The present invention relates to a method of producing compositions with enhanced color properties and to compositions obtainable by such a method, especially cocoa-based compositions with enhanced color properties. The method comprises the steps of providing an initial composition comprising a polyphenol, adding an aqueous base to the initial composition to produce an aqueous mixture, heating the aqueous mixture to a temperature of 50 to 100 C. during a time period of 120 to 300 minutes, cooling the aqueous mixture, and optionally adjusting the pH of the aqueous mixture to between 6 and 9. The method further comprises oxygenising the aqueous base and/or the aqueous mixture, wherein the produced food product comprises chromophores having an absorption maximum between 505 to 515 nm and/or 428 to 438 nm.

The present invention provides a method for forming caramels having reduced low molecular weight species such as 4-MeI. The low-4-MeI caramels produced by this method have improved stability and taste relative to those known in the art. The invention also extends to the caramels produced by the disclosed methods and the use of such caramels in food and beverages.

The present invention provides a method for forming caramels having reduced low molecular weight species such as 4-MeI. The low-4-MeI caramels produced by this method have improved stability and taste relative to those known in the art. The invention also extends to the caramels produced by the disclosed methods and the use of such caramels in food and beverages.

The present invention provides a method for forming caramels having reduced low molecular weight species such as 4-MeI. The low-4-MeI caramels produced by this method have improved stability and taste relative to those known in the art. The invention also extends to the caramels produced by the disclosed methods and the use of such caramels in food and beverages.

The present invention provides a method for forming caramels having reduced low molecular weight species such as 4-MeI. The low-4-MeI caramels produced by this method have improved stability and taste relative to those known in the art. The invention also extends to the caramels produced by the disclosed methods and the use of such caramels in food and beverages.

The present application relates to a microcapsule comprising a core comprising one or more hydrophobic agents dispersed in a gel matrix; a proteolytically-cleavable outer polymer shell surrounding said core; and an enzymatically-cleavable lipid layer between said core and said shell. Also described are methods of making and using the microcapsules.

The present application relates to a microcapsule comprising a core comprising one or more hydrophobic agents dispersed in a gel matrix; a proteolytically-cleavable outer polymer shell surrounding said core; and an enzymatically-cleavable lipid layer between said core and said shell. Also described are methods of making and using the microcapsules.

The present invention provides a method for forming caramels having reduced low molecular weight species such as 4-MeI. The low-4-MeI caramels produced by this method have improved stability and taste relative to those known in the art. The invention also extends to the caramels produced by the disclosed methods and the use of such caramels in food and beverages.

The present invention provides a method for forming caramels having reduced low molecular weight species such as 4-MeI. The low-4-MeI caramels produced by this method have improved stability and taste relative to those known in the art. The invention also extends to the caramels produced by the disclosed methods and the use of such caramels in food and beverages.

A method of preparing colored products from edible materials comprises processing Genipa americana fruit juice, which contains genipin, genipin derivatives, or pre-genipin compounds, with other edible juices or extracts which contain nitrogenous compounds such as amino acids, polypeptides, or proteins. The generated natural colored products have excellent stability and can be used in a broad range of applications including beverages, foodstuffs, drugs, dietary supplements, cosmetics, personal care stuffs, and animal feeds.