The present disclosure generally relates to beverages, and to systems and methods for creating beverages. In certain aspects, a beverage precursor can be contained within a gel, such as a carboxylate agarose gel or other gel suitable for human consumption. The precursor can be mixed with water to form a beverage. In some cases, a composition comprising the beverage precursor may also contain ice, e.g., a gel may be frozen or embedded in the ice. The ice may be heated or mixed with water (or otherwise physically disrupted) to release the precursor, which mixes with the water to form the beverage. A variety of beverage precursors are possible, including alcoholic beverages (e.g., beer, wine, rum, cognac, cocktails, etc.), juices, etc. In addition, in certain embodiments, the precursors may also include gas-forming agents, and/or other ingredients suitable for drinks, such as sugar, artificial sweetener, food coloring, flavoring, etc. Other aspects include methods for making or using such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.

The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, and systems, for producing frozen confections and conditioning ice for use in frozen confections. The disclosure further extends to apparatuses, methods, and systems for providing a frozen confection machine that is portable and sized for easy storage as well as a portable frozen convection experience.

A low osmolality oral rehydration slush composition is provided. The oral rehydration slush composition includes: water; a source of carbohydrate; a source of electrolytes; and a source of citrate. The oral rehydration slush composition has an osmolality of 70 mOsm/kg H.sub.2O to 350 mOsm/kg H2O. The oral rehydration slush composition can be used to treat individuals suffering from dehydration.

A beverage nucleator system for a supercooled beverage container may include a frame for receiving a beverage container and an ultrasonic device positioned therein. The frame may include a beverage container aperture therein sized to allow direct contact between an ultrasonic transmitter coupled to the ultrasonic device and a closure on the container. The ultrasonic transmitter may operate at a 28 kHz frequency with a power of 5 W for 1-5 seconds. The beverage nucleator system can operate without requiring a fluid or gel transmission medium.

A system, machines and consumables for the preparation of portioned amount of a cooled edible product constituting a defined number of servings which may be 1, 2, 3, etc. are provided. One example of such an edible product is ice cream.

A machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products, including: a container holding the product and a dispenser. A stirrer, located inside the container, rotates about an axis to mix the product. An actuator is connected to the stirrer to rotate the stirrer. A refrigeration system, includes a closed circuit to circulate a primary heat exchanger fluid, an evaporator associated with the container, a compressor, a first air condenser and a throttle element; a control unit; a second condenser regulator for regulating the flow of the fluid and operating on the first and/or second condenser. The control unit drives the regulator to regulate the flow of fluid in the first and second condensers as a function of an operating parameter of the machine.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing edible ice products comprising: (a) a thermally insulated food grade material chamber; (b) at least one atomizing beverage nozzle(s) inserted in said thermally insulated chamber for spraying beverage droplets into said thermally insulated chamber; (c) at least one beverage valve(s), disposed between a beverage source and said atomizing beverage nozzle(s), for controlling the beverage flow rate into said chamber; (d) at least one gas expansion nozzle(s), inserted in said thermally insulated chamber, for expanding the gas in its liquid state to its gaseous state, and for jetting gas on said beverage droplets, in said thermally insulated chamber; (e) at least one gas flow regulator(s), disposed between a gas source and said gas nozzle(s) for regulating the gas flow rate into said gas expansion nozzle (s); (f) a controller for controlling said beverage valve(s) and said gas flow regulator(s); and (g) wherein said controller controls said beverage valve(s) and said gas flow regulator(s) for ensuring that said sprayed beverage droplets meet the jetted gas for freezing said droplets for forming a texture controlled edible ice product in said thermally insulated chamber.

The present invention provides an ice shaver with a power control drive system to rotate the ice block and blade with respect to one another and to press the ice block and the blade together. The power drive system comprises an in-line, over-center, linear throw column extending through an opening in an enclosure and carrying a spike plate. A motor is carried by and contained within the column and movable with the column toward a shave deck with a blade. A perimeter size and shape of the column matches a perimeter size and shape of the opening. The column substantially closes the opening in the enclosure.

A layered drink or dessert dispensing apparatus that accepts a single serving container and transfers the container through a grater that transfers the product into a cup glass or bowl while maintaining the layers. The dispensing apparatus pushes the product through the container while the grater turns. The container is configured in a non-round shape, so the consumer container does not rotate as the grinder or grater is rotated under the container. The grater has one blade or a plurality of teeth or scoops that “cut” through the layered product in the consumer container to extract, remove and scoop the beverage or dessert. The course configuration of the grater minimizes harm to pulp, fibers and/or seeds that may exist in the drink or dessert. Different layers with different densities and material are all equally removed and fall through the dispensing apparatus.

A microchannel freezing cylinder assembly is disclosed that includes an inner cylinder located within an outer cylinder. Multiple grooves are located on the exterior of the inner cylinder that form multiple microchannels when the inner cylinder is located within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder includes an inlet header and a distribution header, with multiple orifices located in a ridge between the inlet header and distribution header. The distribution header is in fluid communication with the microchannels.