Food with improved aroma and taste

Abstract

Food and beverages manufacturers are actively looking for ways or alternatives to enhance flavour in their products. That could be by using ingredients that provide aroma, taste and mouth feel with low calorie content and no after taste, or technology that allows consumers an enhanced experience without adding extra ingredients. Solutions could be highly specific. This invention relates to a food product or part thereof comprising a sour tastant and at least one flavour congruent with the sour tastant, wherein the at least one flavour is distributed homogeneously throughout the food product or part thereof, and wherein the sour tastant is distributed throughout the food product or part thereof inhomogeneously, and wherein the food product or part thereof can be consumed whole by a consumer, and wherein the food product or part thereof is in the form of a frozen confection. The food product or part thereof was observed to impart an enhanced perception of lemon flavour and sour taste.

Claims

1. A food product comprising: (a) 0.002 to 5% w/w a sour tastant, wherein the sour tastant is a food-grade acid; (b) 0.001 to 2.5% w/w at least one flavour congruent with the sour tastant, wherein the flavour is a citrus flavour; wherein the at least one flavour is distributed homogeneously throughout the food product; wherein the sour tastant is distributed throughout the food product inhomogeneously such that the difference in tastant concentration between a first part of the food product with the highest concentration of sour tastant and a second part of the food product with the lowest concentration of sour tastant is at least 40% of the w/w concentration of the sour tastant when homogeneously distributed in the food product; wherein the food product can be consumed whole by a consumer; and wherein the food product is in the form of a frozen confection; wherein the sour tastant is a food-grade acid selected from the group of acetic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, salts thereof, esters thereof, or mixtures thereof; wherein the citrus flavour is selected from the group of lemon, lime, grapefruit, tangerine, orange, and mixtures thereof; wherein the food product is in the form of a frozen confection selected from the group of a water ice, a granita, an ice cream, a sorbet, a sherbet and a frozen beverage.

2. The food product according to claim 1 wherein the difference is at most 160% of the w/w concentration of the sour tastant when homogeneously distributed in the food product.

3. The food product or part thereof according to claim 1 wherein the first or second parts of the food product exclude sour tastant.

4. The food product according to claim 1 which is visually homogeneous.

5. The food product according to claim 1 which is texturally homogeneous.

6. The food product according to claim 1 comprising 0.02 to 2% w/w a sour tastant.

7. The food product according to claim 1 comprising 0.05 to 1% w/w a sour tastant.

8. The food product according to claim 1 comprising 0.01 to 1.25% of at least one flavour congruent with the sour tastant.

9. The food product according to claim 8 comprising 0.01 to 0.5% w/w of at least one flavour congruent with the sour tastant.

10. The food product according to claim 1 wherein the food grade acid is citric acid.

11. The food product according to claim 1 wherein the lowest concentration of the sour tastant is at least 60% of the w/w concentration of the sour tastant when homogeneously distributed in the food product.

12. The food product according to claim 1 wherein the food product is in the form of a water ice.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) In a first aspect of the invention, a food product or part thereof is provided, the food product or part thereof comprising: (a) 0.002 to 5, preferably 0.02 to 2, more preferably 0.05 to 1% w/w a sour tastant; (b) 0.001 to 2.5, preferably 0.01 to 1.25, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5% w/w at least one flavour congruent with the sour tastant;

(2) wherein the at least one flavour is distributed homogeneously throughout the food product or part thereof;

(3) wherein the sour tastant is distributed throughout the food product or part thereof inhomogeneously;

(4) wherein the food product or part thereof can be consumed whole by a consumer; and

(5) wherein the food product or part thereof is in the form of a frozen confection.

