Patent Description:
Consumers are increasingly looking for new and interesting eating experiences. As consumers become more aware of the need for more nutritional foods, particularly foods that encourage children to have a healthier diet, while still desiring enjoyable eating experiences, a new challenge has been to produce foods that fulfill both needs. An additional challenge is that consumers expect that such foods also have fewer and simpler ingredients, while maintaining a quality eating experience.

<CIT> relates to a method for preparing a yoghurt with improved texture, by using dairy ingredients and without the need to add hydrocolloids to the recipe, as such ingredients can detract from the all-dairy, "pure" or "natural" product attractiveness of yoghurt to discerning consumers.

The present disclosure relates to a method of making solid fermented milk compositions having little or no non-dairy stabilizing or non-dairy thickening ingredients.

Provided herein is a method of making a fermented milk base. which includes fermenting a dairy composition having a protein content of <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, with the protein content being <NUM>% to <NUM>% whey protein of the total protein content by weight, to a pH of less than <NUM> using lactic acid bacteria to form a fermented dairy composition that contains less than <NUM>% non-dairy stabilizers or non-dairy thickeners by weight of the fermented milk base, and allowing the fermented dairy composition to set to form the fermented milk base that exhibits a stable form for at least <NUM> days at a temperature of <NUM>° C, wherein the whey protein is polymerized by thermal treatment in solution at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes or at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes prior to being added to the dairy composition to be fermented.

ln some embodiments, a method of making a fermented milk base can include fermenting a dairy composition in a mold. ln some embodiments, a method of making a fermented milk base can include allowing the fermented dairy composition to set in a mold.

ln some embodiments of a method of making a fermented milk base, a fermented milk base can be allowed to set in a mold that functions as packaging.

ln some embodiments of a method of making a fermented milk base provided herein, a dairy composition can be fermented to a pH of less than <NUM>.

These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description.

Fermented milk products include a variety of fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, concentrated fermented milks, and fermented milk drinks. In many countries, fermented milk has a standard of identity. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations describes fermented milk in the Codex Standard <NUM>-<NUM>. Although several ingredients are allowable in fermented milk while maintaining standard of identity, consumers are increasingly looking for simplicity in the foods they eat. One challenge is to provide unique eating experiences while also limiting the types of ingredients that are included in new foods.

While developing a fermented milk product that can be eaten in solid form, and removing most or ail non-dairy stabilizers and thickeners, it was discovered, and is disclosed herein, that the native protein content in milk can be adjusted to provide a solid fermented milk base that exhibits a stable form while maintaining a creamy mouthfeel. Although milk proteins had been previously tested as stabilizers in yogurt, as described in <NPL>), the resulting yogurts were still spoonable rather than solid, and yogurts stabilized with whey proteins were prone to excessive syneresis. However, as disclosed herein, it was discovered that by increasing both the milk protein content and the proportion of whey protein, a ferrnented milk base can provide a unique eating experience while reducing or excluding non-dairy stabilizers or non-dairy thickeners.

As used herein, the term "stable form" refers to a solid state that does not change appreciably in form or eating qualities over time. A fermented milk base provided herein can exhibit a stable form for at least <NUM> days at a temperature of <NUM>° C. That is, although a fermented milk base provided herein is generally packaged to maintain quality and freshness during storage, it can be removed from its packaging and hold a solid, molded shape for at least <NUM> days at <NUM>° C in the absence of a support structure, such as a coating, a capsule, or packaging. Fermented milk base (not included in the scope of the present invention).

A fermented milk base (e.g., a yogurt, a concentrated fermented milk, a flavored fermented milk, or the like) is provided herein, without being included in the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the fermented milk base is free from non-dairy stabilizers and non-dairy thickeners, such as starch, gelatin, pectin, gums, fibers and the like. ln some embodiments, a fermented milk base provided herein includes a small amount of one or more non-dairy stabilizer or non-dairy thickener, such as starch, pectin, or a gum. Preferably, a fermented milk base provided herein does not include gelatin.

One or more non-dairy stabilizer or non-dairy thickener can be added in an amount of up to <NUM>% (e.g., less than <NUM>%, or less than <NUM>%) by weight of a fermented milk base. In some embodiments, a combination of one or more non-dairy stabilizer and one or more non-dairy thickener can be added in an amount of up to <NUM>% (e.g., less than <NUM>%, or less than <NUM>%). It is preferred that any single non-dairy stabilizer or non-dairy thickener ingredient be included in an amount of <NUM>% or less (e.g., less than <NUM>%, or less than <NUM>%) by weight of a fermented milk base. Suitable non-dairy stabilizers and non-dairy thickeners includes, but are not limited to, unmodified or modified starch (e.g., corn starch, tapioca starch, rice starch, and the like), gums (e.g., guar gum, xanthan gum, carob bean gum, gum Arabie, gellan gum, konjac gum, carrageenan, and the like), fibers (e.g., inulin, citrus fiber, and the like), or other stabilizers or thickeners, such as pectin, agar, and the like.

