FOOD PRODUCT

Abstract: A particulate creamer-thickener comprises 5-45%, preferably 10-25% by weight of fat (preferably having a melting point of 30-45°C, 0.05-5%, preferably 0.1-3% by weight of a proteinaceous emulsifier (e.g. sodium caseinate) or a fatty acid emulsifier, 25-75% by weight of starch thickener and from 0-8% by weight of water. Also a process of its manufacture has been described.

Description: The present invention relates to a particulate creamer-­ thickener for foodstuffs and animal feeds, to a creamer-­ thickener of certain physico-chemical structure, to a process for the preparation of the creamer-thickener according to the invention and to foodstuffs and animal feeds comprising the creamer-thickener according to the present invention. Creamers and thickeners are important constituents for dry soups, particularly cream-style soups, gravies and sauces and often account for the bulk of the solid ingredients. In cream-style soups the creamers are included at relatively high levels to improve the appearance, texture and to impart a creamy mouthfeel. The creamers used up to now are spray-dried emulsified fat powders, like coffee whiteners, which were developed for incorporation in hot coffee. The requirements set to a coffee whitener are therefore different from those set to a whitener or creamer to be used in soups. The coffee whiteners or creamers are usually manufactured by spray-­ drying a concentrated emulsion comprising fat, protein, emulsifier, carrier material (usually maltodextrin) and water. Thickeners are usually native starches, but sometimes also modified starches may be used. The starch material is a difficult material to disperse. The dispersion may be facilitated by fat coating the starch, by agglomerating and fat coating or by mixing with a dispersing aid, like sugar. It has now been found possible to combine the creamer or whitener and the starch thickener in one product, which can be formulated and manufactured in a way so as to provide a creamer-thickener, which not only performs both functions, i.e. to whiten or cream or to thicken, but which is especially adapted to the environment in which it will be used, viz. in soups, sauces or gravies, calf milk replacers, puddings or custards or geriatric diets. The creamer-thickener can also be incorporated with advantage into other products, such as cake, pancake and scone mixes, and in low-calorie foods. The use of such a whitener-thickener or creamer-­ thickener in e.g. soups and sauces entails several advantages. First of all the combination of a creamer and thickener in one product requires only one drying and agglomeration step in its manufacture instead of two drying and agglomeration steps in the separate manufacture of a creamer/whitener and a thickener, thus leading to savings in production cost. The combination of creamer and thickener in one product further appeared to give optimal creaminess, improved dispersability and better consumer appeal. A third advantage is that on the one hand sometimes certain constituents could be deleted, while in general the amount of other ingredients could be considerably reduced, which again leads to important economic advantages. Also in a mixture of ingredients there is often the risk of segregation of components, which risk does not exist with the creamer-thickener according to the invention. Finally, in the manufacture of other foodstuffs or animal feeds in which the creamer-thickener is used, there is the advantage of easier handling in the factory, since only one ingredient has to be added instead of two ingredients. An additional advantage is that the creamer-­ thickener does not exhibit dusting when being handled. The present invention therefore relates to a particulate creamer-thickener for foodstuffs and animal feeds, which comprises: (a) from 5 to 45% by weight of fat; (b) from 0.05 to 5% by weight of emulsifier; (c) from 25 to 75% by weight of hydrolyzed starch; (d) from 20 to 60% by weight of starch thickener; (e) from 0 to 8% by weight of water. The fat in the creamer-thickener according to the present invention is finely divided to effect whitening when dispersed in the foodstuff or animal feed. Preferably from 10 to 25% by weight of fat is used. The fat may comprise fat fractions, partially or completely hydrogenated oils or fats, interesterified fats and mixtures thereof. It has been found that the wetting properties of the creamer-thickener according to the present invention undergo important changes at the melting point of the fat in the creamer-thickener. The best wetting properties are therefore obtained by the use of a fat having a melting point which is lower than the serving temperature of the food or food product in which the creamer-thickener is used. Therefore the selection of the oil or fat to be used in the creamer-thickener according to the present invention is also dependent on the ultimate use of the creamer-thickener. The fat preferably has a melting point of from 30°C to 45°C and preferably exhibits the following dilatation characteristics: N₁₀= 65-95; N₂₀= 35-65; N₃₀= 2-­ 20; N₃₅= 0-5. The indication N₁₀ means the percentage of solid fat at the indicated temperature in °C (in this case 10°C) as determined by means