Patent Description:
Savoury, particulate compositions comprising tomato powder are well known in the food industry. Tomato (Solanum. lycopersicum) powder is a dried, fine, particulate material that is used as an ingredient in many savoury food products, such as sauces and soups. Tomato powder is a valuable dietary source of lycopene, which is widely considered to be one of the most effective carotenoid antioxidants, possessing free-radical-scavenging activity superior to that of β-carotene.

Typically, tomato powder is included in savoury, particulate food products along with one or more of salt, sugar, taste enhancer, fat, herbs, spices, flavours, starch, and other components.

<CIT> relates to a process for preparing dry sliced tomato/dry diced tomato/dry tomato powder comprising a step of treating slices or dices of tomato with calcium chloride or calcium gluconate solution. <CIT> discloses pKa buffered flavour enhanced reduced moisture partially dried frozen fruits and vegetables. CaCO<NUM>, MgOH KOH, is used to alter the pKa and thus reduces the pH and neutralizes the bitter taste of CaCl<NUM>.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dry, tomato composition having an improved flavour.

Savoury tomato powder comprising food products typically comprise added sugar to provide the consumer with the desired flavour experience. However, consumers increasingly look for food products having a reduced sugar content. There is a need for savoury, tomato powder comprising compositions with a reduced sugar content, compared to traditional savoury, tomato powder comprising compositions.

It has been surprisingly found that savoury particulate compositions containing tomato powder and <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, by weight of the tomato powder, calcium carbonate can be advantageously used in the preparation of savoury food products. By combining tomato powder with a relative small quantity of calcium carbonate, the rich and fruity, rounded tomato flavour notes of the tomato powder can be enhanced.

Thus, one aspect of the present invention pertains to a savoury, particulate composition having a water content of not more than <NUM> wt. % and comprising:.

The invention further pertains to a process for preparing a savoury, particulate composition as described above, and to a method for preparing a sauce, soup, condiment or gravy. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of calcium carbonate as an enhancer of sweet, fruity taste notes of compositions comprising tomato powder.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention relates to a savoury, particulate composition having a water content of not more than <NUM> wt. % and comprising:.

The word 'comprising' as used herein is intended to mean 'including' but not 'consisting of' or 'composed of'.

Unless specified otherwise, numerical ranges expressed in the format 'from x to y' or `x-y' are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format 'from x to y' or 'x-y', it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. For the purpose of the invention ambient temperature is defined as a temperature of about <NUM>.

Unless indicated otherwise, weight percentages (wt. %) are based on the total weight of the composition.

The term "particulate" as used herein refers to a powder or to a granulate.

The term "tomato powder" as used herein refers to a powder obtained from the fruit of the plant Solanum lycopersicum.

The term "calcium carbonate powder" as used herein refers to a particulate material comprising at least <NUM> wt. % matter with the chemical formula CaCOs. The calcium carbonate is obtained from natural sources or alternatively calcium carbonate can be synthesized.

"Natural calcium carbonate" as used herein refers to calcium carbonate obtained from geological sources such as sedimentary rocks, for example, aragonite, calcite, chalk, limestone, marble, tavernite or vaterite, or obtained from biological sources such as eggshells, oyster shells and snail shells.

"Synthesized calcium carbonate" as used herein refers to calcium carbonate" typically obtained by the soda-lime process, the Solvay process or by precipitation. Precipitation calcium carbonate refers to calcium carbonate obtained by a reaction of carbon dioxide and lime in an aqueous environment or by precipitation of a calcium and carbonate ion source in water or by precipitation of calcium and carbonate ions for example calcium chloride and sodium carbonate out of solution.

"D10" "D50" and "D90" as used herein refer to the particle size distributions of a powder. For example, the "D10" is the diameter at which <NUM>% of the sample's mass is comprised of particles with a diameter less than this value. The "D50" is the diameter of the particle that <NUM>% of a sample's mass is smaller than and <NUM>% of a sample's mass is larger than. "D10" "D50" and "D90" can be measured by sieves or by light scattering.