A fermented milk base provided herein contains a protein content of greater than <NUM>% by weight (e.g., about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%). ln addition, a fermented milk base provided herein includes whey protein in an amount of at least <NUM>% (e.g., from <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%) of the total protein content by weight. Once set, a fermented milk base provided herein has a benefit of being able to maintain a stable form in the absence of a support structure. An additional benefit is that the surface of a fermented milk base provided herein tends to have a slippery surface, which lubricates the fermented milk base for easy removal from packaging. In some embodiments, particularly where a slippery surface is not preferred, a non-dairy stabilizer and/or non-dairy thickener can be included to provide a dryer surface.

Whey protein in a fermented milk base provided herein can be from any appropriate source, such as liquid milk (e.g., skim milk, whole milk, concentrated milk, or the like), milk protein concentrate, cream, dry milk (e.g., non-fat dry milk), acid whey, sweet whey, whey protein concentrate, or whey protein isolate, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the whey protein in a fermented milk base provided herein can be polymerized whey protein. Whey protein can be polymerized using any known method, such as heating a whey protein to a temperature of at least <NUM>° C. Up to about <NUM>% (e.g., up to <NUM>%, or up to <NUM>%) of the whcy protein included in a fermented milk base provided herein can be a polymerized whey protein.

Once set (i.e., formed a gel after reaching a pH of less than <NUM>), a fermented milk base provided herein can exhibit a smooth, creamy mouthfeel when chewed. In some embodiments, a fermented milk base can exhibit significant flexibility and slight brittleness. Texture can vary depending on the size and/or shape of the set fermented milk base. However, texture attributes (e.g., firmness) of a fermented milk base provided herein can be measured using standard protocols described below.

A fermented milk base provided herein can have a firmness of at least <NUM> (e.g., at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>) as measured at <NUM> days post fermentation using a TA. XTplus texture analyzer (Stable Micro Systems, Surrey, United Kingdom) using Exponent software. In some embodiments, a fermented milk base provided herein has a firmness of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., from about <NUM> to about <NUM>). As used herein, firmness is measured on <NUM> of a fermented milk base that has set in a <NUM> container having <NUM> diameter opening that tapers to <NUM> diameter at the base, and a <NUM> height (RPC Bebo catalog # <NUM><NUM>; RPC Bebo Food Packaging, Montataire Cedex, France). As used herein, firmness is measured as the peak force in grams from a penetration test using a <NUM> diameter cylindrical probe that has a <NUM> height and a flat base penetrating the fermented milk base at a rate of penetration of <NUM>/s to a depth of <NUM>. In comparison, using the described protocol for measuring firmness, commercially available yogurts generally have a firmness of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a fermented milk base provided herein can include a live and active lactic acid bacteria culture. A live and active bacteria culture can include any appropriate lactic acid bacteria, such as one or a combination of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus. In addition, or alternatively, a live and active bacterial culture can include Lactobacillus species (e.g., Lactobacillus lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus), Lactococcus species (e.g., Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetyllactis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris), Streptococcus species (e.g., Streptococcus sahvarius subsp. thermophilus, Streptococcus lactis var. bollandicus, Streptococcus taette), Bifidobacterium species (e.g., Bifidobacterium lactis), and the like, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a fermented milk base provided herein includes at least 1x10<NUM> colony forming units (cfu) per gram of fermented milk base.

In some embodiments, a fermented milk base can include up to <NUM>% (e.g., up to <NUM>%, up to <NUM>%, or up to <NUM>%) by weight of a fat.

In some embodiments, a fermented milk base provided herein can include one or more additional ingredient, such as a sugar, a flavorant, a colorant, or any combination thereof, to achieve a desired flavor or appearance. For example, a sugar can be included in a fermented milk base provided herein in an amount of up to <NUM>% by weight of the fermented milk base. In another example, a flavorant and/or a colorant (e.g., a fruit or vegetable juice, a flavor extract, a fruit or vegetable puree, a spice, or the like) in an amount of up to <NUM>% by weight of the fermented milk base. In some embodiments, a particulate (e.g., fruit or nut pieces, seeds, confectionary pieces, or the like) can be included in a fermented milk base provided herein. In some embodiments, a fermented milk base provided herein includes no more than <NUM>% by weight of non-dairy ingredients. Methods of making a fermented milk base.

Methods of making a fermented milk base are provided herein. The method of making a fermented milk base according to the present invention comprises (a) fermenting a dairy composition having a protein content of <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, the protein content being <NUM>% to <NUM>% whey protein of the total protein content by weight, to a pH of less than <NUM> using lactic acid bacteria to form a fermented dairy composition that contains less than <NUM>% non-dairy stabilizers or non-dairy thickeners by weight of the fermented milk base, and (b) allowing the fermented dairy composition to set to form the fermented milk base that exhibits a stable form for at least <NUM> days at a temperature of <NUM>, wherein the whey protein is polymerized by thermal treatment in solution at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes or at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes prior to being added to the dairy composition to be fermented.

