Frozen Tea Treat with Non-Synthetic Ingredients and Method of Making the Same

Abstract

The invention relates to ice lollys comprising a frozen liquid tea based composition comprising: water, tea powder or tea concentrate, methyl glucoside coconut oil ester, guar, gellan or pectin gum, and USDA certified organic non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) grown fruit or vegetables in the form of a concentrate of liquid, puree, or powder. The processing and subsequent packaging allows the composition to be processed without heating and/or pasteurization but remain shelf stable in the frozen form.

Claims

1. A frozen liquid tea based composition comprising: water, non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) grown tea powder and/or tea concentrate, methyl glucoside coconut oil ester, guar, gellan or pectin gum, and USDA certified organic non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) grown fruit or vegetables in the form of a concentrate of liquid, puree, or powder.

2. The frozen liquid composition of claim 1, wherein said tea is USDA certified organic non-GMO instant tea in that said tea has been previously steeped and dried and powdered prior to rehydration.

3. The frozen liquid composition of claim 1, wherein said tea is a USDA certified organic black non-GMO tea concentrate in that said concentrated black tea is tea that has been steeped such that at least 80% of the water used for steeping is removed either during or after being steeped.

4. The frozen liquid composition of claim3, wherein said tea is Coopers Tea which is concentrated in a form such that a ratio of 5:1 parts water to concentrated tea forms a mixture of tea that is consumable and palatable to the consumer.

5. The frozen liquid composition of claim 2, wherein said instant tea is a powdered extract form of rooibos tea, the leaves of which are obtained from the aspalathus linearis bush plant grown primarily in South America.

6. The frozen liquid composition of claim 2, wherein said tea is a peppermint tea essence.

7. The frozen liquid composition of claim 2, wherein said tea is a white tea distillate.

8. The frozen liquid composition of claim 1, wherein fruits or vegetables in the form of powders, purees, or concentrates comprise one or more of the following USDA certified organic, non-genetically modified organism (GMO) based ingredients: apple puree, blueberry juice concentrate, blueberry puree, cherry concentrate, coconut cream, coconut water powder, dehydrated coconut flower blossom nectar, guar gum, lemon juice concentrate, liquid honey, mango puree, peach juice concentrate, pineapple juice concentrate, strawberry puree, vanilla extract, lemon essence, citric acid, and cocoa distillate.

9. The liquid composition of claim 4, wherein the natural flavor comprises one or more of the following ingredients: blood orange flavor, lemon flavor extract, chocolate flavor, vanilla extract, green tea flavor, and blueberry flavor.

10. The methyl glucoside coconut oil ester of claim 1, wherein said ester is obtained from the fresh sap of coconut tree inflorescence and said sap is evaporated until it turns into fine granules.

11. A method of forming a frozen liquid composition, wherein said composition is water, tea powder or tea concentrate, methyl glucoside coconut oil ester, guar, gellan or pectin gum, and USDA certified organic non-genetically modified organism (GMO) grown fruit or vegetables in the form of a concentrate of liquid, puree, or powder comprising the steps of: mixing the ingredients of said composition into a homogeneous mixture within a mixing device kept at or below 4 degrees Centigrade thereby keeping said mixture at or below 4 degrees Centigrade while filling and mixing said mixture into a container; (ii) removing said mixture from said container after said mixture is homogeneous; (iii) filling a cavity with said mixture while maintaining said mixture at or below 4 degrees Centigrade; (iv) continuously cooling said mixture and; (v) freezing said mixture within said cavity.

12. A process for making a frozen liquid tea based composition comprising: water, non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) grown tea powder or tea concentrate, methyl glucoside coconut oil ester, guar, gellan or pectin gum, and USDA certified organic non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) grown fruit or vegetables in the form of a concentrate of liquid, puree, or powder, wherein said process includes preparing, mixing, and filling said composition into a ice lolly cavity at or below 4 degrees Centigrade.

