Patent Description:
Traditionally, whipped cream is made by whipping the milk fat fraction (cream) separated from whole milk. Conventional whipping cream contains around <NUM> - <NUM> wt. % milk fat.

When whipped, the relatively high fat level in the cream provides for good stability of the whipped cream, nice sharp edges of the cream blob (also sometimes referred to as cream dollop) and a full, creamy mouthfeel.

However, health concerns at consumers about the relatively high fat in the cream and relatively high caloric value urged the dairy industry to develop lower fat cream types, e.g. as low as <NUM> - <NUM> wt.

This, however, appeared to be challenging since lowering the fat content of the cream compromised the stability of the whipped cream, and furthermore had a deleterious effect on mouthfeel. To compensate for these technical and sensory defects of reduced fat creams, gelatin (or an alternative thereof) may be added in relatively high amounts.

Spray cream from aerosol spray cans have a lower caloric value per volume than whipped cream, due to - typically - a higher overrun, usually of about <NUM>% or more. However, not only is the firmness and form retention of known spray creams generally not as good as for whipped cream, also the need for propellant gases, such as nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide, is a disadvantage, as these are greenhouse gases.

The need exists therefor to provide a low fat whipping cream that is stable for a prolonged time after whipping, and still exhibits a full and creamy mouthfeel when consumed and of which the cream dollop has an attractive appearance, at least on par with full fat whipped cream. Furthermore, there should not be a need to use any greenhouse gas as propellant.

<CIT> discloses a low fat (<NUM>-<NUM> wt%) dairy cream comprising <NUM>-<NUM> wt% of a mono- and/or diglyceride containing at least one unsaturated fatty acid group and, preferably, an acetyl or lactyl group. This cream could be whipped to an overrun of <NUM>%.

<CIT> discloses a low fat (up to <NUM>%) whipping cream. The majority of fat is non-dairy lauric fat, while only a few percent of the fat originates from dairy cream. The whipping cream further comprises an emulsifier mix containing lactic acid ester, monoglycerides, diglycerides, sorbitan monostearate, and sodium stearyl lactylate.

<CIT> discloses a milk product that can be foamed by simple hand shaking, said product containing <NUM>-<NUM>% fat and three emulsifiers (polyglycerolmonostearate, sorbitantristearate, and unsaturated monoglyceride), and a foam stabilizer.

It has now been found that the technical and sensory properties of a low fat whippable cream could be improved significantly by incorporating in the low fat cream a certain mixture of emulsifiers. With the product of the invention, high overrun can be achieved without using a greenhouse gas as propellant. Furthermore, as no propellant is present, packaging can be reduced as well, which is desirable from a sustainability point of view as well.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention relates to a whippable liquid dairy cream composition containing <NUM> - <NUM> wt. % milk fat, said composition comprising:.

wherein the first, second, third and fourth emulsifier differ from each other, with weight percentages being based on total weight of the whippable liquid dairy cream composition.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of preparing a whippable liquid dairy cream composition, the method comprising:.

with the weight percentages being based on the total weight of said whippable liquid dairy cream composition.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of preparing a whipped cream composition comprising the step of whipping said whippable liquid dairy cream, preferably to an overrun of <NUM> - <NUM> %.

It has been found that when the low fat whippable liquid dairy cream composition according to the invention contains a low amount of specific emulsifiers, a good stability of the cream blob could be obtained. Furthermore the cream blob had a good firmness and high overrun, and has also a very good and creamy mouthfeel, resembling that of full fat whipped cream.

These emulsifiers are characterized by their degree of unsaturation or saturation of their fatty acid chains, and in other cases by their ester derivatives.

The degree of unsaturation is defined by the so-called iodine value, which is well known in the art. The iodine value (IV) can be determined according to a gas chromatographic analysis as described in AOAC Cd 1c-<NUM>; ISO <NUM>:<NUM>.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a whippable liquid dairy cream composition containing <NUM> - <NUM> wt. % milk fat, said composition comprising:.