A dairy composition suitable for fermentation in a method provided herein can be produced by combining dairy-based ingredients, water, and any other ingredients (e.g., sugar, colorants, tlavorants, sugar, and the like) to achieve the desired protein content and whey protein content. For example, dairy-based ingredients, such as liquid milk, milk protein concentrate, cream, dry milk, a whey protein source (e.g., whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, sweet whey, acid whey, or the like), or any combination thereof, can be used in a dairy composition suitable for fermentation.

ln some embodiments, whey protein can be added as a solution to a dairy composition to be fermented. For example, whey protein can be included in a dairy composition to be fermented as a solution having a whey protein concentration of from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% (e.g., about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%) by weight.

Whey protein can be treated to polymerize the whey protein. For example, a whey protein solution can be thermally treated at a temperature of at least <NUM>° C for sufficient time to achieve polymerization of the whey protein. In the method according to the invention, whey protein is polymerized by thermal treatment in solution at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes or at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes prior to being added to a dairy composition to be fermented. For example, a whey protein solution can be thermally treated prior to being added to a dairy composition to be fermented. ln some embodiments, a dairy composition to be fermented can be thermally treated to polymerize whey protein in the dairy composition. For example, whey protein in a dairy composition to be fermented can be polymerized during pasteurization of the dairy composition.

A dairy composition to be fermented can be pasteurized prior to inoculation with lactic acid bacteria. Any appropriate pasteurization protocol can be used. For example, a dairy composition can be pasteurized at about <NUM>° C for about <NUM> minutes. It is to be understood that pasteurization times and temperatures can be adjusted and still achieve pasteurization, as known in the art.

A dairy composition can be inoculated with any appropriate lactic acid bacteria culture or combination of cultures. In some embodiments, a dairy composition is inocuJated with a combination of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus. In some embodiments, however, additional bacteria strains or alternative bacterial strains can be used to achieve the desired fermentation time and characteristics. Examples of other suitable lactic acid bacteria that can be used include, without limitation Lactobacillus species (e.g., Lactobacillus lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus), Lactococcus species (e.g., Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetyllactis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris), Streptococcus species (e.g., Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus, Streptococcus lactis var. bollandicus, Streptococcus taette), Bifidobacterium species (e.g., Bifidobacterium lactis), and the like, and combinations thereof.

The dairy composition is fermented to a pH of less than <NUM> (e.g., less than <NUM>, less than <NUM>, or about <NUM>) to produce a fermented milk base provided herein.

Generally, it is preferred that all the ingredients desired in the finished fermented milk base are included in a dairy composition prior to fermentation. Since fermentation of a dairy composition according to the present disclosure results in a solid fermented milk, it is preferred that a dairy composition be deposited into a mold to complete part or all of its fermentation. In some embodiments, a mold can also serve as packaging for a fermented milk base provided herein. In other embodiments, a fermented milk base can be allowed to set in a mold and then be transferred to packaging. Packaged food products (not included in the scope of the present invention).

Packaged food products containing a fermented milk base are provided herein, without being included in the scope of the present invention. Any appropriate packaging can be used. Particularly preferred are packages that allow a consumer to partially or full y remove a fermented milk base for consumption. For example, a fermented milk base can be packaged in plastic tubes that can be torn or peeled open. ln another example, a fermented milk base can be packaged in a push pop container, such that the fermented milk base can be pushed upward from an opening using a plunger at the base of the container.

A fermented milk base can be packaged in a single serving or as multiple servings.

ln some embodiments, a fermented milk base can be packaged with another food composition, such as a sauce (e.g., chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, fruit sauce, and the like), fruit pieces, confections, nuts, or other edible compositions. For example, a fermented milk base can be packaged with a sauce that is intended to be used to dip the fermented milk base into prior to consumption.

In the following examples, example <NUM> is not according to the method of the present invention, while example <NUM> is according to the method of the present invention.

Dairy compositions were produced using dairy ingredients and a whey protein concentrate (<NUM>% by weight whey protein) according to Table <NUM>.

Each dairy composition in Table <NUM> was pasteurized and homogenized at <NUM> bars, then inoculated with Streptococcus thermophilus and lactohacillus delhrueckii subspecies bulgaricus. The dairy compositions were incubated at <NUM>° C for about <NUM> hours until the pH reached <NUM>. The resulting yogurts are described in Table <NUM>.

Dairy compositions were made using a polymerized whey according to Table <NUM>. Whey proteins were polymerized by heating a <NUM>% whey protein solution to <NUM>° C and holding the temperature at <NUM>° C for <NUM> minutes. The whey protein solution was cooled prior to combining with the remaining ingredients.

The dairy compositions in Table <NUM> were pasteurized, homogenized, inoculated, and incubated according to the method in Example <NUM>. The resulting yogurts are described in Table <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A method of making a fermented milk base, comprising:
a. fermenting a dairy composition having a protein content of <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, the protein content being <NUM>% to <NUM>% whey protein of the total protein content by weight, to a pH of less than <NUM> using lactic acid bacteria to form a fermented dairy composition that contains less than <NUM>% non-dairy stabilizers or non-dairy thickeners by weight of the fermented milk base, and
b. allowing the fermented dairy composition to set to form the fermented milk base that exhibits a stable form for at least <NUM> days at a temperature of <NUM>° C,
wherein the whey protein is polymerized by thermal treatment in solution at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes or at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes prior to being added to the dairy composition to be fermented.