(6) The term frozen confection means a sweet-tasting fabricated foodstuff intended for consumption in the frozen state (i.e. under conditions wherein the temperature of the foodstuff is less than 0 C., and preferably under conditions wherein the foodstuff comprises significant amounts of ice). Frozen confections include ice cream, sorbet, sherbet, frozen yoghurt, water ice, and the like. Preferably the frozen confection has a total solids content (i.e. the sum of the weights of all the ingredients other than water, expressed as a percentage of the total weight) of at least 20%, more preferably at least 25%. Frozen confections may be aerated or unaerated. Preferably the frozen confection is aerated, i.e. it has an overrun of more than 20%, preferably more than 30%, more preferably more than 50%. Preferably the frozen confection has an overrun of less than 200%, more preferably less than 150%, most preferably less than 100%. Overrun is defined by the equation below and is measured at atmospheric pressure:

(7) $\mathrm{overrun}\%=\frac{\mathrm{density}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{mix}-\mathrm{density}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{frozen}\mathrm{confection}}{\mathrm{density}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{frozen}\mathrm{confection}}100$

(8) The frozen confection may be manufactured by any suitable process, typically by preparing a mix of ingredients; then pasteurising and optionally homogenising the mix; and then freezing and optionally aerating the mix to produce the frozen confection.

(9) The sour tastant can be a food-grade acid, preferably wherein the food-grade acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, salts thereof, esters thereof, or mixtures thereof, most preferably the food-grade acid is citric acid.

(10) The tastant can be a food-grade acid, the flavour is a citrus flavour, preferably wherein the citrus flavour is selected from the group consisting of lemon, lime, grapefruit, tangerine, orange, and mixtures thereof.

(11) Preferably the difference in tastant concentration between a first part of the food product or part thereof with the highest concentration of sour tastant and a second part of the food product or part thereof with the lowest concentration of sour tastant is at least 20, preferably at least 40, most preferably at least 60% of the w/w concentration of the sour tastant when homogeneously distributed in the food product or part thereof. Preferably the difference is at most 160% of the w/w concentration of the sour tastant when homogeneously distributed in the food product or part thereof.

(12) In one embodiment, the first or second parts of the food product or part thereof exclude sour tastant.

(13) Preferably the food product is in the form of a frozen confection selected from the group consisting of a water ice, a granita, an ice cream, a sorbet, a sherbet and a frozen beverage such as a slush.

(14) In yet another embodiment, the food product or part thereof is visually homogeneous. In another embodiment, the food product or part thereof is textually homogeneous.

Example 1: Preparation and Evaluation of Lemon Flavoured Water Ices

(15) Materials

(16) Lemon flavour supplied by Symrise MRDR code 376139.

(17) Methods

(18) Preparation of Water Ices

(19) The solutions set forth in Tables 1 to 4 were prepared and cooled to 4 degrees centigrade.

(20) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Citric acid solutions (% change of citric acid from H17) Ingredients (% w/w) C1 C2 C3 C4 Sucrose 16.5 16.5 16.5 16.5 Glucose 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 Locust bean 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 gum Citric acid 0.24 0.16 0.28 0.12 Lemon flavour 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Water qs qs qs qs % change +20% 20% +40% 40%

(21) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Lemon flavor solutions (% change of lemon flavour from H17) Ingredients (% w/w) F5 F6 F7 F8 Sucrose 16.5 16.5 16.5 16.5 Glucose 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 Locust bean 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 gum Citric acid 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Lemon flavour 0.12 0.08 0.16 0.04 Water qs qs qs qs % change +20% 20% +60% 60%

(22) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Control solutions (% change from H17) Ingredients (% w/w) H15 H17 Sucrose 16.5 16.5 Glucose 5.5 5.5 Locust bean gum 0.2 0.2 Citric acid 0.24 0.2 Lemon flavour 0.12 0.1 Water qs qs % change +20% citric acid Standard +20% lemon flavour