Dairy cream is a term known in the art and relates to the liquid fat fraction separated from whole milk of mammals, preferably bovines, most preferably cows. Separation of the fat from the milk may be done with for example a centrifuge.

The first emulsifier present in the whippable liquid dairy composition in accordance with the invention is an emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of less than <NUM>. Typically, said emulsifier is a mixture of monoglycerides of fatty acids and diglycerides of fatty acids. It is preferred that the first emulsifier has an iodine value of less than <NUM>, more preferably less than <NUM>, even more preferably less than <NUM>, most preferably less than <NUM>. Preferably, the first emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of less than <NUM> comprise C16:<NUM> and C18:<NUM> fatty acid chains together in an amount of preferably more than <NUM> wt. % monoglycerides of fatty acids based on the total weight of the fatty acids chains.

The second emulsifier present in the whippable liquid dairy composition in accordance with the invention is an emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of <NUM> - <NUM>. Typically, this second emulsifier is a mixture of monoglycerides of fatty acids and diglycerides of fatty acids. The second emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids preferably has an iodine value of <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, most preferably <NUM> - <NUM>. Preferably, the second emulsifier comprises <NUM> wt. % or more monoglycerides of fatty acids, based on total weight of the mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids.

The third emulsifier present in the whippable liquid dairy composition in accordance with the invention is an emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of <NUM> - <NUM>. Typically, this third emulsifier is a mixture of monoglycerides of fatty acids and diglycerides of fatty acids. The third emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids preferably has an iodine value of <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, most preferably <NUM> - <NUM>. Preferably, the third emulsifier comprises <NUM> wt. % or more of monoglycerides of fatty acids, based on total weight of the mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids.

It was found that the wt. ratio between second emulsifier and third emulsifier had a particular positive effect on the properties of the whipped cream in terms of overrun, stability and mouthfeel. Hence, preferably, the wt. ratio between the second emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of <NUM> - <NUM> and the third emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of <NUM> - <NUM> in the whippable liquid dairy is <NUM> : <NUM> - <NUM> : <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> : <NUM> - <NUM> : <NUM>, even more preferably between <NUM> : <NUM> - <NUM> : <NUM>, most preferably <NUM> : <NUM> - <NUM> : <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the whippable liquid dairy composition comprises the second emulsifier comprising mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of <NUM> - <NUM> and the third emulsifier comprising mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of <NUM> - <NUM>, wherein preferably the second and/or the third emulsifier each comprise at least <NUM> wt. % monoglycerides of fatty acids, based on total weight of the mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids.

The fourth emulsifier present in the whippable liquid dairy composition in accordance with the invention is an emulsifier selected from the group of lactic acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids, acetic acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids, and mixtures thereof. Typically, this emulsifier is a mixture of lactic acid esters of monoglycerides of fatty acids and lactic acid esters of diglycerides of fatty acids; or a mixture of acetic acid esters of monoglycerides of fatty acids and acetic acid esters of diglycerides of fatty acids; or a combination of these two mixtures. Preferably, the fourth emulsifier is a lactic acid ester of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids. It is further preferred that if the fourth emulsifier is a lactic acid ester of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids, it comprises fatty acid chains wherein at least <NUM> wt. %, more preferably at least <NUM> wt. %, of these fatty acid chains is saturated, based on total weight of the fatty acid chains of the lactic acid ester of mono- and diglycerides. It is further preferred that if the fourth emulsifier is a lactic acid ester of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids, its iodine value is lower than <NUM>.

It is noted that the first, second, third, and fourth emulsifier in the whippable liquid dairy cream composition differ from each other.

It is furthermore preferred that the first, second and third emulsifier do not comprise a lactic acid ester of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids, an acetic acid ester of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids, and mixtures thereof.

It was furthermore found that the presence of certain other emulsifiers negatively affected the performance of the low fat whippable liquid dairy cream composition. The firmness of the whipped cream composition was insufficient, and the mouthfeel was characterized as too soft, fluffy, too quickly melting away in the mouth. This was particularly noticeable if a CITREM ester (citric acid ester of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids) was used. Accordingly, preferably, the whippable liquid dairy cream composition according to the invention is devoid of citric acid ester of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids. More preferably, the whippable liquid dairy cream composition is devoid of saturated CITREM and/or unsaturated CITREM.