of nuclear magnetic resonance. Such a fat is for example hardened palm oil or palmkernel oil. Antioxidants, flavours and the like may have been added to the fat used. For soups it may be advantageous to use e.g. chicken fat, butter fat or beef fat, which already contributes to the taste of the soup. The emulsifiers used in the creamer-thickener according to the present invention may be of two types, viz. emulsifying proteinaceous materials and fatty acid derivatives. Also mixtures of the two types may be used. Preferably from 0.1 to 3.0% by weight of emulsifier is used. The edible emulsifying proteinaceous material may be whole or skimmed milk powder, alkali metal caseinate of which the sodium caseinate is preferred, ammonium caseinate, oilseed protein concentrate, like soybean protein concentrate, oilseed protein isolate, like soybean isolates or enzyme modified soybean isolates, single cell protein, fungal protein, succinylated proteins like succinylated whey protein, whey protein or whey solids, or mixtures thereof. It is also possible to use whole or skimmed milk as a liquid in in the manufacture of the creamer-thickener before drying the final composition. The emulsifier may also be a fatty acid derivative, such as the diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and mono-­ diglycerides of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids and the sodium or potassium salts thereof (like Admul DATA esters, Trade Mark, ex PPF International); the C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acid derived n-lactylic acids, where n ranges on the average from about 1 to 5 and the sodium, potassium and calcium salts thereof (like Admul SSL, Trade Mark, ex PPF International); the propylene glycol esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids; the glycerol mono- and mono-diesters of C₁₂-­ C₂₄ fatty acids or ethoxylated derivatives thereof and their mixtures with alkali metal soaps of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids; sorbitan esters of polyoxyethylenesorbitan esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids; esters of succinic acid, lactic acid or citric acid with mono- and mono-diglycerides or propylene glycol partial esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids and the sodium or potassium salts thereof; lecithin; hydroxylated and/or at least partially hydrolysed lecithin; sodium stearyl fumarate; the polyglycerol esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids (or polymers or condensates of these fatty acids) having from 3 to 10 glycerol units and from 1 to 10 fatty acids per molecule, the sucrose esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids or of mono- and mono-diglycerides, or mixtures of one or more of any of these fatty acid derivatives. In the fatty acid derivative emulsifier the fatty acids can be saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids. In some instances the unsaturated fatty acids may be preferred. Some of the fatty acid derivative emulsifiers, such as e.g. the polyglycerol esters, the sucrose esters and the glycerol mono- and mono-diesters will only be effective when used conjointly with the edible emulsifying proteinaceous material. In general mixtures of the edible emulsifying proteinaceous material and the fatty acid derivative may be used. In view of the tendency to use as many natural or nature-identical additives as possible, it is, under the circumstances, possible to use only the edible emulsifying proteinaceous material as the emulsifier, which is an additional advantage of the creamer-thickener according to the present invention. The hydrolyzed starches serve to form a matrix for the fat component and the starch thickener, and the term "hydrolyzed starches" encompasses glucose syrup solids, corn syrup solids and maltodextrins. They are characterized by their dextrose equivalent (D.E.). The dextrose equivalent is the total amount of reducing sugars present in per cent of total dry substance, expressed as dextrose. In general from 25% to 75% by weight and preferably from 30 to 50% by weight of hydrolysed starch is used. The selection of the type of hydrolyzed starch in the present invention is mainly made on the basis of two criteria, viz. the taste and the speed of dissolution. With regard to the taste one may distinguish between sweet and non-sweet products. Generally the products with a higher D.E. have a sweeter taste, and these are therefore preferred for use in the creamer-thickener according to the present invention if it has to be used in more sweet foodstuffs like custards and puddings. The D.E. of the hydrolyzed starches in the creamer-thickener according to the present invention to be used in sweet products can be up to 50. The second criterion is the speed of dissolution and it can be stated that the maltodextrins with a low D.E., i.e. at most 30, are only slowly dissolving, whereas e.g. glucose is rapidly dissolving. For instantly dispersing soups, sauces and gravies and also calf milk replacer, penetration of the liquid into the interstices of the agglomerates or powder is almost instantaneous. On the other hand, if lumping is to be avoided, once the powder is wetted, further hydration and swelling must be held