(23) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Solutions with changes of combinations of citric acid and lemon flavor (% change from H17) Ingredients (% w/w) M1 M2 M5 M6 Sucrose 16.5 16.5 16.5 16.5 Glucose 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 Locust bean 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 gum Citric acid 0.28 0.12 0.28 0.12 Lemon flavour 0.12 0.08 0.08 0.12 Water qs qs qs qs % change +40% citric 40% citric +40% citric 40% citric acid acid acid acid +20% lemon 20% lemon 20% lemon +20% lemon flavour flavour flavour flavour

(24) The water ices were prepared from the solutions set forth in Tables 1 to 4 in a layered fashion in accordance with Table 5. The layer thickness of 4 millimeters was defined such that diffusion would not affect the inhomogeneity of the water ices at the time of sensory evaluation. Each solution was pipetted into a mould and cooled to 30 degrees centigrade before being transferred to a freezer at 18 degrees centigrade and hardened overnight. Then the procedure was repeated for the next layer.

(25) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Water ice layers (each 4 millimeters thick) using the solution nomenclature from Tables 1 to 4 (samples 12, 14, 15 and 17 are control samples) Layer 1 2 3 4 Sample 1 C1 C2 C1 C2 +20% citric acid 20% citric acid +20% citric acid 20% citric acid Sample 2 C3 C4 C3 C4 +40% citric acid 40% citric acid +40% citric acid 40% citric acid Sample 5 F5 F6 F5 F6 +20% lemon 20% lemon +20% lemon 20% lemon flavour flavour flavour flavour Sample 6 F7 F8 F7 F8 +60% lemon 60% lemon +60% lemon 60% lemon flavour flavour flavour flavour Sample C1 C1 C1 C 12 +20% citric acid +20% citric acid +20% citric acid +20% citric acid Sample F5 F5 F5 F5 14 +20% lemon +20% lemon +20% lemon +20% lemon flavour flavour flavour flavour Sample H15 H15 H15 H15 15 +20% citric acid +20% citric acid +20% citric acid +20% citric acid +20% lemon +20% lemon +20% lemon +20% lemon flavour flavour flavour flavour Sample H17 H17 H17 H17 17 Standard Standard Standard Standard Sample 7 M1 M2 M1 M2 +40% citric acid 40% citric acid +40% citric acid 40% citric acid +20% lemon 20% lemon +20% lemon 20% lemon flavour flavour flavour flavour Sample 9 M5 M6 M5 M6 +40% citric acid 40% citric acid +40% citric acid 40% citric acid 20% lemon +20% lemon 20% lemon +20% lemon flavour flavour flavour flavour

(26) Sensory Evaluation

(27) A maximum of 13 samples were tested per session, the samples being randomized within a single session. A trained panel, consisting of 14 people, evaluated the water ices in accordance with the following tasting method:

(28) Each panellist was presented with two examples of each water ice. The serving temperature was 18 degrees centigrade. Panellists evaluated one sample at a time in a sequential monadic way. Samples were presented under white light. Samples were randomized and presented twice during the experiment. The panellists took bites from the ice cubes through the four layers (from up to down) so they get the same amount from each layer in their mouth. Panellists were offered tap water and cream cracker as palate cleansers between evaluations.

(29) During the training sessions the panellists generated the attribute list best describing the products that they were presented with. By exposing the panellists during the training to a set of samples with different compositions (including extremes) the panellists became familiar with the entire range of sensory characteristics exhibited by the samples and the intensity range. This helped the panellists to use the entire scale range and to better discriminate between the samples. The panellists were asked to describe each of the samples in terms of the following sensory characteristics: Basic tastes Flavour Mouth feel After taste and/or after feel

(30) The term flavour indicates the overall combination of olfactive and gustative sensations during consumption. This list of attributes was discussed by the panel. The panellists came to a consensus of opinion and chose a single word to describe the particular sensory character.

(31) For this example six attributes were generated and agreed by the panellists to best describe the differences between the samples. The attribute list generated and how they were evaluated in the water ice examples is set forth in Table 6.