Good results have been obtained with milk fat amounts around <NUM> wt. % in the whippable liquid cream composition. Accordingly, the whippable liquid dairy cream composition preferably comprises <NUM> - <NUM> wt. % milk fat, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. % milk fat, with the weight percentages being based on the total weight of the whippable liquid cream composition.

To optimize the taste of the whippable liquid dairy cream composition of the invention, sugars may be included. Accordingly, the whippable liquid dairy cream composition according to the invention preferably comprises at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of sucrose, lactose, glucose, fructose, and mixtures thereof. The at last one sugar is preferably present in the whippable cream composition in an amount of <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM> -<NUM> wt. %, most preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, based on the total weight of the whippable liquid dairy cream composition.

Although less preferred, it is possible to replace the at least one sugar with at least one artificial sweetener, in which case said artificial sweetener is preferably selected from the group consisting of acesulfame potassium, advantame, aspartame, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, luo han guo, stevia, and mixtures thereof.

The whippable liquid dairy cream composition may further comprise at least one protein. It is therefore preferred that the whippable liquid dairy cream composition according to the invention comprises milk protein. The milk protein is preferably present in an amount of <NUM> - <NUM>. %, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, based on the total weight of the whippable liquid dairy cream composition.

Furthermore, the whippable liquid cream composition according to the invention may comprise a stabilizer, such as a stabilizing polysaccharide. Particularly suitable is a stabilizing gum. Typically, a stabilizer is used if creaming up during storage is to be kept to a minimum or even prevented. Hence, in one embodiment the whippable liquid dairy cream composition according to the invention comprises a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, alginate, and mixtures thereof. If present, the stabilizer content preferably lies in the range of <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, most preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, based on the total weight of the whippable liquid dairy cream composition. The skilled person will be able to determine a particularly suitable concentration dependent on the specific stabilizer used, on the basis of common general knowledge and the information provided herein. The preferred stabilizer is carrageenan. Preferably, carrageenan is present in an amount of <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, based on the total weight of the whippable liquid dairy cream composition.

The whippable liquid dairy cream composition preferably has a solids content of between <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, most preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt.

The whippable liquid dairy cream composition comprises <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, most preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. % water, milk or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the whippable liquid dairy composition comprises milk, more preferably skim milk. Preferably, the amounts of milk, preferably skim milk, are the same as said above for the water, milk or mixtures thereof.

To optimize the taste of the whippable liquid dairy cream composition of the invention, sugars may be included in the mixture of step (i). In that case preferably at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of sucrose, lactose, glucose, fructose, and mixtures thereof, is included in the mixture of step (i). The at last one sugar is in that case preferably present in in amount between <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM> -<NUM> wt. %, most preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt.

The whippable liquid dairy cream composition according to the invention may also comprise a stabilizer, in which case the stabilizer is preferably selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, alginate, and mixtures thereof. Hence, the mixture of step (i) may further include a stabilizer. In that case, the stabilizer is preferably present in an amount of <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. %, most preferably <NUM> - <NUM> wt. The preferred stabilizer is carrageenan. Preferably, carrageenan is present in an amount of <NUM> - <NUM> wt.

The skilled person will be able to prepare the mixture of step (i) using the conventional techniques known in the art. as the skilled person will know, it may be preferred to melt emulsifier(s) first, before mixing. In a preferred embodiment step (i) of the method comprises the following steps:.

If milk is used as component (f), the milk is preferably skim milk.

Homogenization step iii. can be carried out using conventional equipment and conditions. Preferably, the homogenization step iii. is carried out as a two-step homogenization, wherein preferably the first step is carried out at a pressure between <NUM> - <NUM> bar, and the second step preferably at a pressure of <NUM> - <NUM> bar, preferably at a temperature of <NUM> - <NUM>.

