Patent Description:
Chocolate products are consumed in great quantities, particularly in Europe and North America. They contain significant amounts of both sugar and fat and are therefore rich in calories. Low calorie or reduced fat alternatives have been developed but are rarely successful. Indeed, consumers tend to treat chocolate as an indulgence, its appeal lying principally in its sensorial properties (such as taste, mouth-feel, snap and so on) rather than any nutritional benefit. And, unfortunately, low calorie and reduced fat products struggle to match the sensorial properties of their full-fat, full-calorie equivalents. It has thus been a long-time objective in the chocolate industry to develop chocolate products with a reduced fat and/or calorie content which, nonetheless, retain the sensorial properties of the original product.

One approach has involved reducing the fat content of chocolate products by replacing at least part of the fat by a water-in-oil emulsion. Unfortunately, the preparation of such water-containing chocolates has proved to be a very difficult task: technologies that are currently available tend to have a negative impact on taste, texture, processability, stability and/or shelf-life. Even when only adding small amounts of water, this causes severe rheological changes in the product, usually accompanied by lumping and/or granulation and a coarse unacceptable mouth-feel. The addition of larger quantities of water, usually in the form of fresh cream or full cream milk, results in the production of "ganache" which is conventionally used as a short shelf-life filling for truffles or as a topping for confections. Ganache is the confectioner's term for a phase-inverted (i.e. oil-in-water) chocolate preparation and has a softer eating texture than normal chocolate and does not have the sought-after snap of traditional chocolate when broken.

In more detail, <CIT> describes a milk chocolate containing <NUM>-<NUM>% water in which the chocolate preparation is produced by mixing cocoa butter with cocoa ingredients in the presence of an edible emulsifier, so that the ingredients are thoroughly coated with cocoa butter. The mixture is then blended with an aqueous phase prepared separately by mixing water, sweetener and milk solids to give a uniform mixture without resulting in high viscosity. The mixing is kept to a minimum speed to avoid exposing the cocoa solids in the cocoa butter to the water, whilst still producing a uniform mixture. If the cocoa solids in the cocoa butter were exposed to water, undesirable high viscosities such as gum formation and lumps of the mixed products as well as separation of the mixed products would result. Unfortunately, this slow mixing also results in an unstable product, with large water droplets, susceptible to phase separation, an undesirable mouth-feel and a much reduced shelf-life.

<CIT> discloses chocolate products based on oil-in-water suspensions. These will inherently suffer from a number of drawbacks including reduced stability (compared to products based on water-in-oil emulsions), a dependency on structuring agents (to structure and sufficiently solidify the aqueous phase) and an undesirable texture and mouth-feel. In particular, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to use the claimed technology to make chocolate products with a desirable "snap".

<CIT> discloses a water-in-oil emulsion prepared using equal parts of water and cocoa butter. The emulsion is mixed with standard dark chocolate (melted) to produce a water-containing dark chocolate. The dark chocolate can then be mixed with a fat suspension of milk powder to produce a water-containing milk chocolate. These products are not sweetened other than by the sugar content of the dark chocolate, resulting in a sugar reduction of up to <NUM>%. This would lead to a considerable change in the final taste of the chocolate and, most likely, significantly reduce its consumer appeal.

<CIT> discloses water-containing soft coating chocolate products for use in ice-cream confectionery. To maintain a good texture even at the extreme temperatures of a frozen product, water-in-oil emulsions are produced with vegetable oils and then added to a melted chocolate product. Thus, the resulting product will in fact have a higher fat content, a poor "snap" at room temperature and, because of the vegetable oil content, could not be labeled as chocolate.

<NPL>) studies the characteristics of various cocoa butter based water-in-oil emulsions. They are prepared by blending cocoa butter and an emulsifier at approximately <NUM>. An aqueous sugar solution is also heated to <NUM> and added to the cocoa butter composition. The ingredients are then mixed with a high shear mixer, fitted with a fine emulsifier screen. This resulting pre-emulsion is pumped through a margarine line comprising a scraped surface heat exchanger (SSHE - or "A unit") and a pin stirrer (or "C unit"). The resulting compositions were fully emulsified, with no free water.