Volume median grain diameter (D<NUM>) can be measured by sieving or by light scattering using a Malvern Mastersizer <NUM> Laser Diffraction System. The method and the instrument are known to the skilled person and are commonly used to determine grain sizes of fillers and pigments.

In a preferred embodiment, the savoury, particulate composition has a water content of not more than <NUM> wt. % and comprises:.

Preferably, the savoury particulate composition includes tomato powder and calcium carbonate powder and is suitable for including as an ingredient in savoury food products.

It is preferred that the savoury, particulate composition comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, by weight of the composition, tomato powder, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> by weight of the composition, tomato powder.

Tomato powders are known in the art. Tomato powders may be produced by spray drying or atomization of tomato pastes. Typically, tomatoes are washed, diced and heated at <NUM> for <NUM> seconds to inactivate the enzymes and then pulped. The tomato pulp is concentrated to <NUM>% solids through vacuum concentration at <NUM> and used as a feed of a spray dryer. The dryer can be operated in co-current pattern and the inlet and outlet air temperatures and rotary wheel atomizer speed maintained at <NUM>, <NUM> <NUM><NUM> rpm, respectively (<NPL>).

Following drying of the concentrated tomato pulp , the dried tomato powder is sieved and the calcium carbonate powder is added and the savoury, particulate composition is transferred to a silo for storage, or transported to a production facility, or sold directly, for use as a food ingredient. Optionally, a size reduction (milling / grinding) step is carried out after the drying step.

Surprisingly, it has been found by including calcium carbonate in the tomato powder, the resultant powder can be used to enhance the rounded, rich and fruity tomato taste to savoury food products. It has been found that additionally, the calcium carbonate and tomato powder provides a sweet taste enhancement.

The tomato powder is preferably selected from the group consisting of hot break tomato powder, cold break tomato powder and combinations thereof. Hot break tomato powder is a powder produced by spray drying a tomato slurry that has been heated to temperatures in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>. This rapid heating destroys enzymes which prevent decomposition of the pectin. Cold break tomato powder is a powder produced by spray drying a tomato slurry that has been heated to temperatures below <NUM>, typically to a temperature in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>. Preferably the tomato powder is a cold break or hot break tomato powder, most preferably the tomato powder is a hot break tomato powder.

In a preferred embodiment, at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % of the tomato powder has a mesh size of less than <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, most preferably at least <NUM> wt. % of the tomato powder has a mesh size of less than <NUM>.

In another preferred embodiment, at least <NUM> wt. % of said tomato powder has a mesh size of more than <NUM>, preferably more than <NUM>, even more preferably more than <NUM>. Preferably, at least <NUM> wt. % of said tomato powder has a mesh size of more than <NUM>, more preferably more than <NUM>, even more preferably more than <NUM>. Preferably, at least <NUM> wt. % of said tomato powder has a mesh size of more than <NUM>, more preferably more than <NUM>, even more preferably more than <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, at most <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at most <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at most <NUM> wt. %, most preferably at most <NUM> wt. % of the tomato powder has a mesh size of less than <NUM>. Preferably, at most <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at most <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at most <NUM> wt. %, most preferably at most <NUM> wt. % of the tomato powder has a mesh size of less than <NUM>.

Preferably, the tomato powder has a volume median grain diameter (D<NUM>) in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, even more preferably in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>.

Preferably, the tomato powder has water content of at <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, by weight of tomato powder, water, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of tomato powder, water, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. Preferably, the tomato powder comprises at most <NUM> wt. %, by weight of tomato powder, water, more preferably at most <NUM> wt.

Preferably, the tomato powder is substantially free of silicon dioxide. By substantially free is meant that the tomato powder comprises less than <NUM> wt. %, preferably less than <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably less than <NUM> wt. % by weight of tomato powder, of silicon dioxide.

