Abstract:
An edible particle composition with fat, flavor and an N 20  of ≧20 is described. The edible particle composition may have butter flavor and can be mixed with a variety of spices, even in the absence of water. The edible particle composition does not require refrigeration and may be applied to food without a kitchen utensil.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention is directed to edible particles. More particularly, the invention is directed to edible particles that comprise flavor such as butter flavor.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Many consumers enjoy the taste of commercial spreads (e.g., Promise Margarine and I Can&#39;t Believe Its Not Butter) on the foods they eat. These spreads may be used, for instance, on breads and vegetables as well as on foods that are being baked, grilled, fried or broiled.  
           [0003]    Often it is desired to have, on foods, the taste provided by spreads without the need of a spread. This invention is directed to edible particles that melt well and that comprise flavors that are typically found in spreads. The edible particles of this invention do not require refrigeration and may be applied to food products without using a kitchen utensil such as a knife.  
           [0004]    Moreover, the superior edible particles of the present invention may also be used for a variety of cooking uses, including grilling, sauteeing and stir-frying. When cooking with the edible particles of this invention, the edible particles create an aroma and a foam-like appearance similar to the aroma and appearance generated by butter during cooking applications. The food products, having been cooked with the edible particles of this invention, unexpectedly display a golden-brown appearance similar to the appearance of foods having been cooked with butter.  
         BACKGROUND MATERIAL  
         [0005]    Efforts have been made to prepare spread compositions. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,254, a reduced fat composition and methods for preparing and using the same are described.  
           [0006]    Still other attempts have been made to prepare spread compositions. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,020, low calorie tablespreads made from liquid triglycerides oil are described.  
           [0007]    Even further, attempts have been made to prepare flakes of baking shortening or lard. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,233, flakes for making pie crust dough are described.  
           [0008]    In U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,710, efforts for making a pourable solid composition are disclosed wherein the solid composition resists agglomeration up to 110° F.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    In a first aspect, this invention is directed to an edible particle composition comprising:  
           [0010]    (a) fat;  
           [0011]    (b) a taste enhancing agent;  
           [0012]    (c) flavor; and  
           [0013]    (d) with or without a flow enhancing agent.  
           [0014]    Optionally, the edible particle composition of this invention may comprise up to 20.0% by weight water, but preferably, has substantially no water. Most preferably, the edible particle composition is made from a precursor that comprises no water.  
           [0015]    In a second aspect, this invention is directed to the edible particle composition of the first aspect of this invention in a package, the package being paper or polymer based and equipped with holes to shake the edible particle composition out or a hole to pour the edible particle composition out.  
           [0016]    In a third aspect, is invention is directed to a process for making the edible particles of the first aspect of this invention.  
           [0017]    As used herein, edible particle and edible particle composition may be used interchangeably. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention may, however, be further understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 shows the edible particles of this invention on a bowl of pasta.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 shows the convex and concave characteristics of the edible particles of this invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 3 a  to  3   c  show containers (or packaging) for dispensing the edible particles of this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    The only limitation with respect to the fat which may be used in this invention is that the fat is edible and has an N 20  of ≧20, and preferably, ≧50, and most preferably ≧70.  
         [0023]    The fat which may be used in this invention may come from a variety of sources as long as the fat that is edible. Such a fat includes oils comprising triglycerides, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and esters of such acids and alcohols. These fats more specifically include:  
         [0024]    (1) vegetable fats and oils, such as soya bean, olive, corn, safflower, sunflower, cotton seed, canola, rape seed, sesame seed, nasturtium seed, tiger seed, rice branch, wall flower and mustard seed;  
         [0025]    (2) meat fats, such as tallow or lard;  
         [0026]    (3) marine oils, such as menhaden, pilchard, sardine, whale or herring;  
         [0027]    (4) nut fats and oils, such as coconut, palm, palm kernel, babbas kernel or peanut;  
         [0028]    (5) milk fats, such as butter fat;  
         [0029]    (6) cocoa butter and cocoa butter substitutes, such as shea, or illipe butter;  
         [0030]    (7) synthetic fats; and  
         [0031]    (8) mixtures thereof.  
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment, however, the fat which is used in this invention is a mixture of vegetable oils like partially hydrogenated cotton seed oil and partially hydrogenated soybean oil. Such a fat is made commercially available from suppliers like Loders Croklaan and sold under the names of, for example, CLSP870, Kaomel, and Kaorich.  
         [0033]    Typically, when preparing the edible particle composition of the present invention, from about 50% to about 95% by weight of fat is used, based on total weight of the edible particle composition. Preferably, however, at least about 75% by weight of the edible particle composition of this invention is fat.  
         [0034]    The taste enhancing agents which may be used in this invention include sodium chloride, monosodium glutamate, spices (e.g., cinnamon and other commercially available spices), and mixtures thereof. There generally is no limitation with respect to the amount of taste enhancing agent employed; however, from about 0.2% to about 22.5% by weight taste enhancing agent (based on total weight of the edible particle composition) is generally employed.  
         [0035]    As to the flavors which may be used in this invention, such flavors include commercially available natural or artificial flavors including flavors which may be classified as butter, lemon, garlic, onion, fruit, or vegetable flavors. Other flavors which may be used in this invention include cheese, sesame, pesto, pepper and garden herb flavors. Such flavors typically make up from about 0.0008% to about 15.0% by weight of the total weight of the edible particle composition. In a preferred embodiment, however, the edible particle composition of this invention preferably has butter flavor.  