Nearly all experiments described in Norton are carried out with a <NUM>% sugar solution, an aqueous phase of <NUM>% and a fat content of <NUM>%. These resulted in emulsions with water droplets of approximately <NUM> in diameter. Emulsions comprising <NUM>% water are disclosed, but appear to be much less stable. Indeed, the increase in water content leads to a significant increase in the average water droplet size (with up to <NUM>% of the droplets having a diameter of over <NUM>). What's more, Norton does not disclose the production of any chocolate products - and it is not clear how the emulsions could be used to produce stable products with a sufficiently high sugar content to achieve a good taste.

<CIT> discloses chocolate products comprising a water-in-oil emulsion. <CIT> discloses an edible aerated water-in-oil emulsion comprising a fat phase; an emulsifier; and an aqueous phase along with methods of making such emulsions.

There is therefore still a need in the market for improved emulsion-based chocolate products with a reduced fat content and/or reduced calories. The present invention addresses this need.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for the production of a stable water-in-oil emulsion comprising a fat phase and an aqueous phase, wherein the process comprises: (a) a pre-mixing step, wherein the aqueous phase and fat phase are blended under low shear using a stirrer tip speed of less than <NUM>/s; (b) a single high shear emulsification step wherein the aqueous phase and fat phase are mixed under high shear using a stirrer tip speed of at least <NUM>/s in a scraped surface heat exchanger for up to <NUM> seconds, wherein the outlet temperature of the emulsion is <NUM>-<NUM>; and (c) a cooling step to cool the emulsion to a temperature of <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein the fat phase consists essentially of cocoa butter and one or more emulsifiers and wherein the emulsion obtained in step (b) is not subsequently subjected to any further high shear mixing using a stirrer tip speed of at least <NUM>/s.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for the manufacture of a chocolate product, characterized in that it comprises the step of mixing the above emulsion with a chocolate composition.

The present invention provides a process for the production of a stable water-in-oil emulsion comprising a fat phase and an aqueous phase, wherein the process comprises: (a) a pre-mixing step, wherein the aqueous phase and fat phase are blended under low shear using a stirrer tip speed of less than <NUM>/s; (b) a single high shear emulsification step wherein the aqueous phase and fat phase are mixed under high shear, using a stirrer tip speed of at least <NUM>/s in a scraped surface heat exchanger for up to <NUM> seconds, wherein the outlet temperature of the emulsion is <NUM>-<NUM>; and (c) a cooling step to cool the emulsion to a temperature of <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein the fat phase consists essentially of cocoa butter and one or more emulsifiers and wherein the emulsion obtained in step (b) is not subsequently subjected to any further high shear mixing using a stirrer tip speed of at least <NUM>/s.

The term "stable" as used herein refers to physical stability of the water-in-oil emulsion in that the water present in the emulsion does not seep out of the emulsion, thus that substantially no phase separation occurs. Preferably substantially no phase separation occurs over a period of at least <NUM> week, more preferably at least <NUM> weeks, even more preferably at least <NUM> weeks, even more preferably at least <NUM> month. The term stable can also refers to microbial stability of the water-in-oil emulsion of the present invention, thus to an increased shelf-life of the water-in-oil emulsion.

The term "fat phase" as used herein refers to any solid or liquid fat or oil, or mixture thereof, together with any ingredient that is miscible therein or has the ability to dissolve therein at ambient temperature. The fat phase consists essentially of cocoa butter and one or more emulsifiers.

Suitable emulsifiers are well known in the art and include, by way of illustration only, lecithin (such as soy lecithin), sugar esters, polyglycerol fatty acid esters, polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), and polysorbates (such as a polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester). Advantageously, the emulsifier will be PGPR. The emulsifier will preferably be present in an amount of up to <NUM>% by weight (more preferably up to <NUM>% most preferably up to <NUM>%), based on the total weight of the fat phase.

