The present disclosure relates to extracts and sweetening compositions that may be wholly derived from fruits of the Cucurbitaceae family containing mogroside V and other terpene glycosides. The extracts have a low mogroside V content. The extracts also have a low monosaccharide content, and can be spray-dried to form a spray-dried product. The extracts may be suitable for use as a bulking agent, and can be combined with a terpene glycoside powder. The extracts and sweetening compositions can be used in a food, beverage, and dietary supplement products. Provided are also methods for preparing such extracts and sweetening compositions.

Apparatus and methods for bulk processing items on a conveyor belt using an angled axial fan that extends obliquely into a processing chamber and includes a curved back wall forming an air flow chamber. The angled axial fan enhances air flow around a product being processed on the conveyor belt. A heater employs shrouds and a series of baffle plates held together using a connecting pin to heat circulated air in a low-pressure area below the conveyor belt. Baffles in an upper chamber mix and direct heated, circulated air over the conveyed product.

Apparatus and methods for bulk processing items on a conveyor belt using an angled axial fan that extends obliquely into a processing chamber and includes a curved back wall forming an air flow chamber. The angled axial fan enhances air flow around a product being processed on the conveyor belt. A heater employs shrouds and a series of baffle plates held together using a connecting pin to heat circulated air in a low-pressure area below the conveyor belt. Baffles in an upper chamber mix and direct heated, circulated air over the conveyed product.

The invention discloses odor masking formulations for stench natural compounds, selected from the extracts, fraction and pure phytochemicals that are produced in combination with a natural or synthetic hydrocolloid polymer gum(s). The invention further discloses novel process of producing the odor and taste masking formulations. The invention also discloses taste masking formulations of valerian extracts with no characteristic stench odor & or negligible stench odor in combination with natural hydrocolloid gum such as guar gum, acacia or other polymers. The invention further discloses method of reducing insomnia, anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) using odor masking formulation of the current invention. Importantly, the said odor masked formulation of the present disclosure helps in improving sleep cycle and helps in efficient functioning of brain.

The present invention is a food product comprising dried Kudzu flower powder, and having a water content of 8% by weight or less, and preferably which proportion of fractions passing a sieve having a sieve opening of 2 mm is 20% by weight or more. The food product of the present invention has good taste and odor.

The present invention is a system and method for performing freeze drying of small quantities of a liquid for personal use, wherein a liquid material is disposed within a single-use container, the container is then coupled to a small-scale freeze-drying unit which extracts liquid from the material in the container using a freeze-drying process, and the freeze-dried material is then left in the container and the container is stored until rehydration. The container may be a specialized single-use container that may be used to rehydrate the liquid and then fitted with a delivery device to feed an infant or child.

A method for producing a fruit or vegetable product, wherein the method consists essentially of (a) infusing a whole or sliced fruit or vegetable with an infusible molecule to between 10 and 55° Brix; (b) pre-drying the whole or sliced fruit or vegetable at a temperature between 80° C. and 120° C. to produce a pre-dried fruit or vegetable; (c) exposing the pre-dried fruit or vegetable to freezing temperatures and to vacuum to a temperature between −1° C. and −40° C. and a pressure between 7.5 mmHg and 0.53 mmHg, thereby partially subliming the fruit or vegetable; (d) puffing the fruit or vegetable under vacuum between 0.1 mmHg and 600 mmHg at a temperature between 40° C. and 110° C.; (e) cooling the fruit or vegetable under vacuum to a temperature between 0° C. and 40° C., to thereby produce the fruit or vegetable product.

A method for producing a fruit or vegetable product, wherein the method consists essentially of (a) infusing a whole or sliced fruit or vegetable with an infusible molecule to between 10 and 55° Brix; (b) pre-drying the whole or sliced fruit or vegetable at a temperature between 80° C. and 120° C. to produce a pre-dried fruit or vegetable; (c) exposing the pre-dried fruit or vegetable to freezing temperatures and to vacuum to a temperature between −1° C. and −40° C. and a pressure between 7.5 mmHg and 0.53 mmHg, thereby partially subliming the fruit or vegetable; (d) puffing the fruit or vegetable under vacuum between 0.1 mmHg and 600 mmHg at a temperature between 40° C. and 110° C.; (e) cooling the fruit or vegetable under vacuum to a temperature between 0° C. and 40° C., to thereby produce the fruit or vegetable product.

The present invention abstract describes the steps of a process for the preparation of green tea and the respective end product, wherein, in the initial step of the proposed process, the young leaves (buds) of yerba mate are subjected to steam at between 90 and 100° for a certain time, the moisture is removed from the steaming step, and, after passing through the steam (steaming step) and twisting, the leaves are cooled (cooling step), rolled (1.sup.st rolling), dried for the first time (1.sup.st drying), rolled for the second time (2.sup.nd rolling), dried for the second time (2.sup.nd drying) and separated (segregation step).

The present invention provides a method for producing non-fried noodles having a reduced sodium content and excellent noodle making properties, texture, and flavor. Fresh noodles having excellent noodle making properties, texture, and flavor can be produced by adding 1 to 3% by weight of potassium lactate relative to a main raw material powder such as wheat flour even without adding salt. Further, non-fried noodles having a reduced sodium content and excellent texture and flavor can be produced by steaming the fresh noodles and then drying the noodles by hot air. Moreover, after drying, the non-fried noodles dried by hot air to have a moisture of 7 to 14% by weight is further subjected to a heating process with high-temperature hot air, a gas mixture of high-temperature hot air and water vapor, or superheated steam at 120 to 200° C. until the moisture of the non-fried noodles is reduced to 3 to 6% by weight, which can consequently reduce a harsh taste derived from potassium lactate.