Abstract:
A reduced fat beverage and a method of making the same is disclosed. A method for making a reduced-fat beverage includes destabilizing a base solution, the base solution comprising a fat component and non-fat components. The method also includes separating the fat component from the non-fat components and removing the fat component from the base solution.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/251,948, filed Oct. 15, 2009, and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REDUCED-FAT COMPOSITION.” 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    This invention relates in general to food products and, more particularly, to systems and methods for producing a reduced-fat composition. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The market for low- or reduced-fat beverages, including soy and other nut- or grain-derived liquids is expanding. However, the use of certain ingredients used to make reduced-fat beverages, including soy protein isolate and low-fat soy flour, may result in a finished product that contains undesirable or inferior flavors. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with making reduced-fat beverages have been substantially reduced or eliminated. 
         [0005]    In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for making a reduced fat beverage includes destabilizing a base solution, the base solution comprising a fat component and non-fat components. The method also includes separating the fat component from the non-fat components. Additionally, the method includes removing the fat component from the base solution. 
         [0006]    Technical advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure include providing a reduced-fat soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, or other beverage. Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure may be operable to produce a reduced-fat soy milk without using a soy protein isolate or low-fat soy flour, each of which may include undesirable tastes or flavor characteristics. Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure may be operable to demulsify and/or separate oil from a base solution without using chemical demulsifying additives. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide for a reduced-fat beverage that includes the nutritional and flavor profile of full-fat beverages. As a result, the present disclosure provides numerous technical advantages. 
         [0007]    Other technical advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure, including a base solution, a sonicator, a microwave, and a centrifuge; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a method for making a reduced-fat organically-derived beverage in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a particular embodiment of a system  10  for making a reduced-fat beverage. System  10  may include sonicator  30 , microwave  40 , and centrifuge  50 . In general, sonicator  30  may apply sound waves to a base solution  20 . Additionally, microwave  40  may apply microwaves to base solution  20 . Either or both of these processes may destabilize oil in base solution  20 . The destabilized base solution  20  may be centrifuged in centrifuge  50 , whereby the oil is separated from the oil-in-water emulsion. 
         [0012]    Base solution  20  may represent any emulsified solution suitable for human consumption. In particular embodiments, base solution  20  may represent any plant-derived emulsified solution, including, but not limited to, soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, or coconut milk. Base solution  20  may be formed by fine-grinding a raw ingredient, (such as, for example, soy beans or almonds) into a paste or powder, to which water or other liquid is added. For example, soy beans may be ground at an appropriate temperature and under appropriate conditions. The ground soy beans may then be added to water or other liquid. The ground soy bean and water mixture may be mixed thoroughly together to suspend the ground soy bean particles in the water or other liquid. The final mixed solution may be referred to as soy milk. Due to oils present in the raw ingredient, such as soy bean oils, the base solution  20  may contain a certain amount of oil as an oil-in-water emulsion. 
         [0013]    Sonicator  30  may represent any machine or device operable to generate sound energy. Sound energy may include, but is not limited to, ultrasound waves. In particular embodiments, base solution  20  may be placed in a container that is placed in a water bath. In other embodiments sonicator  30  may apply sound waves to base solution  20  as base solution  20  is being conveyed through hoses, pipes or tubes between or among various components of system  10 . In such embodiments, sound waves may be able to penetrate the pipes conveying based solution  20  to destabilize the oil in base solution  20 . Sonicator  30  may generate sound energy at a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time as base solution  20  is at a predetermined temperature which agitates oil in base solution  20  (a process which may be referred to as “sonicating”). For example, in particular embodiments of system  10 , base solution  20  may be subjected to ultrasonic waves for thirty minutes. Additionally, the water used by sonicator  30  and/or base solution  20  may have a temperature of approximately between one (1) and one hundred (100) degrees Celsius. In particular embodiments, the water used by sonicator  30  and/or base solution  20  may have a temperature of approximately seventy (70) degrees Celsius. In general however, the water used by sonicator  30  and/or base solution  20  may have any appropriate temperature suitable to perform the described functionality. As a result, sonicator  30  may destabilize oil in base solution  20 . In particular embodiments, oil in base solution  20  may become at least partially or substantially demulsified after sound energy is applied by sonicator  30 . 