Preferably, the savoury, particulate composition comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of the tomato powder, calcium carbonate powder, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of the tomato powder, calcium carbonate powder.

Preferably, the calcium carbonate particles have a volume median grain diameter (D<NUM>) in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, even more preferably in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>.

Preferably, the calcium carbonate does not contain nano-scale particles, e.g. particles with at least one dimension less than <NUM>. Typically, the calcium carbonate does not contain particles that have a number based median particle size D<NUM> of less than <NUM>. For determining the number based median particle size D<NUM> value, a Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS can be used employing dynamic light scattering to determine the equivalent spherical hydrodynamic Stokes diameter.

In a preferred embodiment, the calcium carbonate powder has a specific surface area in the range of <NUM>-<NUM><NUM>/g, preferably in the range of <NUM>-<NUM><NUM>/g, even more preferably in the range of <NUM>-<NUM><NUM>/g, measured using nitrogen and the BET method according to ISO <NUM>:<NUM>.

Preferably, the calcium carbonate is a natural calcium carbonate or precipitated calcium carbonate, preferably a natural calcium carbonate.

Natural calcium carbonate is obtained by milling, grinding or otherwise pulverising a material comprising calcium carbonate. Preferably the natural calcium carbonate is obtained from aragonite, calcite, chalk, limestone, marble, tavernite, vaterite and mixtures thereof. Examples of natural carbonates are Omya Calcipur® <NUM> - KP, Omya Calcipur® <NUM> - KP, Omya Calcipur® <NUM> - KP and Omya Calcipur® <NUM> - KP - KP, available from Omya International AG.

In another preferred embodiment, the natural calcium carbonate or the precipitated calcium carbonate is a surface-reacted calcium carbonate.

The term "surface-reacted calcium carbonate" as used herein refers to a calcium carbonate that is a reaction product of natural ground or precipitated calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and at least one acid, wherein the carbon dioxide is formed in situ as a result of contacting the at least one acid with the natural ground or precipitated calcium carbonate and/or is supplied from an external source.

In a preferred embodiment, the calcium carbonate is a natural calcium carbonate. Natural calcium carbonates may comprise trace amounts of other salts and elements. Preferably, natural calcium carbonate comprises at least <NUM> wt. % calcium carbonate, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % calcium carbonate and most preferably at least <NUM> wt. % calcium carbonate, by total weight of the calcium carbonate.

In preferred embodiments, the natural calcium carbonate comprises an element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, iron, aluminium and arsenic.

Preferably, the natural calcium carbonate comprises between <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of magnesium carbonate by weight of natural calcium carbonate. Preferably, the natural calcium carbonate comprises between <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of magnesium carbonate by weight of natural calcium carbonate.

Preferably, the natural calcium carbonate comprises between <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of iron oxide by weight of natural calcium carbonate. Preferably, the natural calcium carbonate comprises between <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of iron oxide by weight of natural calcium carbonate.

Preferably, the natural calcium carbonate comprises between <NUM>-<NUM> ppm aluminium, more preferably, between <NUM>-<NUM> ppm aluminium.

Preferably, the natural calcium carbonate comprises between <NUM>-<NUM> ppm manganese, more preferably, between <NUM>-<NUM> ppm manganese.

Preferably, the natural calcium carbonate comprises between <NUM> ppm arsenic, more preferably, between <NUM>-<NUM> ppm arsenic.

Typically, a <NUM> wt. % aqueous solution of the savoury, particulate composition comprising tomato powder and <NUM>-<NUM> wt. calcium carbonate has a pH in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> at <NUM>.

Typically, a <NUM> wt. % aqueous solution of the savoury, particulate composition comprising tomato powder and <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % calcium carbonate has a pH in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> at <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, a <NUM> wt. % aqueous solution of the savoury, particulate composition defined herein has a pH at least <NUM> pH units higher than a corresponding tomato powder composition devoid of calcium carbonate, the pH being measured at <NUM>.