A UHT (ultra high temperature) process is heating technique known in the art and the skilled person is familiar how to execute it. The UHT process is preferably carried out at a temperature of <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>. Preferably , the heating process is carried out for <NUM> - <NUM> seconds, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> seconds, most preferably <NUM> - <NUM> seconds.

The UHT process is preferably a direct heating process. The direct heating process is preferably a steam injection process, or a steam infusion process. The skilled person is familiar with these kind of direct heating processes.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of preparing a whipped cream composition comprising whipping the whippable liquid dairy composition, preferably to an overrun of <NUM> - <NUM> %, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> %, most preferably <NUM> - <NUM> %.

The term "overrun" is defined by means of the following formula, denoted as formula A: <MAT>.

More information on how to determine overrun is set out in detail below in the experimental section.

Preferably, whipping can be done with any suitable whipping machine known in the art, for example with an industrial whipping machine equipped with a rotor/stator whipper or with a static mixer. Examples of such machines are e.g. Sanomat® or Mussana® or Taylor whipped cream dispenser.

In an embodiment, whipping may be done manually with a whisk or with a household mixer.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the whipping can be done using a cross-flow membrane machine. Such a most preferred machine is disclosed in <CIT>.

The present invention is further exemplified by the following, non-limiting Examples:.

The overrun is the volume increase in terms of volume of whipped or foamed composition (cream) vis-a-vis liquid composition (cream). The overrun is determined by the relation between the density of the liquid and the density of the whipped/foamed composition. To measure the overrun, a recipient (cup) of <NUM> is filled with whipped/foamed composition. The composition is levelled with the upper rim of the recipient and the weight of the contents of the recipient is determined. A larger quantity of air in the whipped/foamed composition will lead to a lower density and thus a lower weight.

The firmness is measured using a Texture Analyser (Stable Micro Systems TA-XT Plus). This device inserts a cylinder (Perspex, <NUM> diameter and <NUM> height) with a constant speed (<NUM>/s) and distance (<NUM>) into the product (whipped/foamed composition). The maximal force the machine must use to penetrate into the product measures the firmness of the product. The firmness of the whipped or foamed product is expressed in grams. The higher the value, the firmer the whipped or foamed product.

Form retention is the firmness of the whipped or foamed composition which is measured after a certain time at a certain temperature. In the examples, unless specified otherwise the form retention was determined after <NUM> minutes at <NUM>. Form retention may also be expressed as a percentage of remaining firmness compared to the firmness directly after whipping or foaming.

Taste panel judgement criteria for the visual and sensory parameters of whipped creams are as follows:.

<NUM> emulsifier <NUM> (Dimodan® R-T ex DuPont Danisco/IFF, a mono-/diglyceride (E471) with an iodine value of approximately <NUM> and a total amount of monoglyceride of min <NUM>%), <NUM> emulsifier <NUM> (Dimodan® UJ ex DuPont Danisco, a mono-/diglyceride (E471) with an iodine value of <NUM>, consisting of <NUM>% monoglycerides) and <NUM> emulsifier <NUM> (Admul™ GLP <NUM> ex Kerry (E472b), a lactic acid ester of mono-/diglycerides of fatty acids (Lactem)) were melted until liquid in an au bain-marie. Emulsifier <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> were dispersed in <NUM> cold (<NUM>) skim milk under fierce stirring with a silverson mixer. Thereafter, <NUM> of sucrose, <NUM> of carrageenan and <NUM> emulsifier <NUM> Myverol <NUM>-<NUM>, ex Kerry (a mono-/diglyceride (E471) with an iodine value of <NUM>) were added and mixed in the skim milk with emulsifiers <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

The resulting milk mixture was then carefully mixed with <NUM> cold (<NUM>) cream (<NUM>% fat) to form <NUM> of a pre-emulsion.

Subsequently, this milk/cream mixture was UHT treated using direct steam injection (<NUM>/<NUM> sec). after which the UHT treated cream/milk composition was homogenized at (<NUM> <NUM>/<NUM> bars) in a two-stage homogenizer. The resultant emulsion was then cooled directly to <NUM> and filled into a container.