in check until the individual particles are separated one from the other in the bulk of the liquid by stirring or other agitation. The hydration at this stage depends on the nature of the matrix material in which the starch and fat particles are embedded. If, for instance, this contains a low DE maltodextrin, which dissolves only slowly, it will take longer to hydrate than if the matrix material is mainly dextrose. Thus, by varying the composition of the matrix, the hydration of the fat and starch thickener particles, which are enclosed or embedded in the hydrolyzed starch material matrix, can be completely controlled to meet product requirements. In the sweet products the hydrolyzed starch can also at least partially be replaced by dextrose, lactose or normal cane sugar and the expression hydrolyzed starch for the purpose of the present invention also encompasses dextrose, lactose and cane sugar. The starch thickener which is used in the creamer-­ thickener according to the present invention may be corn starch, potato starch, wheat starch, rye starch, tapioca starch, rice starch, oats starch or mixtures thereof. Also physically or chemically modified starches like acetylated adipate and hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate and starch modified with octenyl succinic anhydride may be used. The use of pre-gelatinized starches may entail special precautionary measures in the manufacture of the creamer-thickener according to the present invention owing to their swelling characteristics. The preferred amount of the starch thickener is from 30 to 50% by weight. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the creamer-thickener also serves as a carrier material for flavouring or aromatizing materials. The creamer-­ thickener therefore may comprise up to 20% by weight of a flavouring or aromatizing material, particularly tomato material, cream flavour, butter flavour, meat flavour, or precursors of these aromatizing or flavouring materials, which either during the manufacture of the creamer-thickener form the flavouring material or which in contact with the product in which the creamer-thickener is used do give rise to the development of the flavouring material. Also vegetable material may be used as flavouring material. In another embodiment of the present invention the creamer-thickener also comprises an edible sequestering agent in an amount of up to 5% by weight. It has been found useful to incorporate such a sequestering agent in view of the different degrees of hardness of the water in which the creamer-thickener is dispersed. Suitable edible sequestering agents are alkali metal tripolyphosphate, alkali metal orthophosphate, alkali metal citrate, or mixtures thereof. The creamer-thickener also comprises up to 8% by weight of moisture and may comprise up to 5% by weight of functional additives, such as colouring agents, anti-­ caking agents (like sodium silico-aluminate), preservatives, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, anti-foaming agents, buffers, but also minor amounts of pigments or other additives, or mixtures of any one or more of these additives. The creamer-thickener may also comprise 5% by weight of common salt. The particulate creamer-thickener according to the present invention has a special physico-chemical structure. The starch thickener granules and the fat particles are embedded in a matrix of the hydrolyzed starch, which hydrolyzed starch owing to its dissolution and wetting characteristics has controlled hydrating properties. The fat droplets or particles obtained after hydration of the creamer-thickener have an average droplet diameter of from 0.2 to 0.5 µm. Preferably the fat particles in the creamer-thickener are surrounded by a layer of the edible emulsifying proteinaceous material. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the creamer-thickener consists of agglomerates of primary particles of creamer-thickener material having an average particle size of from 10 to 100 µm. The agglomerates have an average particle size of from 100 to 1000 µm, preferably from 350 to 700 µm. The agglomerates of creamer-thickener according to the present invention preferably have a particle density of from 1200 to 1500 kg/m³ and a compacted bulk density from 300 to 700 kg/m³. The particulate creamer-thickener according to the present invention can be used in foodstuffs such as dry soups, particularly cream-style soups, sauces, gravies, custards and puddings, geriatric diets and in animal feeds such as calf milk replacer. The creamer-thickener can also be incorporated with advantage into other products, such as cake, pancake and scone mixes, and in dressings. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the particulate creamer-thickener of the present invention. In this process the water-soluble constituents of the creamer-thickener with the exception of the starch thickener are dissolved in the least possible amount of water and this solution is emulsified with the fat. The emulsion obtained is homogenized, e.g. in a two-stage homogenization at pressures of 250 bar and 50 bar, respectively. This homogenized emulsion is then cooled, if necessary, to a temperature below the gelatinization temperature of the starch thickener, before the emulsion is combined with the starch thickener. The mixture of the homogenized emulsion and the starch thickener is prepared in such a way that the mixture has a solids content of from 45 to 60% by weight, after which the mixture is dried and agglomerated. Preferably the mixture is spray-dried during which the drying and the agglomeration take place in the same treatment. The invention is now illustrated by the following Examples which are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. EXAMPLE I A mixture of the following composition : was prepared as follows to be spray-­ dried: The fat was heated in a steam kettle until it had been molten and had reached a temperature of 70°C. Then the sodium caseinate was stirred into the fat. The maltodextrin and the sodium tripolyphosphate were dissolved in the water at 70°C, and then the fat phase was mixed with the aqueous phase while vigorously stirring and the mixtured obtained was homogenized in a two-stage piston homogenizer at a pressure in the first stage of 250 bar and in the second stage of 50 bar. The emulsion obtained was cooled to 40°C and the corn starch mixed in with constant stirring. The suspension obtained (solids content 56% by weight) was then spray-dried in a spray-drier with an integral fluidized bed, at an air inlet temperature of 245°C and an air outlet temperature of 92°C. The product was a coarse white agglomerate having the following composition and physical characteristics: Mean diameter of agglomerate particles 375 µm; bulk density of agglomerate 500 kg/m³; particle density 1315 kg/m³; mean oil droplet diameter after reconstitution 0.43 µm. Of this creamer-thickener 13.0 g were blended with 7.0 g of chicken and vegetable pieces, spices, flavours and this mixture was then reconstituted with 190 ml of boiling water. The powdery mixture dispersed instantly, with no tendency to form lumps and formed a rich, creamy soup with excellent flavour, appearance and taste. EXAMPLE II Example I was repeated, but now starting from the following composition: This composition was spray-dried in the same way as described in Example I, starting from a suspension with a solids content of 49% by weight, yielding a coarse white agglomerate having the following composition and physical characteristics: Mean diameter of agglomerate particles 350 µm; bulk density of agglomerate 515 kg/m³; particle density 1250 kg/m³; mean oil droplet diameter after reconstitution 0.33 µm. Of this creamer-thickener 18.5 g was blended with 7.5 g of mushroom pieces, spices and flavouring substances, and this mixture was then reconstituted with 190 ml of boiling water. The powder dispersed instantly, with no tendency to form lumps, to form a rich, creamy mushroom soup with excellent appearance and taste. EXAMPLE III A mixture of the following composition : was prepared as follows to be spray-dried: The fat was heated in a steam kettle till it had been molten and had reached a temperature of 70°C. Then the sodium caseinate was stirred into the fat. The maltodextrin and the sodium orthophosphate were dissolved in the water at 70°C and then the fat phase was mixed with the aqueous phase while vigorously stirring and the mixture obtained was homogenized in a two-stage piston homogenizer at a pressure in the first stage of 250 bar and in the second stage of 50 bar. The emulsion obtained was cooled to 30°C and the potato starch mixed in with constant stirring. The suspension obtained (solids content 55.2% by weight) was then spray-dried in a spray-drier with an integral fluidized bed, at an air inlet temperature of 250°C and an air outlet temperatur of 98°C. The product was a white agglomeratee having the following composition and physical characteristics: Mean diameter of agglomerate particles 620 µm; bulk density of agglomerate 505 kg/m³; mean fat droplet diameter after reconstitution 0.34 µm. 10 g of this creamer-thickener was mixed with 6.5 g of asparagus powder, croutons, flavouring substances and spices and this mixture was then reconstituted by addition of 190 ml of boiling water. A rich creamy asparagus soup was obtained with no tendency of lump formation upon reconstitution of the powder. EXAMPLE IV Example III was repeated but now using the following composition as the starting mixture: 1) The reaction product of partial glycerides of edible oils and fats with diacetyl tartaric anhydride having an acid value of 60-85; a saponification value of 380-420 and an iodine value of max. 2; ex PPF International (Trade Mark) After spray-drying the composition in the same way as in Example III, starting with a suspension having a solids content of 52.7% by weight, a coarse white agglomerate was obtained, having the following composition and physical characteristics: Mean diameter of agglomerate particles 455 µm; bulk density of agglomerate 500 kg/m³; particle density 1250 kg/m³; mean oil droplet diameter after reconstitution 0.30 µm. 37 g of this creamer-thickener were blended with 25 g of chicken meat pieces, flavouring substances and spices. The powder was stirred into 1 pint of boiling water in which it dispersed quickly and evenly, without any lump formation, to make a smooth creamy chicken soup of excellent taste.