The term "aqueous phase" as used herein refers to any aqueous composition, together with any solid or liquid ingredients which are miscible with water or that have the ability to dissolve in water at ambient temperature. For example, the aqueous phase may comprise a sugar (such as sucrose, glucose or fructose), a sweetener (such as polyols or high intensity sweeteners), a syrup (such as high fructose corn syrup, glucose syrup, agave syrup, honey, maple syrup or molasses), fruit juice, fruit purée, milk (e.g. skimmed, partially skimmed or whole milk, whether in its normal form, dehydrated or partially dehydrated form, in the form of a cream, or of a non-dairy milk product such as soy milk), infusions (such as tea, coffee, and other herbal or spice based infusions), liqueur (and other alcohol based liquids), and mixtures of two or more thereof. Alternatively, the aqueous phase may simply consist of water. Preferably, the aqueous phase will consist of water or of a solution of sugar(s) in water.

The aqueous phase may further comprise a structuring agent. A structuring agent will be understood to be an ingredient which is capable of binding and/or structuring water, e.g. to form an aqueous gel. Preferably, the structuring agent will be a hydrocolloid. Examples of hydrocolloids include both proteins and polysaccharides such as albumin, gelatin, carrageenan, pectin, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, locust bean gum, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, starch and starch derivatives. Advantageously, the structuring agent will be carrageenan. When used, the structuring agent will preferably be present in an amount of <NUM>% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous phase.

Other optional ingredients that may beneficially be incorporated into the aqueous phase include flavoring agents, nutraceuticals (such antioxidants, vitamins or minerals) and preservatives (such as sodium chloride).

According to the method of the present invention, the fat phase and aqueous phase are emulsified under high shear. High shear mixers for use in the preparation of emulsions are well known in the art. The mixer will have a stirrer tip speed of of at least <NUM>/s and is a scraped surface heat exchanger (SSHE), e.g. of the kind typically found in a margarine line (such as the Schröder SSHE referred to in <NPL>).

The outlet temperature of the emulsion is <NUM>-<NUM>. This may mean, for example, that the high-shear mixer used for the emulsification step has a jacket temperature of <NUM>-<NUM>. Emulsification will preferably be continued until the aqueous phase is fully dispersed throughout the fat phase, forming a fine, homogeneous emulsion. The fat phase and aqueous phase will be emulsified for up to <NUM> seconds.

Industrial emulsification processes, such as those used for the production of margarine, will typically involve two discreet high-sheer emulsification steps, as mentioned in the Background section, above: with the oil/water mixture passing first through a scraped surface heat exchanger (or "A unit") and then through a pin stirrer (or "C unit" - sometimes also referred to as the "B unit", especially in North America). It has surprisingly been found that the process of the present invention not only does not require the use of a second high shear emulsification step but actually benefits from omitting it. Thus, after the first high shear emulsification step, the process of the present invention will not include any further high shear mixing or emulsification steps. In particular, it will preferably not include subjecting the emulsion obtained in first high shear mixer to further emulsification and/or fluidification in a pin stirrer.

The process includes a pre-mixing step, prior to the high shear emulsification step. This pre-mixing step will be performed at low shear using a stirrer tip speed of less than <NUM>/s. Equipment suitable for use in this pre-mixing step will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may include, for example, any standard mixing vessels. On the lab scale, a simple magnetic stirrer can be used. The pre-mixing step will preferably be performed at a temperature which would allow for all the ingredients to become fully molten and to mix together properly. For example, it may be performed at a temperature of <NUM> or more, more preferably at a temperature of <NUM> or more, more preferably at a temperature of <NUM> or more. For instance, it may be performed at about <NUM>. The one or more emulsifiers will preferably be blended with the fat phase before the aqueous phase is added. Similarly, if a structuring agent is being used, it will preferably be added to the aqueous phase before addition of the aqueous phase to the fat phase. Preferably, the pre-mixing step will be performed until a coarse but homogeneous emulsion is obtained. For example, pre-mixing may last from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably for about <NUM>. The pre-mix is then be transferred to the high shear mixer for emulsification, as described above.

The process of the invention further comprises a cooling step. Cooling may be achieved artificially (e.g. in a fridge, a cooling tunnel or a cooling cabinet) or simply by allowing the emulsion to set at room temperature. Preferably, cooling will be performed at a rate which allows proper crystal formation (including, in particular, proper sintering of the fat crystal shell at the interface between the fat phase and the aqueous phase). Preferably, the cooling rate will not exceed <NUM>/min, more preferably it will not exceed <NUM>/min. For example, cooling may advantageously be performed at about <NUM>/min. Cooling will be performed to a target temperature of <NUM>-<NUM>.