The savoury, particulate composition of the present invention preferably comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of water by weight of the composition. More preferably, the savoury, particulate composition of the present invention comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % and most preferably the savoury, particulate composition comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of water by weight of the savoury, particulate composition.

In a preferred embodiment the composition comprises, c) <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, by weight of the composition, edible acid, preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % edible acid, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % edible acid. The weight percentage of edible acid present in the composition according to the invention relates to the sum of the edible acid present in the tomato powder and additional edible acid that may be additionally present in the composition.

Unexpectedly, it was found that when the compositions according to the invention comprise a savoury powder comprising tomato powder, an edible acid(for example citric acid) and calcium carbonate, savoury food products can be prepared that have a sweeter taste profile, than comparative savoury food products that do not contain a tomato powder comprising calcium carbonate and edible acid.

The inventors have also found that the weight of sugar with respect to the weight of tomato powder in a savoury food product can be reduced by, for example at least <NUM> wt. %, preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % when a tomato and calcium carbonate powder according to the invention is included as an ingredient in the savoury food product.

Preferably, the edible acid is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, glucono delta lactone, lactic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, lemon juice, and combinations thereof, preferably wherein the edible acid is citric acid. The edible acid may also be provided from a source of edible acid. Preferably, said source of edible acid is a foodstuff, for example lemon juice.

In a preferred embodiment, the savoury, particulate composition as defined herein comprises:.

wherein the combination of e)-i) comprises at least <NUM> wt. % of the composition.

The savoury, particulate composition of the present invention preferably comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, by weight of the composition, edible salt selected from sodium chloride, potassium chloride and combinations thereof, preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of the composition, edible salt selected from sodium chloride, potassium chloride and combinations thereof.

The savoury, particulate composition of the present invention preferably comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, by weight of the composition, savoury taste giving ingredients selected from glutamate, <NUM>'-ribonucleosides, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and combinations thereof, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, wt. %, most preferably by weight of the composition, savoury taste giving ingredients selected from glutamate, <NUM>'-ribonucleosides, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and combinations thereof.

The savoury, particulate composition of the present invention preferably comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of the savoury, particulate composition of sucrose, glucose and fructose. More preferably, the savoury, particulate composition comprises <NUM>-<NUM>%, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>%, and most preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of the savoury, particulate composition of sucrose, glucose and fructose. The weight percentage of sucrose, glucose and fructose present in the composition of the present invention relates to the sum of the sucrose, glucose and fructose present in the tomato powder and any additional sucrose, glucose and fructose present in the composition.

The term "sugars" as used herein refers to one or more or all of sucrose, glucose and fructose.

In a preferred embodiment, the savoury particulate composition of the present invention comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % lactose, by weight of the savoury, particulate composition more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % and most preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of the savoury, particulate composition of lactose.

The savoury, particulate composition of the present invention preferably comprises <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the composition of glutamate compound, more preferably comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, and most preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, by weight of the composition of glutamate compound.

The glutamate compound in the savoury, particulate composition is preferably selected from glutamic acid, edible glutamate salts and combinations thereof. Suitable sources of a glutamate compound include yeast extracts, yeast auto-lysates, hydrolysed vegetable protein and combinations thereof.

The savoury, particulate composition of the present invention preferably comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % starch compound by weight of the composition, more preferably comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, and most preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, by weight of the composition of starch compound.

The starch compound in the savoury, particulate composition is selected from native starch, pre-gelatinised starch, maltodextrin, modified starch and combinations thereof. Even more preferably, the starch is selected from native starch, pre-gelatinised starch and combinations thereof. Most preferably, the starch component is native starch.

In a preferred embodiment, the savoury particulate composition comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, by weight of the composition, plant matter selected from vegetables, pulses, herbs, spices and combinations thereof, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt.