Claims: 1. A particulate creamer-thickener for foodstuffs and animal feeds comprising: (a) from 5 to 45% by weight of fat; (b) from 0.05 to 5% by weight of emulsifier; (c) from 25 to 75% by weight of hydrolyzed starch; (d) from 20 to 60% by weight of starch thickener; (e) from 0 to 8% by weight of water. 2. A particulate creamer-thickener acccording to Claim 1, comprising from 10 to 25% by weight of fat. 3. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the fat has a melting point of from 30°C to 45°C and has the following dilatation characteristics : N₁₀= 65-95; N₂₀= 35-65; N₃₀=2-­ 20; N₃₅= 0-5. 4. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the fat is selected from the group consisting of chicken fat, butter fat, or beef fat. 5. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claims 1-4, in which the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of edible emulsifying proteinaceous materials, fatty acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof. 6. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claim 5, in which the edible emulsifying proteinaceous material is selected from the group consisting of whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder, alkali metal caseinate, ammonium caseinate, oilseed protein concentrate, oilseed protein isolate, single cell protein, fungal protein, whey protein or whey solids, succinylated proteins, or mixtures thereof. 7. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claim 5, in which the fatty acid derivative is selected from the group consisting of diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and mono-diglycerides of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids and the sodium and potassium salts thereof, C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acid derived-n-lactylic acids, where n ranges on the average from about 1 to 5 and the sodium, potassium and calcium salts thereof, propylene glycol esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids; the glycerol mono- and mono-diesters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids or ethoxylated derivatives thereof and their mixtures with alkali metal soaps of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids; sorbitan esters or polyoxyethylenesorbitan esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids; esters of succinic acid, lactic acid or citric acid with mono- and mono-diglycerides of C₁₂-­ C₂₄ fatty acids or propyleneglycol partial esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids and the sodium and potassium salts thereof; lecithins, hydroxylated and/or at least partially hydrolysed lecithin, sodium stearyl fumarate, polyglycerol esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids, or polymers or condensates of these fatty acids, having from 3 to 10 glycerol units and from 1 to 10 fatty acids per molecule, sucrose esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids or of mono- and mono-diglycerides, or mixtures thereof, with the proviso that the polyglycerol esters, the sucrose esters and the glycerol mono- and mono- diesters are used conjointly with the edidble emulsifying proteinaceous material. 8. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claims 5-7, in which the amount of emulsifier is from 0.05 to 5.0%, preferably from 0.1 to 3.0% by weight of the creamer-thickener. 9. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claims 1-8, in which the hydrolyzed starch has a dextrose equivalent (D.E.) of at most 50. 10. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claims 1-8, in which the hydrolyzed starch has a dextrose equivalent (D.E.) of at most 30. 11. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claims 1-10, in which the amount of hydrolyzed starch is from 30 to 50% by weight of the creamer-thickener. 12. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claims 1-11, in which the starch thickener is selected from the group consisting of the starches of corn, rice, oats, wheat, rye, tapioca, or mixtures thereof, physically or chemically modified starches or mixtures of starches and chemically modified starches. 13. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claims 1-12, in which the amount of starch thickener is from 30 to 50% by weight of the creamer-thickener. 14. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claims 1-13, comprising up to 20% by weight of a flavouring agent. 15. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claim 14, in which the flavouring agent is selected from the group of tomato material, cream flavour, butter flavour, meat flavour, or mixtures of precursor mixtures thereof. 16. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claims 1-14, comprising up to 5% by weight of an edible sequestering agent. 17. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claim 16, in which the edible sequestering agent is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal tripolyphosphate, alkali metal orthophosphate, alkali metal citrate, or mixtures thereof. 18. A particulate creamer-thickener according to Claims 1-17, comprising up to 5% by weight of a functional additive, selected from the group consisting of colouring agents, anti-caking agents, preservatives, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, anti-­ foaming agents, buffers, or mixtures thereof. 19. A creamer-thickener according to Claims 1-18, in which starch thickener granules and fat particles are embedded in a hydrolyzed starch comprising matrix, having controlled hydrating properties. 