Emulsions obtained by the above process are also part of the present disclosure and will preferably be characterized by the aqueous phase being homogeneously dispersed throughout the fat phase in the form of droplets. Advantageously, the droplets will be substantially spherical. They will preferably have a surface weighted average droplet size (calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in the Examples below) of <NUM> or less, more preferably of <NUM> or less, more preferably of <NUM> or less more preferably of <NUM> or less, more preferably of <NUM> or less, more preferably of <NUM> or less. The droplets may have an average size as small as <NUM>, <NUM> or even <NUM>. They may further be defined by a fat-crystal shell at the interface between the aqueous phase and fat phase. Thus it is understood that the emulsification step (b) of the process of the present invention is preferably performed until an emulsion as described here before as part of the disclosure is obtained.

The fat phase of the emulsions of the present disclosure may be characterized by the presence of fat crystals, both at the interface of the fat phase with the aqueous phase and/or dispersed throughout the fat phase itself. Preferably, the fat phase will comprise fat crystals in the V (β<NUM>) polymorphic form. At <NUM>, for instance, the fat phase will preferably comprise more than <NUM>%, more preferably more <NUM>%, more preferably more than <NUM>% fat crystals in the V(β<NUM>) polymorphic form.

The emulsion will preferably comprise up to <NUM>% aqueous phase, preferably <NUM>-<NUM>% aqueous phase, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>% aqueous phase, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>% aqueous phase by weight based on the total weight of the emulsion. Conversely, this means that the fat phase may account for as little as <NUM>% by weight of the emulsion. Preferably, it will comprise <NUM>-<NUM>%, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>%, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>% of the emulsion by weight.

The present disclosure also relates to edible products comprising the above emulsion. Edible products may include both food and beverage compositions. Preferably, the edible product will be a confectionery product. More preferably, it will be a chocolate product.

It has indeed been found that the emulsions of the present disclosure are particularly suited for the production of chocolate products. It was expected that it would be desirable to include two high shear emulsification step in the production of an emulsion for use in the production of chocolate products (with the first step being used to disperse the aqueous phase throughout the fat phase and to initiate the formation of crystal shells around the resulting aqueous droplets; and the second step then being used to break down any big crystals formed in the fat phase to produce a more fluid emulsion). It was thought that this would be critical to enable blending of the emulsion with additional ingredients such a cocoa powder. However, it has surprisingly been found that a less fluid emulsion, i.e. one which is subjected only to a single high shear emulsification step, performs better in the production of chocolate products than ones that undergo the typical two-step emulsification process.

The term "chocolate product" (or "chocolate") as used herein may refer to any type of chocolate mass (milk, dark or white chocolate, or chocolate crumb, for instance), chocolate coating, chocolate filling, soft chocolate chunks, chocolate compound, coating chocolates, chocolate tablets or bars, molded chocolate products, chocolate centers, pralines, chocolate shapes, chocolate chips, chocolate fillings, melting chocolates (e.g. for fondue), chocolate spread and so on, for use in any desirable applications (confectionary, bakery, chilled or frozen desserts such as ice-cream, etc). The term will not necessarily be limited to the strict legal definition of chocolate as defined according to any particular jurisdiction's food law regulations.

Preferably, the chocolate products of the present disclosure will comprise at least <NUM>% aqueous phase by weight, more preferably at least <NUM>% aqueous phase by weight, more preferably at least <NUM>% aqueous phase by weight, more preferably at least <NUM>% aqueous phase by weight. For example, the chocolate products of the present disclosure may comprise <NUM>-<NUM>% aqueous phase by weight, <NUM>-<NUM>% aqueous phase by weight, or <NUM>-<NUM>% aqueous phase by weight. They may also comprise one or more additional ingredients such as flavoring agents (such as vanilla or vanillin), coloring agents, texturizing agents and/or one or more so-called inclusions such as nut products, fruit products and/or cereal products.