The cream composition of Example <NUM> was subsequently whipped with either a whipping machine as disclosed in <CIT> or a Taylor whipping machine. The resulting blobs were evaluated for their overrun, firmness (direct and after <NUM> hour), texture, angle of the edges, and shine, measured and rated as indicated above. The results are summarized in Tables <NUM> and <NUM> below.

With reference to Example <NUM>, several foamable/whippable low fat cream (<NUM>% wt. fat) compositions were made as follows: emulsifiers were melted, next emulsifiers, stabilizers and sugar were mixed in skim milk, while mixing with a Silverson mixer and thereafter the resultant mixture was poured in the dairy cream. The cream mixtures were sterilized (<NUM>, <NUM> sec) and subsequently homogenized at <NUM>/<NUM> bars (<NUM> stages), followed by cooling to <NUM>. The exact compositions of these samples are summarized in Table <NUM>.

The following citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides were tested: an unsaturated Grinsted Citrem LR <NUM> from Dupont, having an acid value of <NUM>-<NUM>, a saponification value of <NUM>-<NUM> and a iodine value of about <NUM> (E472c) and a saturated Radiamuls <NUM>, obtained from Oleon, having an acid value of <NUM>-<NUM>, a saponification value of <NUM>-<NUM> and a iodine value of <NUM> or lower.

The cream compositions of especially Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>, showed when whipped with either a whipping machine as disclosed in <CIT> or a Taylor whipping machine a much lower overrun as compared to the composition of Example <NUM>. Furthermore, the firmness 'direct' was below a minimum acceptable required firmness of <NUM> for both whipping methods, as shown in Tables <NUM> and <NUM>. The blobs of Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> had a fluffy and too soft mouthfeel. The cream composition of Comparative Example <NUM> had a slightly higher overrun, more in the direction of Example <NUM>, but still lacking firmness which is noticeable in too little body, melting away quite rapidly in the mouth. Blobs of whipped cream of Examples <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM> were considered as glossy and less sharp (see Tables <NUM> and <NUM>).

Compositions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> were made in exactly the same manner as described in Example <NUM> albeit with the compositions as shown in Table <NUM>. Composition <NUM> was also prepared in the same manner, but was homogenized at <NUM>/<NUM> bars at <NUM> instead of <NUM>/<NUM> bars as were the other samples.

Cream examples <NUM> till <NUM>, all compositions according to the invention, when whipped, resulted in very high overrun combined with excellent texture and visual appearance. Cream blobs gave a very dry and sharp texture and nice full creamy mouthfeel as if it was a high fat whipped cream.

Example <NUM>, although it has the lowest amount of fat, remained comparable or even outperforms on overrun, firmness (direct and after <NUM> hour), and visual appearance compared to Comparative Examples <NUM> till <NUM>. It gave an extremely good mouthfeel for such a low fat cream with that high overrun.

These examples, lacking two or more of the required emulsifiers according to the invention, are prepared in the same manner as described in detail in Example <NUM>.

Both compositions were found to be whippable but led to unacceptable results especially in direct firmness. Therefore, the firmness was no longer measured after <NUM> hour. Visual texture was also very poor.

Claim 1:
A whippable liquid dairy cream composition containing <NUM> - <NUM> wt.% milk fat, said composition comprising:
a. <NUM> - <NUM> wt% dairy cream, which dairy cream preferably has a milk fat content between <NUM> - <NUM> wt. % by weight of the dairy cream;
b. <NUM> - <NUM> wt.% of a first emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of less than <NUM>;
c. <NUM> - <NUM> wt.% of a second emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of <NUM> - <NUM>;
d. <NUM> - <NUM> wt.% of a third emulsifier comprising mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids having an iodine value of <NUM> - <NUM>;
e. <NUM> -<NUM> wt.% of a fourth emulsifier selected from the group of lactic acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids, acetic acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids, and mixtures thereof;
f. <NUM> - <NUM> wt.% water, milk or mixtures thereof;
and wherein the first, second, third and fourth emulsifier differ from each other,
with weight percentages being based on total weight of the whippable liquid dairy cream composition.