13. The process of claim 11, wherein said tea is USDA certified organic non-GMO instant tea in that said tea has been previously steeped and dried and powdered prior to rehydration.

14. The process of claim 11, wherein said tea is a USDA certified organic non-GMO black tea concentrate in that said concentrated black tea is tea that has been steeped such that at least 80% of the water used for steeping is removed either during or after being steeped.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein said tea is Coopers Tea which is concentrated in a form such that a ratio of 5:1 parts water to concentrated tea forms a mixture of tea that is consumable and palatable to the consumer.

16. The process of claim 13, wherein said instant tea is a powdered extract form of rooibos tea, the leaves of which are obtained from the aspalathus linearis bush plant grown primarily in South America.

17. The process of claim 13, wherein said tea is a peppermint tea essence.

18. The process of claim 13, wherein said tea is a white tea distillate.

19. The process of claim 13, wherein fruits or vegetable in the form of powders, purees, or concentrates comprises one or more of the following USDA certified organic, non-genetically modified organism (GMO), kosher certified ingredients: apple puree, blueberry juice concentrate, blueberry puree, cherry concentrate, coconut cream, coconut water powder, dehydrated coconut flower blossom nectar, guar gum, lemon juice concentrate, liquid honey, mango puree, peach juice concentrate, pineapple juice concentrate, strawberry puree, vanilla extract, lemon essence, citric acid, and cocoa distillate.

20. The process of claim 12, wherein said methyl glucoside coconut oil ester is obtained from the fresh sap of coconut tree inflorescence and said sap is evaporated until it turns into fine granules.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a product flow chart describing the process for manufacturing the tea based composition ice lollys according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present invention relates to preparing liquid tea-based compositions for processing frozen ice lollys comprising certified USDA organic, kosher, non-GMO fruit and vegetable ingredients and apparatus for packaging the same. Further explanation and variations of the present invention are described below with reference to FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a flowchart that describes the method of processing the tea-based ice lolly compositions of the present disclosure according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. To begin the process, perishable non-GMO, USDA certified organic, kosher ingredients are delivered (101) to the loading dock and stored at or below 4 degrees Centigrade in a refrigerated container (102). Also received (103) are dry organic non-GMO ingredients that are stored in an air-conditioned warehouse (104). Further, organic flavors and colors (if any) are also received at the loading dock (105) and stored in the same warehouse (104) as the dry ingredients. Next (107), the necessary and required amounts of cold powdered tea is measured and prepared by mixing in purified preconditioned water which can be accomplished by any one of a number of conventional means including reverse osmosis, distillation, deionization, filtration, etc. for adding to the mixing tank (107, 108, and 109). Also subsequently measured and added in the necessary and required amounts are the fruit (and/or vegetables), (108) as well as a stabilizer such as the organic guar gum into the mixing tank once the tea has reached homogeneous conditions. In this case, homogeneity is measured by the absence of any remaining solids or particles measured or seen visibly. This ensures the tea is providing its full set of attributes and properties as described in detail above. Finally, the ingredients are blended with or without the sweetener(s), specifically coconut palm nectar (coconut sugar), in the mixing tank (107,108,109) and mixed for the appropriate time at or below 4 degrees Centigrade. For emphasis, the entire process is performed at or below 4 degrees Centigrade prior to freezing to ensure non bacterial contamination of the composition before, during and after mixing. The preferred sweetener of choice is known by its latin name “cocos nucifer” which is certified organic tree sap that has been prepared by taking the sap of the coconut tree inflorescence (coconut fruits are not used for the manufacturing of this product) and the sap is evaporated until it turns into fine granules. The nutritional analysis of this sweetener which is manufactured and distributed through Sunopta which can be found at the following internet website address: www. sunopta.com and tradinorganic, which can be found at the following internet website address, www.tradinorganic.com, is as follows:

TABLE-US-00001 Fructose <0.25% Glucose <0.25% Lactose <0.25% Maltose <0.25% Sucrose 93.16% Total sugars 93.82% Ash 2.265% Calcium 0.472 mg/100 g  Carbohydrates 94.72% Iron  1.2 mg/100 g Moisture  1.18% Protein  1.42% Sodium 7.17 mg/100 g Total Dietary Fiber  0.9% Total Fat 0.424% Vitamin A (Beta Carotene) <100 IU/100 g Vitamin C <0.5 mg/100 g Calories  388 cal/100 g

[0033] Once mixing is complete, a valve on the mixing tank (107,108, 109) is opened and the mixed slurry is dispensed into the in-line molding equipment, such as a “Vita-line” (110) from Gram Equipment, Inc., New Jersey, and the freezing process is begun. At this step in the process, the mold cavity and accessories (111, 112) which are received and stored in warehouse are sent to the end of the Vita-line (110) for filling so that freezing can occur in the proper mold cavities prior to final packaging and labeling. Wrapping and boxing (113) is performed next, followed by a quality control section utilizing a “safeline” metal detector (114), such as those manufactured by Mettler-Toledo, to ensure no foreign metal objects are trapped in the final packaged products.

[0034] Subsequent to full quality inspection, the ice lollys are packed into master cases (115), which must be dated and coded and sealed (116). The cases are then palletized and labeled as “organic” (117) prior to being placed in a deep freezer (118) set for or below −23 degrees Centigrade. Ice lollys are then shipped (119) by truck, rail or air to the appropriate distribution wholesale or retail facilities.

[0035] The present invention preferably comes in at least nine flavor compositions, including; Berries 'N Cherries, Dark Chocolate Mint, Mango, Southern Ice Tea, and Toasted Coconut. Each flavored composition comprises a unique tea based ingredient profile and is formulated with a variety of the fruits and/or vegetables which must also be USDA certified organic, non-GMO and kosher graded.

[0036] Tables 1-9 below indicate an exemplary ingredient profile, formulation, and nutritional facts panel for each of the aforementioned and additional flavors according to at least one embodiment of the present invention:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Berries N′ Cherries Ingredients % kg Filtered water, (Liters = kg at room 60.0855% 2693.398 temperature) FTO Rooibos Tea Extract Powder 0.0783% 3.509 FTO White Tea Distillate 0.2642% 11.843 Organic Vanilla Extract 2 fold 0.1957% 8.772 Organic Cherry Juice Concentrate 68 BRIX 7.1135% 318.871 Organic Strawberry Puree 14.5662% 652.947 Organic Blueberry Juice Concentrate, 1.5438% 69.204 65°Brix, frozen Organic Blueberry Puree 6.5708% 294.542 Organic Guar Gum 6068 0.1566% 7.018 Organic Dehydrated Coconut Flower 9.4255% 422.509 Blossom Nectar TOTAL 100.0000% 4482.612 NUTRITION INFORMATION Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 bar (52 g) Servings Per Container Amount per Serving Calories 30 Calories from Fat 0 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0 g 0% Saturated Fat 0 g 0% Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 0 mg 0% Total Carbohydrates 2% 7 g Dietary Fiber 0 g 0% Sugars 6 g Protein 0 g Vitamin A 0%* Vitamin C 4% Calcium 0%* Iron 2% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Calories: 2,000 2,500 Total Fat Less than 65 g 80 g Sat Fat Less than 20 g 25 g Cholesterol Less than 300 mg  300 mg Sodium Less than 2,400 mg 2,400 mg  Total Carb 300 g 375 g  Dietary Fiber 25 g 30 g