The chocolate products of the present disclosure will preferably be easy to mold and demold. That is, they will be sufficient fluid to pour into a mold, and will preferably slightly contract upon cooling such that can easily removed from the mold whilst retaining smooth and glossy in appearance. They will preferably be heat and/or bloom resistant. When subjected to even only relatively warm temperatures (i.e. in hot weather) chocolate products tend to lose their desired character and shape, to become soft, unsatisfactory and sticky to handle and to lose their gloss (due to leaching of their fat constituents and to both the fats and sugars recrystallising at the surface - known as "blooming"). In particular, if wrapped, the chocolate product will adhere to its packaging and its surface will be marred when the wrapper is removed. The chocolate products of the present disclosure will have more stable fat crystals and a higher melting point and will therefore be more resistant to blooming and/or to heat. In particular, they will retain their shape at higher temperatures than an equivalent water-free chocolate product (i.e. a "traditional" chocolate product comprising the same ingredients as the product of the disclosure except that it does not comprise an aqueous phase). The chocolate products of the disclosure will preferably be stable with good shelf-life. In particular, the aqueous phase will not leach out of the product, even after extended storage, and will not be susceptible of microbial growth. The products of the disclosure will preferably have a taste, texture and mouth-feel which is similar to an equivalent water-free chocolate product. They will also preferably have a reduced fat and/or calorie content, by virtue of the fact that at least a certain proportion of the normal fat content has been replaced with an aqueous phase.

Chocolate products of the present disclosure can be produced using standard chocolate manufacturing techniques, substituting the above emulsion for all or part of the normal fat content. The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of a chocolate product, characterized in that it comprises producing a stable water-in-oil emulsion comprising a fat phase and an aqueous phase according to a process as defined in the claims and mixing said emulsion with a chocolate composition.

The term "chocolate composition" as used herein may refer to any composition selected from the group consisting of: cocoa powder, chocolate powder, cocoa liquor, chocolate and mixtures of two or more thereof. The cocoa powder may be of any type (i.e. of any fat content, any origin and treated in any way). Chocolate powder will be understood to be a mixture of cocoa powder (as above), sugar and, optionally, milk solids. It may be used as a simple powder blend, in the form of agglomerates or in any other form. Cocoa liquor will take its normal meaning in the art, being the product of grinding cocoa nibs (whether or not they are treated in any other way). The term "chocolate" may refer to any type of chocolate product as defined above, provided that it is in a form that is miscible with the emulsion. For example, it may be in the form of flakes or shavings that will melt on contact with a warm emulsion. Alternatively, it will be provided in a pre-molten form (e.g. at <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably at about <NUM>). Or it may be in the form of a liquid chocolate product (e.g. produced with high olein fats).

Preferably, when the chocolate composition is in a liquid form (e.g. in the form of a cocoa liquor or molten chocolate), under the mixing conditions - and in particular at the mixing temperature - it will have a similar viscosity to the emulsion. Preferably, it will have a viscosity Vc which is from <NUM>/3Ve to 3Ve (where Ve = viscosity of the emulsion). More preferably, it will have a viscosity Vc which is from <NUM>/2Ve to 2Ve. More preferably, it will have a viscosity Vc which is from <NUM>/<NUM>. 5Ve to <NUM>. More preferably, it will have a viscosity Vc which is approximately equal to Ve.

Preferably, the emulsion and the chocolate composition will be mixed in a weight ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. They will preferably be mixed at low shear, e.g. at a stirrer tip speed of less than <NUM>/s, more preferably at a stirrer tip speed of <NUM>/s or less. Preferably, the emulsion and chocolate composition will be mixed at a temperature in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>. To achieve these temperatures, the mixing vessel may be heated and/or the process may include an initial heating step wherein the emulsion and/or chocolate composition are pre-heated to the target temperature.

Advantageously, further ingredients may also be incorporated into the chocolate product of the disclosure. They may be pre-mixed with the emulsion or the chocolate composition prior to mixing of these two components. Alternatively, they may be added during mixing of the emulsion and chocolate composition. Alternatively, they may be incorporated after the emulsion and chocolate composition have been fully mixed.