         [0014]    Microwave  40  may represent any device or machine operable to generate microwave energy. In particular embodiments, base solution  20  may be placed in a container that is then placed in microwave  40  and irradiated by microwave energy generated by microwave  40 . In other embodiments microwave  40  may apply microwave energy to base solution  20  as base solution  20  is being conveyed through pipes or tubes between or among various components of system  10 . In such embodiments, microwave energy may be able to penetrate the pipes conveying base solution  20  to agitate the oil in base solution  20 . Microwave  40  may generate microwave energy at a predetermined frequency and/or intensity for a predetermined period of time. For example, microwave  40  may generate microwave energy for a time approximately between one (1) second and five (5) minutes. In particular embodiments, base solution  20  may be subjected to microwave energy for approximately ninety (90) seconds. In other embodiments, base solution  20  may be subjected to microwave energy for approximately (10) seconds. In general, however, microwave  40  may apply microwaves to base solution  20  in any appropriate manner. As a result, microwave  40  may destabilize oil in base solution  20 . Thus, microwave  40  may at least partially or substantially demulsify oil in base solution  20 . 
         [0015]    Centrifuge  50  may separate demulsified oil from other non-fat components of base solution  20 . In particular embodiments, centrifuge  50  includes separate, individualized compartments into which portions of base solution  20  are placed. Centrifuge  50  may centrifuge or centrifugalize the relevant portions of base solution  20  for a predetermined time at a predetermined revolutions per minute. In particular embodiments, centrifuge  50  may rotate base solution  20  at approximately 10,000 revolutions per minute for approximately one minute. However, centrifuge  50  may operate at a substantially higher or lower number of revolutions per minute, including from 1000 to 20,000 revolutions per minute. In other embodiments, centrifuge  50  may include a single tank or compartment in which base solution  20  is placed. In such embodiments, centrifuge  50  may operate continuously. For example, base solution  20  may be inserted into centrifuge  50  as separated oil and other components separately discharged through one or more outlets. The particular number of revolutions per minute at which centrifuge  50  operates may be configured according to the particular base solution  20  used, the desired resulting fat content of the finished product, and/or the overall capabilities of system  10 . 
         [0016]    In operation, an operator of system  10  places base solution  20  in a jar, beaker, or other suitable container. As noted above, base solution  20  may comprise any emulsified solution, including, but not limited to a plant-derived emulsified solution. For purposes of this example, the following described operation assumes a soy-derived solution, commonly referred to as soy milk. 
         [0017]    Once base solution  20  is placed in a jar, beaker, or other suitable container, an operator of system  10  may place base solution  20  in a water bath associated with sonicator  30 . As noted above, sonicator  30  may apply sound energy at an appropriate frequency for a predetermined amount of time. For example, sonicator  30  may apply sound energy (which may include ultrasound waves) to base solution  20  for thirty (30) minutes while the water and/or base solution  20  is at a temperature of approximately seventy (70) degrees Celsius. In general however, as noted above, sonicator  30  may apply sound energy to base solution  20  for any appropriate amount of time at any appropriate temperature. Sonicator  30  may cause or facilitate at least the partial demulsifying of oil from base solution  20 . 
