Canned Hummus Mix and Methods for Preparing and Using the Same

Abstract

A method for preparing a hummus mix, including the steps of: (a) filling a container with fresh hummus ingredients from a predetermined recipe; (b) sealing the container; and (c) processing the filled container using a thermal processor to, in turn, generate a hummus mix with an extended shelf-life.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a hummus mix, comprising the steps of: filling a container with fresh hummus ingredients from a predetermined recipe; sealing the container; and processing the filled container using a thermal processor to, in turn, generate a hummus mix having an extended shelf-life.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the hummus mix is low-acid and preservative free.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the shelf-life is greater than one year.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the shelf-life is greater than two years.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined recipe is: Chickpeas (6.6 ounces); Tahini (3 ounces); Lemon Juice (1.2 ounces); Garlic (0.15 ounces); Himalayan Salt (0.1 ounces); Cumin (0.5 ounces); and at least one of water and oil (1.2 ounces).

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined recipe is: Chickpeas (6.6 ounces); Roasted Red Pepper (3.55 ounces) Tahini (2 ounces); Lemon Juice (1.2 ounces); Garlic (0.15 ounces); Salt (0.1 ounces); Red Pepper Flakes (0.25 ounces); and at least one of water and oil (1.2 ounces).

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thermal processing parameters are ambient pressure and time sufficient for the internal temperature to reach 153 degrees Fahrenheit.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thermal processing parameters are ambient pressure and flash freezing the contents to 32 degrees Fahrenheit in five minutes or less.

9. A method for using a hummus mix, comprising the steps of: providing a hummus mix having an extended shelf-life in accordance with claim 1; emptying the hummus mix into a blender; optionally adding additional oil and/or water to the blender; optionally adding additional ingredients; blending the contents in the blender for a period of time to homogenize the same; and serving the homogenized hummus.

10. Hummus prepared according to the process of claim 9.

11. A method for preparing and using a hummus mix, comprising the steps of: filling a container with fresh hummus ingredients from a predetermined recipe; sealing the container; processing the filled container using a thermal processor to, in turn, generate a hummus mix having an extended shelf-life; storing the processed hummus mix for a period of time; emptying the stored hummus mix into a blender; optionally adding additional oil and/or water to the blender; optionally adding additional ingredients; blending the contents in the blender for a period of time to homogenize the hummus; and serving the homogenized hummus having the same flavor and consistency of freshly prepared hummus.

12. Hummus prepared according to the process of claim 11.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted.

[0032] It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

[0033] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0034] FIG. 1 of the drawings is a flow chart of a process for preparing hummus mix in accordance with the present invention; and

[0035] FIG. 2 of the drawings is a flow chart of a process for using hummus mix in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0037] It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of one or more embodiments of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

[0038] As is best shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is directed to method 100 for preparing a hummus mix, comprising the steps of: filling 102 a container with fresh hummus ingredients from a predetermined recipe, such as, but not limited to, those disclosed herein; sealing 104 the container; and processing 106 the filled container using a thermal processor to, in turn, generate a hummus mix having an extended shelf-life. Preferably, the hummus mix is low-acid and/or preservative free, and the shelf-life is greater than one year, and more preferably greater than two years.

[0039] Non-limiting examples of recipes are provided below:

Example I

[0040]

TABLE-US-00001 Ingredient Amount Variation Chickpeas 6.6 ounces +/−5% Tahini .sup. 3 ounces +/−5% Lemon Juice 1.2 ounces +/−5% Garlic 0.15 ounces  +/−5% Himalayan Salt 0.1 ounces +/−10%  Cumin 0.5 ounces +/−20%  Oil/Water 1.2 ounces +/−25% 

Example II

[0041]

TABLE-US-00002 Ingredient Amount Variation Chickpeas 6.6 ounces +/−5% Roasted Red Pepper 3.55 ounces  +/−5% Tahini .sup. 2 ounces +/−5% Lemon Juice 1.2 ounces +/−5% Garlic 0.15 ounces  +/−5% Salt 0.1 ounces +/−10%  Red Pepper Flakes 0.25 ounces  +/−20%  Oil/Water 1.2 ounces +/−25% 

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thermal processing parameters are ambient pressure coupled with time sufficient for the internal temperature of the ingredients to reach approximately (+/−5%) 153 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, and/or additionally the thermal processing parameters may include cooling the contents to below approximately (+/−5%) 39 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes or less, and/or flash freezing the contents to approximately (+/−5%) 32 degrees Fahrenheit in five minutes or less, and preferably in 30 seconds or less.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 2, the present invention is also directed to method 200 for using a hummus mix, comprising the steps of: providing 202 a hummus mix having an extended shelf-life as disclosed herein above; emptying 204 the hummus mix into a blender; optionally adding 206 additional oil and/or water to the blender (oil and/or water may be added before storage and/or after storage during, for example, blending); optionally adding 208 additional ingredients (e.g., herbs, spices, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, flavorants, colorants, homeopathic medicaments, traditional medicaments, etcetera); blending 210 the contents in the blender for a period of time to homogenize, (e.g., low-sheer, high-sheer) constitute and/or reconstitute the same; and 212 serving the hummus.

[0044] It will be understood that while certain embodiments of the present invention are directed toward hummus, other products and dips are likewise contemplated for use, including, but not limited to, white bean dip, pinto bean dip, black bean dip, legume dips/products, pulse crop dips/products, etcetera.

[0045] The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0046] While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

[0047] The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etcetera shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology. Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of” will be understood to include those elements specifically recited and those additional elements that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of” excludes any element not specified.

[0048] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0049] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

[0050] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etcetera. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etcetera. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

[0051] All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

[0052] Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.