         [0036]    As to the other commercially available spices which may be used in this invention, these include parsley, oregano, basil, chili powder, taco seasoning, paprika, italian seasoning, ginger, nutmeg, thyme, cumin, rosemary, dill, mustard, sage, curry or a mixture thereof.  
         [0037]    It is also noted herein that it is within the scope of this invention to add up to 20.0% by weight water to the edible particle composition of the present invention, based on total weight of the edible particle composition. Moreover, it is within the scope of this invention to add flow enhancing agents to the edible particle composition. Such flow enhancing agents include agents such as tricalcium phosphate or maltodextrin or both and they are typically used in amounts from about 0.5% to about 9.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the edible particle composition.  
         [0038]    Other ingredients which may be used in this invention include colorants and vitamins, like vitamin purple (mixture of beta-carotene and vitamin A); emulsifiers like lecithin, Myverol 1804, and Santone; fillers like maltodextrin. Such additives (collectively) typically make up from about 2.5% to about 7.5% by weight of the total weight of the edible particle composition.  
         [0039]    The shape of the edible particle of this invention is limited only to the extent that the resulting product may be poured or shaken out of a dispenser which may be held in the hand. Preferably, the edible particles of this invention are pellet-like, needle-like, hair-like, flake-like or bead-like. More preferably, the edible particles of this invention are in the form of flakes. Flakes (or flake-like), as used herein, are defined to mean shavings similar in appearance to shavings that have been planed off of a block of wood. Most preferably, the edible particles of this invention comprise both a convex and a concave portion.  
         [0040]    Turning to the Figures, FIG. 1 depicts pasta  10   a  in a bowl  12  having edible particles  10   b  as described in the present invention sprinkled thereon. FIG. 2 shows that each particle  10   b  has a substantially concave portion  14  and a substantially convex portion  16 . FIGS. 3 a - 3   c  show containers  18   a - 18   c  (e.g., packages) having opening sections  20   a - 20   c . The opening sections  20   a - 20   c  allow for the edible particle  10   b  to be dispensed or poured onto food (not shown). Containers  18   a  and  18   c  are preferably made of polymeric material (plastic) and container  18   b  is preferably made of paper or cardboard.  
         [0041]    When preparing the edible particles of the present invention, the base ingredients (e.g., emulsifiers, salt, maltodextrin, flavor, vitamin) may be added to melted fat (about 60° C.) and blended. The resulting mixture is pumped through a Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger to be cooled (about 30° C.) and pin mixers to be crystallized and homogenized. Controlled cooling allows obtaining a controlled network of fat crystals that will benefit the product texture, making it more suitable for shredding and obtaining the desired particle appearance. The resulting crystallized plastic fat may then be packed at 90° F. and stored at 50° F. After storage, the completely solid material may then be passed through a commercially available plane-type shredding device to produce edible particles (curl-like shreds or flakes)  10   b . The edible particles can then be mixed with anticaking agents in a tumble mixer. The resulting edible particles having been mixed with anticaking agent can then be sent to a packaging machine for filling into packages.  
         [0042]    It is noted herein that in lieu of the plane-type shredding device, a pellet device may be used to produce edible particles that are pellet-like instead of edible curl-like shreds or flake particles.  
         [0043]    The following examples are provided in order to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. The formulae described in the examples were processed in the manner described above with the plane-type shredding device.  
       EXAMPLE 1  
       [0044]    [0044]                                                             Butter flavored           variant %                                        Kaomel (partially hydrogenated vegetable oil)   71.9665           Kaorich (partially hydrogenated vegetable oil)   4.9505           Standard Lecithin   1.9802           Centrophil M (lecithin)   0.9903           Centrophase NV (lecithin)   0.9903           Santone (emulsifier)   0.3961           Myverol 1804 (emulsifier)   0.3961           Salt   13.3663           Vitamin A/B carotene blend   0.0028           Flavor Tiffany (pure)   0.0030           Theje (pure)   0.0074           Maltodextrin 520   3.9604           Tricalcium phosphate   0.99           Total   100                        
       EXAMPLE 2  
       [0045]    [0045]                                                             Garlic &amp; Herb           Variant %                                        Kaomel (partially hydrogenated vegetable oil)   70.4392           Kaorich (partially hydrogenated vegetable oil)   4.8454           Standard Lecithin   1.9382           Centrophil M (lecithin)   0.9693           Centrophase NV (lecithin)   0.9693           Santone (emulsifier)   0.3877           Myverol 1804 (emulsifier)   0.3877           Salt (extra fine)   13.0826           Vitamin A/B carotene blend   0.0027           Flavor Tiffany (pure)   0.0029           Theje (pure)   0.0073           Maltodextrin 520   3.8763           Tricalcium phosphate   0.9691           Garlic oleoresin flavor   0.1938           Oregano herbs   1.9290           Total   100                        
       EXAMPLE 3  
       [0046]    [0046]                                                             Butter flavored           variant %                                        CLSP (partially hydrogenated vegetable oil)   75.0000           Standard Lecithin   4.0000           Santone (emulsifier)   0.4000           Myverol 1804 (emulsifier)   0.4000           Salt   14.0000           Maltodextrin 520   6.1924           Vitamin A/B carotene blend   0.0027           Flavor Tiffany (pure)   0.0008           Theje (pure)   0.0041           Total   100.0000