         [0018]    Additionally, base solution  20  may be placed in microwave  40  and microwaved for a predetermined amount of time. As discussed above, base solution  20  may be microwaved in microwave  40  for approximately 90 seconds. Particular embodiments of system  10  may include base solution  20  being microwaved for substantially more or substantially less time than 90 seconds. Microwave energy may cause or facilitate the demulsifying of oil from base solution  20 . As a result, by microwaving and/or sonicating base solution  20 , base solution  20  may be demulsified without using chemical demulsifying additives, such as, for example, Phenolformaldehyde Ethoxylated Alcohol, Lecithin, Mono-Glyceride, Di-Glyceride, Polysorbate 20, or Polysorbate 60. Additionally, as indicated by arrows in FIG.  1 , particular embodiments of system  10  may include either sonicating base solution  20  or microwaving base solution  20 , or both sonicating base solution  20  and microwaving base solution  20 . In embodiments of system  10  in which base solution  20  is both sonicated and microwaved, base solution may be sonicated and then microwaved, or microwaved and then sonicated. The particular order of operations may depend on the particular base solution  20  used, the particular microwave  40  and centrifuge  50  used, and/or any other appropriate considerations, variables, or factors. 
         [0019]    Once base solution  20  is sonicated in sonicator  30  and/or microwaved in microwave  40 , base solution  20  may be centrifuged in centrifuge  50 . As discussed above, centrifuge  50  may separate destabilized oil from water or other components of base solution  20 . In particular embodiments, centrifuge  50  may operate continuously. For example, centrifuge may receive microwaved and/or sonicated base solution  20  from one or more inlets while base solution  20  and/or oil that has been separated from base solution  20  are discharged through one or more separate outlets. In such embodiments, centrifuge  50  may have outlets located near an upper region of centrifuge  50  to remove oil as it becomes separated from water and other components of base solution  20 . As a result, oil may be removed from base solution  20 . 
         [0020]    Additionally, in particular embodiments of system  10 , the process described above may be partially or fully automated. For example, one or more hoses, pipes, tubes or other conveyance mechanisms may convey base solution  20  between or among various components of system  10 . An operator may place base solution  20  in a container, from which base solution  20  is conveyed through a conveyance mechanism to sonicator  30  and/or microwave  40 . Sonicator  30  and/or microwave  40  may be located external to the conveyance mechanism, and may transmit sound waves and/or microwaves towards the conveyance mechanism. The relevant sound waves or microwaves may penetrate the conveyance mechanism to destabilize base solution  20  as base solution  20  flows through the conveyance mechanism. In particular embodiments, system  10  may be configured such that base solution  20  passes through sonicator  30  and/or microwave  40  one or more times in order to sufficiently destabilize oil in base solution  20 . After being sonicated and/or microwaved, base solution  20  may be conveyed to centrifuge  50 . As discussed above, centrifuge  50  may be operable to receive a particular portion of base solution  20  as it concurrently discharges separated oil and other components of another particular portion of base solution  20 . Particular embodiments of system  10  may allow an operator of system  10  to control the flow rate of base solution  20  through a conveyance mechanism between or among various components of system  10  to control the percentage of oil in base solution  20  removed by centrifuge and/or to control the overall amount of reduced-fat composition produced by system  10 . In general, the processes described above may allow system  10  to operate in batches, semi-continuously, or continuously depending on the configuration of the various elements within system  10  and the desires of an operator of system  10 . 
         [0021]    By sonicating and/or microwaving base solution  20 , and centrifuging the resulting sonicated and/or microwaved base solution  20 , system  10  may produce a reduced-fat beverage. In particular embodiments, system  10  may be operable to produce a reduced-fat soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, or other similar nut- or grain-derived beverage. Additionally, system  10  may be operable to produce a reduced-fat soy milk without using a soy protein isolate or low-fat soy flour, each of which may include undesirable tastes or flavor characteristics. Additionally, system  10  may be operable to demulsify and/or separate oil in an oil-in-water emulsion without using chemical demulsifying additives. Thus, system  10  may provide for a reduced-fat, beverage that includes the nutritional and flavor profile of full-fat beverages. As a result, system  10  may include numerous operational benefits. Nonetheless, particular embodiments may provide some, none, or all of these benefits and may provide additional benefits. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating example operation of a particular embodiment of system  10 . Operation, in the illustrated example begins at step  200  with an operator of system  10  placing base solution  20  in a jar, beaker, or other suitable container. As noted above, base solution  20  may comprise any emulsified solution, including, but not limited to nut- or grain-derived emulsified solutions, or a blend of one or more nut- or grain-derived emulsified solutions. For purposes of example,  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of system  10  in which the emulsified solution is a soy-derived solution, such as soy milk. 
