The present invention concerns a non-fatty palatability enhancer for use in cat food comprising an amino reactant having a ratio AAS/AAT of sulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total free amino acids (AAT) from 1 to 12.8% by weight, and a carbonyl composition comprising more than 20% up to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

The present invention relates to compounds and compositions for use in enhancing flavor and umami taste of food products. Particularly, the present invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I) and compositions comprising them.

##STR00001##

Sweet tea-derived compositions, including glycosylated compositions thereof, and Maillard reaction products thereof are described. These compositions provide improved taste profiles and can be used as sweeteners or a flavorants in consumable products.

A method of providing improved mouthfeel in consumables having a fat content of about 20% or less is provided. The method includes the step of adding to a consumable composition base from about 0.02 parts per billion to about 25 parts per million based on the total weight of the consumable composition of an Amadori compound, without any subsequent heating. The Amadori compound is a reaction product of glucose with proline.

The use of a compound according to formula (I) or the edible salts thereof in an edible composition to mask or modulate an undesired taste or off-taste contained in the edible composition ##STR00001##
wherein
R.sub.1 is an alkyl residue containing 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or an alkene residue containing from 9 to 25 carbon atoms with 1 to 6 double bonds, R.sub.1 together with the carbonyl group to which it is attached is a residue of a carboxylic acid, and NR.sub.2R.sub.3, in which R.sub.3 is H or together with R.sub.2 and the N-atom to which they are attached, a 5-membered ring, is a residue of an amino acid, in particular a proteinogenic amino acid, ornithine, gamma-aminobutyric acid or beta alanine, or a 1-amino cycloalkyl carboxylic acid.

The use of a compound according to formula (I) or the edible salts thereof in an edible composition to mask or modulate an undesired taste or off-taste contained in the edible composition ##STR00001##
wherein
R.sub.1 is an alkyl residue containing 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or an alkene residue containing from 9 to 25 carbon atoms with 1 to 6 double bonds, R.sub.1 together with the carbonyl group to which it is attached is a residue of a carboxylic acid, and NR.sub.2R.sub.3, in which R.sub.3 is H or together with R.sub.2 and the N-atom to which they are attached, a 5-membered ring, is a residue of an amino acid, in particular a proteinogenic amino acid, ornithine, gamma-aminobutyric acid or beta alanine, or a 1-amino cycloalkyl carboxylic acid.

Meat substitutes include at least a dried milk product, a carbohydrate, and a liquid such as water. The dried milk product includes one or both of non-fat dry milk and buttermilk powder. The carbohydrate includes one or both of syrup solids, such as corn syrup solids, and a starch, such as modified corn starch. The meat substitutes include amino acids and sugars that undergo a Maillard reaction during preparation of the meat substitutes, yielding flavor compounds in, and non-enzymatic browning of, the meat substitutes. The meat substitutes can be used in the production of food products such as dairy-based jerky.

Compositions comprising glycosylated small molecule weight steviol glycosides (G-SMW-SGs) and glycosylated small molecule weight steviol glycoside Maillard reaction products (G-SMW-SG-MRPs) are described. These compositions provide improved taste profiles and can be used as sweeteners or a flavorants in consumable products, including foods and beverages.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a flavor by a co-fermentation process using mixed fermentation of two or more different microorganisms producing different products. The method of producing a flavor may produce a natural flavor capable of improving the taste and aroma of food and the overall sensory properties of food through a fermentation broth containing amino acids, nucleic acids and/or organic acids, which is produced by mixed fermentation of different microorganisms producing different products, that is, different kinds of amino acids, nucleic acids and/or organic acids. This flavor may be used in various food fields.

An in-oil-heated substance of cyclotene, an in-oil-heated substance of a cyclotene analogous compound, or an in-oil-heated substance of a substance capable of producing cyclotene or a cyclotene analogous compound by heating are effective as mouth-coating feel enhancers.