Examples of sources of plant matter include parsley, dill, basil, chives, sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, curcuma, leek, garlic, onion, pepper, celery, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, tomato, courgette, asparagus, bell pepper, eggplant, cucumber, carrot, coconut flesh, galangal, ginger, lemon grass, and turnips. The plant matter may be applied in the form of leaves, slices, florets, dices or other pieces. The term "plant matter" as defined herein does not include the term "tomato powder" as defined herein.

The savoury particulate composition of the present invention preferably comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of the savoury, particulate composition of fat, more preferably comprises <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, and most preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of the savoury, particulate composition of fat.

The fat employed in the savoury, particulate composition preferably is a vegetable fat. The term "vegetable fat" encompasses vegetable fats that have been fractionated and/or hydrogenated. Examples of vegetable fats that may suitably be used in the savoury concentrate include palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, cottonseed oil, maize oil, olive oil and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the combination of d)-h) comprises at least <NUM> wt. % of the composition, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, yet more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises:.

Preferably, the savoury, particulate composition is a savoury, particulate food product comprising:.

Preferably, the composition according to the present invention is a savoury, particulate food product selected from the group consisting of soup, sauce, condiment, bouillon, seasoning and gravy.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a process for preparing a savoury, particulate composition, said process comprising combining <NUM> parts by weight of tomato powder with <NUM> to <NUM> parts by weight of calcium carbonate powder, wherein at least <NUM> wt. % of said tomato powder has a mesh size of less than <NUM>, and said calcium carbonate powder having a volume median grain diameter (D<NUM>) of <NUM>-<NUM>.

It has been found that by providing a tomato powder including calcium carbonate in a process for preparing a savoury particulate composition, for example a savoury food product, the savoury food product obtained has an improved rich and fruity tomato flavour, also described as being a "rounded" flavour, as opposed to "bland" taste attribute.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a process for preparing a savoury, particulate composition, said process comprising the steps of:.

The preferred embodiments described for the savoury, particulate composition described herein apply mutatis mutandis to the process of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, step i) of the process according to the present invention comprises adding c) <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight edible acid, preferably <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, preferably <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight edible acid.

In a preferred embodiment, step i) of the process according to the present invention comprises adding c) <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of the tomato powder, edible acid, preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % by weight of the tomato powder, edible acid.

Unexpectedly, it was found that providing an edible acid in the process according to the invention provides savoury particulate compositions that can be used to prepare savoury food products that have a sweeter taste profile, than comparative savoury food products that do not contain a tomato powder comprising calcium carbonate and edible acid.

The inventors have also found that the weight of additional sugar with respect to the weight of tomato powder in a savoury food product can be reduced by, for example at least <NUM> wt. %, preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, even more preferably at least <NUM> wt. % when a tomato and calcium carbonate powder to which <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % edible acid is added, by weight of tomato powder, is included as an ingredient in the savoury food product.

In a preferred embodiment, the particulate food ingredients added in step ii) of the process according to the invention are selected from:.

Preferably, step ii) of the process of the present invention comprises the combining of the following ingredients:.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention also relates to a savoury, particulate composition as defined herein obtainable by a process described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a savoury, particulate composition having a water content of not more than <NUM> wt. % comprising:.

the savoury, particulate composition being obtainable by a process described herein.

In another preferred embodiment, there is provided a savoury, particulate composition having a water content of not more than <NUM> wt. % comprising.

the savoury, particulate composition being obtainable by a process comprising the steps of:.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a sauce, soup, condiment or gravy, said method comprising combining <NUM> parts of the particulate, savoury particulate composition described herein, or obtainable by the process described herein, with <NUM>-<NUM> parts of an aqueous liquid to obtain a mixture.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to the use of calcium carbonate as an enhancer of rounded, rich and fruity taste notes of compositions comprising tomato powder.