An example of such a further ingredient includes crystal seeds. These may be pre-mixed with either the emulsion or chocolate composition or they may be added during mixing of the emulsion and chocolate composition. They will advantageously be selected from the group consisting of crystals in the type V polymorphic form, crystals in the type VI polymorphic form and mixtures thereof (e.g. Mycryo cocoa butter, Barry Callebaut, Lebeke-Wieze, Belgium).

Other optional ingredients may include, but are not limited to, additional sweeteners (either natural or artificial), additional milk solids, additional emulsifiers, and any of the flavoring agents, coloring agents, texturizing agents, nutraceuticals and/or inclusions as described above.

The process of the present invention may also include one or more tempering steps. Tempering is a process which is well known in the art and which uses temperature cycling (heat decreases and increases) to ensure optimum crystal formation. Advantageously however, tempering can be avoided as the emulsions will already comprise the necessary crystal seeds to develop a desirable texture and mouth-feel.

The process may further comprise a cooling step, during which the chocolate product will preferably solidify. This can be achieved by artificial cooling (e.g. in a fridge, a cooling tunnel or a cooling cabinet) or by simply allowing the product to set at room temperature. Preferably, cooling will be performed at a rate which allows proper crystal formation, as for the emulsions above. Preferably, the cooling rate will not exceed <NUM>/min, more preferably it will not exceed <NUM>/min. For example, cooling may advantageously be performed at about <NUM>/min. Cooling will be continued until a target temperature of <NUM>-<NUM> is reached.

The products of the present disclosure (or obtained by the method of the present invention) may include, as noted above, chocolate mass (milk, dark or white), chocolate coating, chocolate filling, soft chocolate chunks, chocolate spreads and so on. They may be used, just like any other chocolate products, in any number of applications. They may, for instance, be shaped or moulded (e.g. for producing chocolate bars, chocolate tablets or moulded chocolate shapes). They may be packaged and used as such (e.g. as a chocolate paste, spread or dipping). Alternatively, they may be included as a component of another product. For instance, they may be used in confectionary products (e.g. as a coating or shell or as a filling or ganache for pralines, truffles and the like), in bakery products (e.g. as chocolate chunks, flakes or drops for biscuits, cookies or cakes), or in chilled or frozen desserts (e.g. as coatings or as inclusions for ice-cream).

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be further described with reference to the following, non-limiting examples. Any examples falling outside the scope of the claims are provided for comparative purposes only.

Cocoa butter and PGPR (both from Cargill, Incorporated) were used without any further purification. The aqueous phase was prepared by dissolving analytical grade sodium chloride (Fisher Scientific, UK) in double distilled water to a final concentration of <NUM>.

All the dispersions were produced according to two formulations, differing in the aqueous phase volume fraction (<NUM>% wt and <NUM>% wt) and containing the same amount of PGPR (<NUM>% wt overall).

For each sample, <NUM> of pre-mix were prepared. Using a hotplate stirrer (Stuart, UK), cocoa butter was firstly heated for two hours at about <NUM> (± <NUM>). Weighted amounts of molten cocoa butter were added to PGPR in an <NUM> beaker. To ensure homogeneous distribution of the emulsifier in the whole volume, the mixture was stirred using a magnetic stirrer on a hotplate (Stuart, UK), while the temperature was slowly decreased to approximately <NUM> (± <NUM>). Then, the aqueous phase, heated approximately the same temperature as the lipid phase, was added. The blending was carried out for about ten minutes using an overhead "lab egg" stirrer (IKA® RW <NUM>, Sigma-Aldrich, UK) and a magnetic stir bar until the coarse emulsion appeared to be creamy and homogeneous (judged by eye). During the premixing stage and emulsification, the evaporation of water from the feeding vessel was avoided by covering it with aluminium foil.

Water-in-cocoa butter emulsions were produced using a bench scale margarine line (technical specifications can be found in Norton et al. (<NUM>; <NUM>)). This device is a continuous emulsification apparatus consisting of two stainless steel mixers in series: a scraped surface heat exchanger (SSHE, but commonly called an "A unit") followed by a pin stirrer (PS, also known as a "C unit").