20. A creamer-thickener according to Claim 19, in which the fat particles are enclosed by an emulsifying proteinaceous material. 21. A creamer-thickener according to Claim 19 or 20, in which the fat droplets after htdration of the creamer-thickener have an average particle size of from 0.2 to 0.5 µm. 22. A creamer-thickener according to Claims 19-21, consisting of agglomerates of primary particles of creamer-thickener material having an average droplet size of from 10 to 100 µm. 23. A creamer-thickener according to Claim 22, in which the agglomerates have an average particle size of from 100 to 1000 µm. 24. A creamer-thickener according to Claim 22 or 23, in which the agglomerates have an average particle size of from 350 to 700 µm. 25. A creamer-thickener according to Claims 22-24, in which the agglomerates have a particle density of from 1200 to 1500 kg/m³. 26. A creamer-thickener according to Claims 22-25, in which the agglomerates have a compacted bulk density of from 300 to 700 kg/m³. 27. A creamer-thickener for foodstuffs and animal feeds substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the non-comparative Examples. 28. Soups, sauces or gravies comprising a creamer-­ thickener according to any one of Claims 1-8 and 10-27. 29. Puddings or custards comprising a creamer-­ thickener according to any one of Claims 1-9 and 11-17. 30. Calf milk replacer, low-calorie food or geriatric diet comprising a creamer-thickener according to any one of Claims 1-27. 31. A process for the preparation of a creamer-­ thickener for foodstuffs and animal feeds according to Claims 1-27, in which the water-soluble constituents of the creamer-thickener, except the starch thickener, are emulsified with the fat, the emulsion is homogenized and the homogenized emulsion is mixed with the starch thickener and subsequently dried and agglomerated. 32. A process according to Claim 31, in which the edible emulsifying proteinaceous material is whole or skimmed milk. 33. A process according to Claim 31, in which the homogenized emulsion is cooled to a temperature below the gelatinization temperature of the starch thickener before the emulsion is mixed with the starch thickener. 34. A process according to Claim 31, in which the drying and the agglomeration are carried out by means of a spray-drying treatment. 35. A process according to Claims 31-34, in which the mixture of the homogenized emulsion and the starch thickener has a solids content of from 45 to 60% by weight. 36. A process for the preparation of a creamer-­ thickener for foodstuffs and animal feeds, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the non-comparative Examples. Claims for the following Contracting States: AT; ES 1. A process for the preparation of an additive for foodstuffs and animal feeds, characterized in that a particulate creamer-thickener comprising: (a) from 5 to 45% by weight of fat; (b) from 0.05 to 5% by weight of emulsifier; (c) from 25 to 75% by weight of hydrolyzed starch; (d) from 20 to 60% by weight of starch thickener; (e) from 0 to 8% by weight of water, is prepared by emulsifying the water-soluble constituents of the creamer-thickener, except the starch thickener, with the fat, homogenizing the emulsion, mixing the homogenized emulsion with the starch thickener and drying and agglomerating the mixture thus obtained. 2. A process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the particulate creamer-thickener comprises from 10 to 25% by weight of fat. 3. A process according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fat has a melting point of from 30°C to 45°C and has the following dilatation characteristics : N₁₀= 65-­ 95; N₂₀= 35-65; N₃₀= 2-20; N₃₅= 0-5. 4. A process according to Claims 1-3, characterized in that the fat is selected from the group consisting of chicken fat, butter fat, or beef fat. 5. A process according to Claims 1-4, characterized in that the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of edible emulsifying proteinaceous materials, fatty acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof. 6. A process according to Claim 5, characterized in that the edible emulsifying proteinaceous material is selected from the group consisting of whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder, alkali metal caseinate, ammonium caseinate, oilseed protein concentrate, oilseed protein isolate, single cell protein, fungal protein, whey protein or whey solids, succinylated proteins, or mixtures thereof. 7. A process according to Claim 5, characterized in that the edible emulsifying proteinaceous material is whole or skimmed milk. 8. A process according to Claim 5, characterized in that the fatty acid derivative is selected from the group consisting of diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and mono-diglycerides of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids and the sodium and potassium salts thereof; C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acid derived-n-­ lactylic acids, where n ranges on the average from about 1 to 5 and the sodium, potassium and calcium salts thereof; propylene glycol esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids; the glycerol mono- and mono-diesters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids or ethoxylated derivatives thereof and their mixtures with alkali metal soaps of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids; sorbitan esters or polyoxyethylenesorbitan esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids; esters of succinic acid, lactic acid or citric acid with mono- and mono-diglycerides of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids or propyleneglycol partial esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids and the sodium and potassium salts thereof; lecithin; hydroxylated and/or at least partially hydrolysed lecithin; sodium stearyl fumarate; polyglycerol esters of C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids, or polymers or condensates of these fatty acids, having from 3 to 10 glycerol units and from 1 to 10 fatty acids per molecule; sucrose esters of C₁₂- C₂₄ fatty acids or of mono- and mono-diglycerides, or mixtures thereof, with the proviso that the polyglycerol esters, the sucrose esters and the glycerol mono- and mono-diesters are used conjointly with the edible emulsifying proteinaceous material. 9. A process according to Claims 5-8, characterized in that the amount of emulsifier is from 0.05 to 5.0%, preferably from 0.1 to 3.0% by weight of the creamer-thickener. 10. A process according to Claims 1-9, characterized in that the hydrolyzed starch has a dextrose equivalent (D.E.) of at most 50. 11. A process according to Claims 1-9, characterized in that the hydrolyzed starch has a dextrose equivalent (D.E.) of at most 30. 12. A process according to Claims 1-11, characterized in that the amount of hydrolyzed starch is from 30 to 50% by weight of the creamer-thickener. 13. A process according to Claims 1-12, characterized in that the starch thickener is selected from the group consisting of the starches of corn, rice, oats, potato, wheat, rye, tapioca, or mixtures thereof, physically or chemically modified starches or mixtures of starches and chemically modified starches. 14. A process according to Claims 1-13, characterized in that the amount of starch thickener is from 30 to 50% by weight of the creamer-thickener. 15. A process according to Claims 1-14, characterized in that the creamer-thickener comprises up to 20% by weight of a flavouring agent. 16. A process according to Claim 15, characterized in that the flavouring agent is selected from the group of tomato material, cream flavour, butter flavour, meat flavour or mixtures or precursor mixtures thereof. 17. A process according to Claims 1-16, characterized in that the creamer-thickener comprises up to 5% by weight of an edible sequestering agent. 18. A process according to Claim 17, characterized in that the edible sequestering agent is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal tripolyphosphate, alkali metal orthophosphate, alkali metal citrate, or mixtures thereof. 19. A process according to Claims 1-18, characterized in that the creamer-thickener comprises up to 5% by weight of a functional additive, selected from the group consisting of colouring agents, anti-caking agents, preservatives, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, anti-foaming agents, buffers, or mixtures thereof. 20. A process according to Claims 1-19, characterized in that, in the creamer-thickener finally obtained, starch thickener granules and fat particles are embedded in a hydrolyzed starch comprising matrix, having controlled hydrating properties. 21. A process according to Claim 20, characterized in that, in the creamer-thickener finally obtained, the fat particles are enclosed by an emulsifying proteinaceous material. 22. A process according to Claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the fat droplets after hydration of the creamer-­ thickener have an average particle size of from 0.2 to 0.5µm. 23. A process according to Claims 20-22, characterized in that the creamer-thickener finally obtained consists of agglomerates of primary particles of creamer-thickener material having an average droplet size of from 10 to 100µm. 24. A process according to Claim 23, characterized in that the agglomerates have an average particle size of from 100 to 1000µm. 25. A process according to Claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the agglomerates have an average particle size of from 350 to 700µm. 26. A process according to Claims 23-25, characterized in that the agglomerates have a particle density of from 1200 to 1500 kg/m³. 27. A process according to Claims 23-26, characterized in that the agglomerates have a compacted bulk density of from 300 to 700 kg/m³. 28. A process according to Claims 1-27, characterized in that the homogenized emulsion is cooled to a temperature below the gelatinization temperature of the starch thickener before the emulsion is mixed with the starch thickener. 29. A process according to Claims 1-28, characterized in that the drying and the agglomeration are carried out by means of a spray-drying treatment. 30. A process according to Claims 1-29, characterized in that the mixture of the homogenized emulsion and the starch thickener has a solids content of from 45 to 60% by weight. 31. A process for the preparation of a cream-thickener for foodstuffs and animal feeds, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the non-comparative Examples. 32. Use of a cream-thickener obtained according to the process of any one of Claims 1-31 in soups, sauces, gravies, puddings, custards, calf milk replacer, low-calorie foods, geriatric diets, or cake, pancake and scone mixes.

Inventors: HAISMAN, DEREK ROBIN, WOOLGAR, GORDON DAVID
Applicants: UNILEVER NV, UNILEVER PLC
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A23L1
IPC codes: C09K3, A23L1, A23C11, A21D2, A23K1