There is described an 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: D.sub.90,3 less than or equal to 350 microns, and D.sub.50,3 less than or equal to 50 microns, and optionally D.sub.10,3 less than or equal to 15 microns, (iii) mean particle sphericity as measured by a S.sub.mean 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 optionally a low degree of roasted flavour notes as defined herein. The bran as described may added to foodstuffs for example be used as a bulk ingredient to replace sugar and/or to provide filling and/or coatings having improved hiding ability when used as layers in multilayer foodstuffs.

A food bar, and a method for making the food bar. The food bar includes a crust, the crust having a binding agent including a sesame component, the sesame component including a combination of sesame powder, sesame paste. The food bar also includes a filling within the crust, The crust to filling weight ratio between is about 1.1.

A food bar, and a method for making the food bar. The food bar includes a crust, the crust having a binding agent including a sesame component, the sesame component including a combination of sesame powder, sesame paste. The food bar also includes a filling within the crust, The crust to filling weight ratio between is about 1.1.

A food bar, and a method for making the food bar. The food bar includes a crust, the crust having a binding agent including a sesame component, the sesame component including a combination of sesame powder, sesame paste. The food bar also includes a filling within the crust, The crust to filling weight ratio between is about 1.1.

A food bar, and a method for making the food bar. The food bar includes a crust, the crust having a binding agent including a sesame component, the sesame component including a combination of sesame powder, sesame paste. The food bar also includes a filling within the crust, The crust to filling weight ratio between is about 1.1.

One variation of a serving unit includes: a base; a wall extending from the base, including a frustoconical section, and defining a central axis; a rim extending from an upper edge of the wall; a seal extending across the rim and transiently enclosing a cavity defined by the wall and the base; a beater arranged within the cavity, configured to rotate about the central axis, including blades configured to extend along the base and up a portion of the wall, and including a drive coupling coaxial with the central axis; and a dry powdered food product arranged within the cavity and including a first quantity of flavoring, a second quantity of sweetener, and a third quantity of thickener.

Disclosed is a method for processing cocoa beans or nibs comprising the steps of: (a) adding water to cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; (b) wet grinding said suspension; (c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70° C. or less; (d) separating the suspension into: a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) comprising cocoa butter, and a solid phase comprising cocoa powder and fluid components; (e) continuously separating the fluid components from the solid phase obtained in step (d) to obtain cocoa aroma and cocoa powder by supplying a flow of said solid phase to a mixing device; wherein the mixing device comprises: a cylindrical, tubular body with a horizontal axis having an inlet opening for the solid phase, an outlet opening for the dried solid phase and an optional outlet opening for a vapor phase comprising cocoa aroma; end plates closing the tubular body at its opposite ends; a coaxial jacket heating or cooling the internal wall of the tubular body to a temperature of from 55° C. to 150° C.; and a bladed rotor, which is supported for rotation in the tubular body, its blades being arranged as a helix and oriented for centrifuging the solid phase and simultaneously transporting it towards the outlet opening.

Disclosed is a method for processing cocoa beans or nibs comprising the steps of: (a) adding water to cocoa beans or nibs to form a suspension; (b) wet grinding said suspension; (c) subjecting said suspension to a heat treatment at a temperature of 70° C. or less; (d) separating the suspension into: a water phase (heavy phase), a fat phase (light phase) comprising cocoa butter, and a solid phase comprising cocoa powder and fluid components; (e) continuously separating the fluid components from the solid phase obtained in step (d) to obtain cocoa aroma and cocoa powder by supplying a flow of said solid phase to a mixing device; wherein the mixing device comprises: a cylindrical, tubular body with a horizontal axis having an inlet opening for the solid phase, an outlet opening for the dried solid phase and an optional outlet opening for a vapor phase comprising cocoa aroma; end plates closing the tubular body at its opposite ends; a coaxial jacket heating or cooling the internal wall of the tubular body to a temperature of from 55° C. to 150° C.; and a bladed rotor, which is supported for rotation in the tubular body, its blades being arranged as a helix and oriented for centrifuging the solid phase and simultaneously transporting it towards the outlet opening.

A low sugar content sweet food spread is provided said food spread comprising at least one of a cocoa product and a nut product, at least one vegetable oil, at least one polysaccharide, at least one flour and at least one sweetener. The at least one vegetable oil is substantially free or free of palm oil and the sugar content of the spread is less than about 20% by weight of the total spread. The food spread possesses excellent properties and is advantageously spreadable at low temperature.

A food sweetener is a powder having an average particle size of, at most, 1,500 μm and including pulverized dried fruit, vegetables or both fruit and vegetables. The powder, on a dry basis, has at least 30% wt and at most 70% wt of total sugars, and has a moisture content of from 1 to 6% by weight. Chocolate products may incorporate the powder and a method for producing the power is taught.