The pre-emulsion was pumped through the margarine line using a peristaltic pump (Masterflex L/S Digital Pump System with Easy-Load II Pump Head, Cole-Parmer, UK) through one meter long silicon pipeline (inner diameter of <NUM>; SLS, UK). The same pipes were used to connect each unit to a water bath (Julabo, UK) providing a constant countercurrent jacket flow. The jacketing temperature was set at <NUM> and <NUM>, for the SSHE and the PS, respectively. T-junctions, attached at the inlet and outlet of both the units, were used to monitor the temperature, using a Data Logger Thermometer (omega, UK) fitted with K-type thermocouple (±<NUM>% accuracy). The SSHE inlet temperature was kept at <NUM> (± <NUM>), i.e., very close to the starting crystallising point of cocoa butter. The SSHE and PS outlet temperatures were <NUM> (± <NUM>) and <NUM> (± <NUM>), respectively, while the temperature at the SSHE outlet and PS inlet was the same.

For both units, four levels of rotor speed were chosen. In Table <NUM> the rotor speed and the corresponding tip speed provided by each mixer is referred. Twelve shearing combinations were investigated in details.

The flow rate was set at <NUM>/s (although the effect of a <NUM>/s flow rate was also studied), having an average residence time of <NUM> and <NUM> for the SSHE and PS, respectively. The final emulsions were collected in <NUM> sample pots and cooled using a rate of <NUM>/min before being analysed. Samples for thermal analysis were collected and the impact of two additional post-emulsification cooling rates (<NUM>/min, <NUM>/min) was also investigated.

For all of the samples, droplet size analysis was performed with a pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR (Minispec, Bruker Optics, UK), operating at <NUM> T (<NUM> for H1) with a water droplets size application. This method of measuring droplet size has been reviewed and is thought to be suitable for emulsions characterisation (Johns, <NUM>, van Duynhoven et al. The algorithm of this application assumes that droplet size distribution follows a log-normal distribution and that droplets are all spherical in shape. However, the water structured into inclusions exceeding a d3,<NUM> value of <NUM>, is generally classified as "free water", and thus excluded from the calculations and expressed as a proportion.

A metal plunger with an inner diameter of <NUM> was used to obtain cylindrical shaped samples of approximately <NUM> in height. These were then transferred into a <NUM> NMR tubes and inserted into the probe head of the device at <NUM>. The surface weighted average droplet size (d3,<NUM>) was calculated using the equation provided by van Duyhoven et al. (<NUM>): <MAT> For each sample the d3,<NUM> and "free water" values are the mean of at least three repetitions.

Results showed high dependence of droplets Sauter mean diameter (d3,<NUM>) on the shear profile applied in the SSHE. In <FIG>, the values of droplets size are plotted as a function of the SSHE rotation speed for emulsions containing <NUM>% and <NUM>% aqueous phase, respectively. When the PS is at its minimum speed, the aqueous phase droplets size decrease as the SSHE rotation rate increases, with the d3,<NUM> values decreasing from <NUM> to <NUM> (<FIG>), or from <NUM> to <NUM> (see <FIG>). However, when the PS is rotating at its highest speed, an increase in the SSHE rotor rate results in a small decrease in droplet size. Nevertheless, emulsions containing <NUM>% aqueous phase made when the SSHE is at its top speed have the smallest average diameter regardless of the PS. A similar trend is observed for emulsions containing <NUM>% dispersed phase. Therefore, it seems that it is the SSHE that plays the major role in determining final droplet size.

To complete the picture regarding the role played by each mixer on emulsification, emulsions were produced using the SSHE on its own, using the same formulations and shearing conditions as described above. <FIG> shows the average droplets size as a function of NSSHE (= speed of rotation (per minute) in SSHE).

To quantify the effect of each mixer on the final d3,<NUM> value, the change in droplet size as a function of processing was calculated by using equation <NUM>: <MAT>.

Where d3,2SSHE&PS and d3,2SSHE are the average d3,<NUM> value of emulsions produced using the whole margarine line and SSHE only, respectively. Table <NUM> shows the change in droplet size for emulsions containing <NUM> and <NUM>% aqueous phase produced using the four NSSHE levels in combination with a PS rotating either at <NUM> or <NUM> rpm.