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Tropical Mango Ingredients % kg Filtered water, (Liters/kg at room temperature) 66.470% 2979.586 FTO Rooibos Tea Extract Powder  0.206% 9.216 Organic Vanilla Extract 2 fold 0.3855% 17.280 Organic Mango Puree 20.0082%  896.889 Organic Pineapple Juice Concentrate 2.6535% 118.947 Organic Guar Gum 6068 (Food Specialties) 0.2079% 9.320 Organic Dehydrated Coconut Flower Blossom 10.0181%  449.072 Nectar Organic Citric Acid 0.0514% 2.304 TOTAL 100.000%  4482.615 NUTRITION INFORMATION Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 bar (52 g) Servings Per Container Amount per Serving Calories 25 Calories from Fat 0 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0 g 0% Saturated Fat 0 g 0% Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 0 mg 0% Total Carbohydrates 2% 7 g Dietary Fiber 0 g 0% Sugars 6 g Protein 0 g Vitamin A 8%* Vitamin C 6% Calcium 0%* Iron 0% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Calories: 2,000 2,500 Total Fat Less than 65 g 80 g Sat Fat Less than 20 g 25 g Cholesterol Less than 300 mg  300 mg Sodium Less than 2,400 mg 2,400 mg  Total 300 g 375 g  Carbohydrate Dietary Fiber 25 g 30 g

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Southern Iced Tea Ingredients % kg Filtered water, (Liters/kg at room temperature) 47.881% 2146.325 Organic Black Tea Concentrate 40.106% 1797.796 Organic Guar Gum 0.2980% 13.358 Organic Lemon Juice, Concentrate 0.2119% 9.497 Organic Lemon Essence (primal essence) 0.0092% 0.412 Organic Liquid Honey 11.4943%  515.243 TOTAL 100.000%  4482.631 NUTRITION INFORMATION Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 bar (52 g) Servings Per Container Amount per Serving Calories 20 Calories from Fat 0 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0 g 0% Saturated Fat 0 g 0% Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 0 mg 0% Total Carbohydrates 5 g 2% Dietary Fiber 0 g 0% Sugars 5 g Protein 0 g Vitamin A 0%* Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0%* Iron 0% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Calories: 2,000 2,500 Total Fat Less than 65 g 80 g Sat Fat Less than 20 g 25 g Cholesterol Less than 300 mg  300 mg Sodium Less than 2,400 mg 2,400 mg  Total 300-325 g Carbohydrate Dietary Fiber  25-30 g

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Toasted Coconut Ingredients % kg Filtered water, (Liters/kg at room temperature) 48.781% 2186.644 Rooibos Tea Extract Powder 0.1005% 4.507 Organic Coconut Cream 39.1059%  1752.965 Organic Guar Gum 6068 0.2980% 13.358 Organic Dehydrated Coconut Flower Blossom 11.4943%  515.243 Nectar Organic Pineapple Juice Concentrate 0.2209% 9.900 TOTAL 100.000%  4482.617 NUTRITION INFORMATION Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 bar (52 g) Servings Per Container Amount per Serving Calories 70 Calories from Fat 40 % Daily Value* Total Fat 5 g 8% Saturated Fat 5 g 25%  Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 25 mg 1% Total Carbohydrates 2% 7 g Dietary Fiber 0 g 0% Sugars 6 g Protein 0 g Vitamin A 0%* Vitamin C 2% Calcium 0%* Iron 2% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Calories: 2,000 2,500 Total Fat Less than 65 g 80 g Sat Fat Less than 20 g 25 g Cholesterol Less than 300 mg  300 mg Sodium Less than 2,400 mg 2,400 mg  Total 300 g 375 g  Carbohydrate Dietary Fiber 25 g 30 g

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 5 Dark Chocolate Mint Ingredients % kg Filtered water, (Liters/kg at room temperature) 88.620% 1986.246 Rooibos Tea Extract Powder  0.185% 4.147 Organic Peppermint Tea Essence 0.0496% 1.111 Organic Dehydrated Coconut Flower Blossom 10.3675%  232.367 Nectar Organic Vanilla Extract 2 fold 0.0835% 1.871 Organic Guar Gum 6068 0.2949% 6.609 Organic Cocoa Distillate 0.4000% 8.965 TOTAL 100.000%  2241.3161