Unexpectedly, the presence of <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, by weight of tomato powder, calcium carbonate in the tomato powder provides a flavour enhancement of the rounded, rich and fruity taste notes of tomato powder comprising compositions.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention relates to the use of the combination of calcium carbonate and citric acid as an enhancer of rounded, sweet flavour taste notes of compositions comprising tomato powder. It has been found that inclusion of a tomato powder that includes both calcium carbonate and citric acid give the resultant food product a pleasing sweet taste, even when less sugar than typically used is added to a food product. By less is meant, at least <NUM> wt. % less sugar.

The invention shall now be illustrated by the further non-limiting examples.

Aqueous solutions made from tomato powder were prepared as model recipes according to the following recipe: <NUM> tomato powder (Organic Tomato Powder, Agraz, Spain) was dissolved in <NUM> water. As a reference, standard tomato powder with <NUM> % silicon dioxide was used (Tomato Powder Hot Break, Agraz, Spain), sucrose (Suedzucker Aktiengesellschaft Germany) and citric acid (anhydrous, granular, Jungbunzlauer, Germany) being added in the amounts given in Table <NUM>. The mixtures were mixed in a Kenwood mixer for <NUM>-<NUM> minutes at a speed setting <NUM>-<NUM>.

A taste test panel was conducted to assess the taste profile of the compositions shown in Table <NUM>. The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

Aqueous solutions of tomato powder and calcium carbonate were prepared according to the method of example <NUM>. Sample A is a comparative example that was prepared using a tomato powder that did not contain calcium carbonate, while samples F and G are comparative examples with low amounts of calcium carbonate. Samples <NUM> and <NUM> correspond to compositions of the present invention, with each composition included a different amount of calcium carbonate, as indicated in Table <NUM>.

The compositions according to the invention (samples <NUM> and <NUM>) were recognized by a rounded, rich and fruity mouthfeel with a dominant sweet taste attribute.

Aqueous solutions of tomato powder (Organic Tomato Powder, Agraz, Spain) and calcium carbonate (Omya International AG) were prepared according to the method of example <NUM>, with each sample <NUM>-<NUM> containing <NUM> wt. % calcium carbonate having a particle size as shown in Table <NUM>.

A taste test panel was conducted to assess the taste profile of the compositions shown in Table <NUM>. Comparative example A had a sour taste whereas samples <NUM>-<NUM> had a rounded, rich and fruity taste.

Tomato model recipes were prepared according to the following general recipe in Table <NUM>.

<NUM> of the above recipe was mixed with <NUM> water and mixed in a Kenwood mixer for <NUM>-<NUM> minutes.

The effect of altering the sugar content of the tomato model recipe in the presence / absence of calcium carbonate and/or citric acid was tested by preparing samples H, <NUM>-<NUM> according to the recipes shown in Table <NUM>.

A taste test panel was conducted to assess the taste profile of the compositions shown in Table <NUM>. The results of the taste test panel are shown in Table <NUM>.

Sample <NUM> and <NUM> that comprise <NUM> wt. % calcium carbonate have at least the same, or a more sweet profile than the comparative sample H that lacks calcium carbonate. In addition, inclusion of citric acid (sample <NUM>) provides a sweet taste attribute yet has a reduced sugar content, based on the weight of tomato powder.

Three tomato mixes were prepared as indicated in Table <NUM>:.

Compositions <NUM> was found to have a sweeter taste than composition I (comparative).

Compositions <NUM> and <NUM> were found to be sweeter than composition K (comparative).

Claim 1:
A savoury, particulate composition having a water content of not more than <NUM> wt.% and comprising:
a) <NUM>-<NUM> wt.%, by weight of the composition, tomato powder, wherein at least <NUM> wt.% of said tomato powder has a mesh size of less than <NUM>,
b) <NUM>-<NUM> wt.%, by weight of the tomato powder, calcium carbonate powder, said calcium carbonate powder having a volume median grain diameter (D<NUM>) of <NUM>-<NUM>.