When the PS is at its minimum rate, the shear provided by this mixer mostly produces a positive and significant (≥ +<NUM>%) change in size meaning that a considerable increase of the average droplets diameter occurs. On the other side, when the NPS was set at <NUM> rpm, the factor of size reduction was highly negative for values of NSSHE below <NUM> rpm while the trend changed for NSSHE over <NUM> rpm.

The results seem to suggest that an independent emulsifying process may occur for each mixer, and that the overall impact on the final droplets size depends upon the rate at which the stirrers are reciprocally rotating. When low shear is applied in the SSHE, the droplets produced are large enough to be either easily coalesced or further broken in the PS. However, when the SSHE is rotating at a rate higher that <NUM> rpm, a process based on only this mixer produces the emulsions with the smallest average diameter. Therefore, under these conditions, the PS does not help in reducing the final average droplets size.

The effect of residence time was considered by increasing the flow rate to <NUM>/min. The measured values of residence time for the SSHE and PS were <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Table <NUM> refers the combinations of shearing tested and the corresponding values of d3,<NUM> for a formulation containing <NUM>% aqueous phase. For those emulsions produced using both the mixers, no difference in average droplets size was observed. When the SSHE only was used and rotating at its top rotor speed, an increase in the d3,<NUM> value was observed for the shorter residence time. This seems to confirm that the PS reduces the average droplets size when an emulsion with large droplets is produced in the SSHE.

The post-emulsification cooling rate was thought to play an important role in determining the final average droplet size. In fact, a fast cooling of the emulsions may not allow proper sintering of the fat crystal shell at the interface, thus damaging the droplets. The effect of three different cooling rates, <NUM>/min (used as reference for all of the experiments), <NUM>/min, and <NUM>/min was considered. No difference in droplet size was observed (Table <NUM>). Differences may be observed when using faster cooling, such as using liquid nitrogen (although not studied here).

DSC thermographs were used to assess the effect of the process on the continuous phase. Due to the peak overlapping, the temperatures at the maxima of the endotherms were used as the peak temperature (Loisel et al.

Results showed that the melting profile of the emulsions was directly influenced by the shearing conditions. Table <NUM> refers the shear profile used to produce the emulsions in relation to the number of peaks and their values in temperature (with the corresponding polymorphic forms). The values observed matched with data in literature for cocoa butter (Wille and Lutton, <NUM>), although constantly higher in agreement with Loisel et al. All of the samples showed the presence of a peak corresponding to the V form, even if in some thermographs it was only a small bump. The emulsions made using the whole margarine line had a more complex profile, which reflected the effect of the shear provided by the two units. <FIG> shows the endotherms of emulsions containing <NUM>% aqueous phase produced using only the SSHE. An increase in the NSSHE produced a shift toward the more stable polymorph, until a single sharp peak was obtained. Therefore, we could conclude that when the SSHE is providing high shear, it can be used as a continuous tempering-emulsifying device. All the emulsions, independently from the storing conditions, showed a single peak at <NUM> after <NUM> hours. These data were unsurprising as transitions toward the most stable polymorphic form are thermodynamically favourable and become faster in the presence of crystals in the V form. Within one month of observation, no transition to the VI form was observed.

Claim 1:
A process for the production of a stable water-in-oil emulsion comprising a fat phase and an aqueous phase, wherein the process comprises:
a) a pre-mixing step, wherein the aqueous phase and the fat phase are blended under low shear using a stirrer tip speed of less than <NUM>/s;
b) a single high shear emulsification step wherein the aqueous phase and the fat phase are mixed using a stirrer tip speed of at least <NUM>/s in a scraped surface heat exchanger for up to <NUM> seconds, wherein the outlet temperature of the emulsion is <NUM>-<NUM>; and
c) a cooling step to cool the emulsion to a temperature of <NUM>-<NUM>,
wherein the fat phase consists essentially of cocoa butter and one or more emulsifiers and wherein the emulsion obtained in step b) is not subsequently subjected to any further high shear mixing using a stirrer tip speed of at least <NUM>/s.