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 6 Raspberry Chamomile Cream Ingredients % kg Filtered water, (Liters/kg at room temperature) 68.948% 7.317 Chamomile Essence (Primal Essence)  0.101% 0.011 Raspberry Juice concentrate 1.0157% 0.108 Organic Vanilla Extract 2 fold 0.1889% 0.020 Organic Coconut Cream ITI TROPICALS 16.2214%  1.721 Organic Guar Gum 6068 (Food Specialties) 0.2199% 0.023 Organic Dehydrated Coconut Flower Blossom 9.4439% 1.002 Nectar Organic Coconut Water Powder  1.663% 0.176 Raspberry Puree 2.1986% 0.233 TOTAL 100.000%  10.612

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 7 Hibiscus Lemonade Ingredients % kg Filtered water, (Liters/kg at room temperature) 84.701% 8.995 HIBISCUS CONCENTRATE  1.166% 0.117 Organic Guar Gum 0.2980% 0.032 Organic Lemon Juice, Concentrate 0.3119% 0.033 Organic Lemon Essence (primal essence) 0.0292% 0.003 Organic Liquid Honey 13.4943%  1.432 TOTAL 100.000%  10.612

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8 Raspberry Citrus Green Tea Ingredients % Filtered water, (Liters/kg at room temperature) 57.730% Organic Raspberry Puree 29.1059%  Organic Dehydrated Coconut Flower Blossom Nectar 12.4943%  Organic Guar Gum 0.2980% Organic Lemon Juice, Concentrate 0.2209% FTO Green Tea Concentrate 0.1005% Organic Lemon Extract (primal essence) 0.0505% TOTAL 100.000%  NUTRITION INFORMATION Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 bar (52 g) Servings Per Container Amount per Serving Calories 30 Calories from Fat 0 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0 g 0% Saturated Fat 0 g 0% Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 4 mg 0% Total Carbohydrates 8 g 3% Dietary Fiber less than 1 gram 0% Sugars 7 g Protein 0 g Vitamin A 0%* Vitamin C 4% Calcium 0%* Iron 2% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Calories: 2,000 2,500 Total Fat Less than 65 g 80 g Sat Fat Less than 20 g 25 g Cholesterol Less than 300 mg  300 mg Sodium Less than 2,400 mg 2,400 mg  Total 300 g 375 g  Carbohydrate Dietary Fiber 25 g 30 g

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 9 Raspberry Coconut Tea Ingredients % Filtered water, (Litres/kg at room temperature) 46.281% FTO Hibiscus Extract 0.5005% Organic Coconut Cream 29.1059%  Organic Guar Gum 0.2980% Organic Dehydrated Coconut Flower Blossom Nectar 11.4943%  Chamomile Extract  0.100% Raspberry Puree 12.2209%  TOTAL 100.000%  Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 bar (52 g) Servings Per Container 1 Amount per Serving Calories 40 Calories from Fat 20 % Daily Value* Total Fat 2 g 3% Saturated Fat 0 g 0% Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 10 mg 0% Total Carbohydrates 6 g 2% Dietary Fiber 0 g 0% Sugars 6 g Protein 0 g Vitamin A 0%* Vitamin C 2% Calcium 0%* Iron 2% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Calories: 2,000 2,500 Total Fat Less than 65 g 80 g Sat Fat Less than 20 g 25 g Cholesterol Less than 300 mg  300 mg Sodium Less than 2,400 mg 2,400 mg  Total Carbohydrate 300 g 375 g  Dietary Fiber 25 g 30 g

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the final equilibrium pH of the at least nine flavors will not be greater than 7.00. Given the formulations and maximum equilibrium pH, each formulation is processed at or below 4 degrees Centigrade within 10 minutes or equivalent.

[0038] The packaging preserves product integrity from factory to shelf, allowing the product to be sold shelf stable and delivered as a freeze and eat product, thereby providing convenience to the consumer. The packaging is also bisphenol A (BPA) free.

[0039] A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.