(32) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Attribute list. Attribute Dummy Description How 1) Hardness 8 Resistance during biting in Take a bite from the water ice mouthfeel the water ice 2) Lemon flavour 8 Evaluated by tasting the Take a bite from the water ice flavoured product and chew on it 3) Sweet taste 10 Degree of sweet taste (e.g. Take a bite from the water ice sucrose solution) and chew on it 4) Sour taste 7 Degree of sour taste (e.g. Take a bite from the water ice citric acid solution) and chew on it 5) Bitter after taste 4 Degree of bitter after taste Taste after spit out or swallow (e.g. caffeine solution) 6) Sweet after 6 Degree of sweet after taste Taste after spit out or swallow taste (e.g. sucrose solution)

(33) The panel used a dummy sample. In the attribute list, for every attribute there's a score for the dummy. This is a reference sample for the panellists that they get at the beginning of every session to refresh their memory. The scores of this dummy were established by the panellists together during the training. The dummy used during this study was Sample 17 standard water ice with four identical layers.

(34) The assessment for each attribute used a point scale 0-15. The panellists were trained using solutions of citric acid in water prepared at 0.016, 0.032, 0.048, 0.064 and 0.080% w/w which were then assigned a number on the scale of respectively 2, 5, 8, 11 and 14. This established an absolute intensity scale.

(35) Results

(36) The results are presented in Table 7 together with the ANOVA statistical analysis results.

(37) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Results of sensory evaluation of water ices on scale of 0-15 with ANOVA statistical analysis results Bitter Sweet Attribute Hardness Lemon Sweet Sour after after (0-15) mouth feel flavour taste taste taste taste Sample 1 8.01 def 7.45 ab 10.06 abc 6.98 abcd 3.89 a 5.51 b Sample 2 7.83 def 8.12 a 10.02 abc 7.07 abc 3.90 a 5.43 b Sample 5 8.19 cdef 8.05 ab 9.91 be 6.74 abcd 4.01 a 5.58 b Sample 6 8.37 bcdef 7.68 ab 9.39 c 6.59 abcd 3.75 a 5.02 b Sample 12 8.22 bcdef 8.08 a 9.95 abc 6.96 abc 4.04 a 5.65 ab Sample 14 8.27 bcdef 8.12 a 9.88 c 7.37 ab 4.05 a 5.28 b Sample 15 8.72 bcde 8.15 a 9.23 c 7.49 a 3.95 a 5.37 b Sample 17 8.30 bcdef 7.17 b 9.70 c 6.12 d 4.04 a 5.37 b Sample 7 8.10 cdef 7.51 ab 9.72 c 6.87 abcd 4.03 a 5.35 b Sample 9 8.49 bcdef 7.70 ab 9.60 c 6.95 abcd 4.03 a 5.30 b

(38) From the results, it is clear that the samples that were significantly different to the S17 control in regard to lemon flavour and/or sour taste perception were S2, S12, S14 and S15.

(39) In particular, increasing the net levels of both lemon flavour and citric acid homogeneously by 20% each (Sample 15 with 0.24% w/w citric acid and 0.12% w/w lemon flavour) significantly increased the perception of both lemon flavour and sour taste attributes relative to the standard Sample 17. However surprisingly increasing only net citric acid level homogeneously by 20% (Sample 12 with 0.24% w/w citric acid and 0.10% w/w lemon flavour) led to not only a significant increase in perceived sour taste, but also to a significant increase in perceived lemon flavour relative to standard Sample 17 even though the net lemon flavour level was unchanged. The same effect was observed when only increasing the net lemon flavour level homogeneously by 20% (Sample 14 with 0.20% w/w citric acid and 0.12% w/w lemon flavour).

