

A system for depositing foodstuff material in the fluid state on a foodstuff product, the system including: a product conveying line; at least one foodstuff material dispensing unit including includes a plurality of rows of nozzles; and a dispensing control unit, in which the dispensing unit includes a valve device associated to each individual nozzle to control foodstuff material flow through the nozzle, the valve device including: an open/close member, a solenoid; and a magnetic element operatively connected to the open/close member and mobile between a first position in which it closes the respective nozzle, preventing dispensing of the foodstuff material therethrough, and a second position in which a passage is opened through the nozzle for dispensing the foodstuff material.

A process for producing foodstuff products provided with a respective decoration having a given configuration, the process including the steps of: making a plurality of foodstuff products each having a surface cavity and a profile in plan view that is predetermined to reproduce the given configuration of the respective decoration; advancing the foodstuff products on a conveying line in a direction of advance; via a camera, detecting, for each foodstuff product, the respective cavity; determining one or more data indicating a volume of the cavity of the foodstuff product; providing a fluid foodstuff material dispensing unit, including a plurality of rows of nozzles transverse to the direction of advance; dispensing an amount of fluid foodstuff material in the cavity of each foodstuff product substantially equal to the volume of the cavity.

A method of applying thin layers of a peanut butter and a molten chocolate onto a frozen food product, in some instances fruit, that is at temperatures below 0° C. in such a way that reduces free oil migration out of the peanut butter and prevents discoloration and brittleness of the applied chocolate.

A composition for coating a frozen confectionary includes a fat blend containing (i) an emulsifier that is preferably lecithin, (ii) at least one hardening fat that is preferably one or more of palm oil, palm oil mid fractions, or palm oil softfractions, (iii) one or more soft oils that preferably include canola oil, and (iv) anhydrous milk fat. The coating composition also includes flour and sugars. The composition has a particle size of about 40 .Math.m to about 200 .Math.m, preferably about 90 .Math.m to about 120 .Math.m, and has the sensory characteristics, such as appearance, flavor and texture, of raw cookie dough. Optionally the composition further includes one or more of milk powder, salt or flavor. Preferably the frozen confectionary coated by the composition is an ice cream bar.

The present disclosure provides cold dessert comprising a frozen edible composition and an oil combined with the frozen composition, wherein the cold dessert has an outer surface. Various methods of making the cold dessert are also provided.

The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a coated frozen confection, the process comprising the steps of (a) manufacturing a frozen confection, followed by; (b) imparting thermal energy to the surface of the frozen confection, sufficient to cause at least partial melting of the surface of the frozen confection, followed by; (c) allowing the surface of the frozen confection to refreeze, followed by; (d) coating the frozen confection in a liquid coating, which subsequently solidifies to provide a solid coating.