         [0023]    At step  202 , sonicator  30  may apply sound energy to base solution  20  to destabilize oil in base solution  20 . In particular embodiments, base solution  20  may be placed in a water bath associated with sonicator  30 . As noted above, sonicator  30  may be operable to apply sound energy at an appropriate frequency for a predetermined amount of time. For example, sonicator  30  may apply sound energy for approximately between one (1) second to thirty (minutes) with base solution at a temperature of between approximately one (1) degree Celsius to one hundred (100) degrees Celsius. In particular embodiments, sonicator  30  may apply sound energy to base solution  20  for approximately 30 minutes while the water and/or base solution  20  is at a temperature of approximately seventy (70) degrees Celsius. In general, however, as noted above, sonicator  30  may apply sound energy to base solution  20  for any appropriate amount of time at any appropriate temperature. Sonicator  30  may cause or facilitate at least partial demulsifying of oil from base solution  20 . 
         [0024]    At step  204 , base solution  20  may be placed in microwave  40  and microwaved for a predetermined amount of time. As discussed above, base solution  20  may be microwaved in microwave  40  for approximately ninety (90) seconds. In general, however, base solution  20  may be microwaved for substantially more or substantially less time than ninety (90) seconds. In particular embodiments, microwave  40  may apply microwaves to base solution  20  for ten (10) seconds. Microwave energy may destabilize oil in base solution  20 , and may cause or facilitate at least the partial demulsifying oil from base solution  20 . As a result, by microwaving and/or sonicating base solution  20 , base solution  20  may be demulsified without using chemical demulsifying additives. Additionally, particular embodiments of system  10  may include either sonicating base solution  20  in step  202  or microwaving base solution  20  in step  204 , or both sonicating base solution  20  in step  202  and microwaving base solution  20  in step  204 . In particular embodiments, step  204  may be performed before step  202 . The particular order of operations may depend on the particular base solution  20  used, the particular sonicator  30 , microwave  40  and/or centrifuge  50  used, and/or any other appropriate considerations, variables, factors. 
         [0025]    In step  206 , base solution  20  may be centrifuged in centrifuge  50 . As discussed above, centrifuge  50  may separate destabilized and/or demulsified oil from water or other components of base solution  20 . Oil in an oil-in-water emulsion may rise to a relative upper portion of base solution  20  while water and other components of base solution  20  may sink to a relative lower portion of base solution  20 . In particular embodiments, centrifuge  50  may receive microwaved and/or sonicated base solution  20  from one or more inlets while separated oil and other components of base solution  20  are discharged through one or more separate outlets. In such embodiments, centrifuge  50  may have piping located near an upper region of centrifuge  50  to remove oil as it becomes separated from other components of base solution  20 . 
         [0026]    In step  208 , oil may be removed from base solution  20 . In particular embodiments, substantially all destabilized and separated oil is removed from base solution  20 . In general, however, any appropriate portion of oil may be removed. In particular embodiments, the amount of fat removed from base solution  20  may be controlled by an operator of system  10  by controlling the flow rate of base solution  20  into and/or out of centrifuge  50 , and/or by controlling the number of revolutions per minute at which centrifuge  50  rotates base solution  20 . As a result, oil may be removed from base solution  20  to make a beverage containing a desired percentage of fat. For example, particular embodiments of the described techniques may be utilized to produce a beverage or other composition having a fat content ranging from approximately 0% to 10% fat. 
         [0027]    The steps illustrated in  FIG. 2  may be combined, modified, or deleted where appropriate, and additional steps may also be added to those shown. Additionally, the steps may be performed in any suitable order without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0028]    Although the present disclosure has been described with several embodiments, numerous changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.