(40) Delivering citric acid inhomogenously by using a contrast of 80% between layers (40% w/w in one layer (0.12% w/w) and +40% w/w (0.28% w/w) in an adjacent layer) also led to a significant increase in the perceived lemon flavour as well as the perceived sour taste (Sample 2). This effect was observed by keeping the net concentration of the citric acid and lemon flavour constant, 0.2% and 0.1% w/w respectively, contrary to Sample 12 and Sample 14, where in both either citric acid or lemon flavour concentration was increased by 20% w/w. This effect started appearing with Sample 1 from 40% w/w concentration contrast (alternating layers with +20% and 20% w/w citric acid) but was not statistically significant.

(41) Although it was observed that the perceived lemon flavour and perceived sour taste increased at a low contrast (Sample 5 with +/20% w/w lemon flavour), the effect was not statistically significant. Increasing the contrast (Sample 6 with +/60% w/w lemon flavour) did not lead to a further increase in the perceived lemon flavour and sour taste and in fact led to a slight decrease in their perception, but this difference was not statistically significant.

(42) Conclusions

(43) As it was observed that increasing only net citric acid level homogeneously by 20% (Sample 12 with 0.24% w/w citric acid and 0.10% w/w lemon flavour) led to not only a significant increase in perceived sour taste, but also to a significant increase in perceived lemon flavour relative to standard Sample 17 even though the net lemon flavour level was unchanged, and the same effect was observed when only increasing the net lemon flavour level homogeneously by 20%, it is clear that these two attributes (lemon flavour and sour taste) are congruent and to increase the perception of both, only one parameter (lemon flavour or citric acid) needs to be increased homogenously by at least 20% w/w.

(44) The localization of different levels of citric acid within the layers of water ices while keeping the overall concentration constant resulted in an enhanced perception of lemon flavour and sour taste. This effect started appearing from 40% w/w concentration contrast (alternating layers with +20% and 20% w/w citric acid) and wa s statistically significant at 80% w/w concentration contrast (alternating layers with +40% and 40% w/w citric acid).

(45) The localization of different levels of lemon flavour within the layers of water ices while keeping the overall concentration constant resulted in no significant effect on the lemon flavour and sour taste perception. Although the trend showed an increase, it failed to be significant.

Example 2: Frozen Beverage

(46) Frozen beverage solutions can be prepared with 30% w/w sugar, 0.1% w/w xanthan, 0.1% citric acid and lemon flavour (0.01%). The solutions can be frozen to 7 C. in a GB 220 slush machine (Electrofreeze, U.K) to produce slush of ice crystal size 300 m. 45% ice phase is expected for this formulation at 7 C.

(47) Citric acid particles can be prepared by freezing sheets of acid solutions in a blast freezer. The particles are then size reduced using a Crushman 360 and then sieved to a size range of 2 to 4 mm. 30% w/w particles are added to the slush to create 20% and 30% citric acid contrast. AFP III HPLC-12 is an ice structuring protein (ISP) that can be found naturally in arctic fish such as eel pout, ocean pout and wolf fish. The protein has significant ice recrystallisation inhibition properties and can be expected to stabilise the ice fraction of the citric acid particles.

(48) The final formulations of the frozen beverages are set forth in Tables 8a and 8b.

(49) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8a Frozen beverage formulation according to the invention with a 20% citric acid contrast Ingredient % W/W 70% w/w slush 0.12% Citric acid (+20%) in solution Sucrose 30 Xanthan 0.1 Citric aicd 0.084 Lemon flavour 0.01 Water 49.79 30% Citric acid 0.08% Citric acid particles (20%) in particle Citric acid 0.016 Lemon flavour 0.004 AFP III HPLC-12 0.005 Water 19.980 Total 100

(50) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8b Frozen beverage formulation according to the invention with a 30% citric acid contrast. Ingredient % W/W 70% w/w Slush 0.13% Citric acid (+30%) in solution Sucrose 30 Xanthan 0.1 Citric aicd 0.091 Lemon flavour 0.01 Water 49.79 30% Citric acid 0.03% Citric acid particles (30%) in particle Citric acid 0.009 Lemon flavour 0.004 AFP III HPLC-12 0.005 Water 19.987 Total 100