Patent Description:
Bouillon powder is a well-known product that is commonly used for making food products like bouillons, soups and gravies. Salt and monosodium glutamate are conventionally applied in these bouillon powders to impart a savoury taste.

However, from a nutritional perspective it is desirable to reduce the amount of salt in bouillon powders. Furthermore, many consumers have concerns about the use of monosodium glutamate as a food additive.

<CIT> describes a process for the production of a bouillon powder comprising the steps of:.

<CIT> describes a salty taste enhancing composition, comprising glucan and mannan, wherein the composition ratio (weight ratio) of glucan:mannan is <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

<CIT> describes a low sodium salt substitute composition comprising: <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of sodium acid sulfate; <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of one or more umami ingredients; <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of potassium chloride; and <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of a filler.

<CIT> describes a composition comprising (a) a seasoning mixture comprising a flavoring agent and (b) a salt substitute, wherein said salt substitute comprises potassium chloride, taurine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, and a <NUM>'-nucleotide monophosphate, comprising <NUM>'-adenosinic acid (AMP) or <NUM>'-inosinic acid (IMP) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.

<CIT> describes a process for manufacturing a dry pre-cooked soup mix. Example I describes a creamed potato soup mix having a low salt content.

The objective of the current invention is to provide a particulate composition that can be used for making good tasting bouillons, soups and gravies and that is free from added kitchen salt.

The inventors have discovered that bouillon powders that are capable of providing a desirable salty taste contribution, despite the fact that they do not contain added salt, can be prepared by incorporating a special blend of edible plant materials. Accordingly, the present invention provides particulate bouillon composition comprising:.

Besides this blend of edible plant materials, the bouillon powder composition of the present inventions contains thickener, filler and flavouring.

The invention also provides a process of preparing a particulate bouillon composition, said process comprising combining the above mentioned edible plant materials with thickener, filler and flavouring.

The invention also relates to the use of the aforementioned particulate bouillon composition in the preparation of food, said use comprising mixing the particulate bouillon composition with water.

A fist aspect of the invention relates to a particulate bouillon composition comprising:.

All percentages herein are provided as weight percent, unless indicated otherwise.

The edible plant materials (a) to (e) of the particulate bouillon composition are obtained from plants or plant parts and may have undergone size reduction (including e.g. pureeing) and/or drying. Also fractions of plant materials obtained by pressing (pulp or juice) may be applied as edible plant materials, optionally after drying.

The particulate bouillon composition of the present invention preferably contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of Allium selected from onion, shallot, garlic, leek and combinations thereof.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the particulate bouillon composition contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM> -<NUM> wt. % of Allium selected from onion, shallot and combinations thereof.

Garlic is preferably contained in the particulate bouillon composition in a concentration of <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM> wt.

Vegetables selected from carrot, tomato, red bell pepper, parsnip and combinations thereof are preferably constitute <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of the particulate bouillon composition.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the particulate bouillon composition contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of tomato, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of tomato.

Herbs selected from parsley, fenugreek, rosemary, bay leaves and combinations thereof are preferably present in the particulate bouillon composition in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM> wt.

Preferably, the particulate bouillon composition contains two or more of the aforementioned herbs. More preferably, the composition contains at least three herbs selected from parsley, fenugreek, rosemary and bay leaves.

The particulate bouillon composition preferably contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of herbal roots selected from celeriac, lovage root, root parsley and combinations thereof;.

Preferably, the particulate bouillon composition contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of lovage root, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % lovage root.

Root parsley is preferably contained in the particulate bouillon composition in a concentration of <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably in a concentration of <NUM>-<NUM> wt.

The particulate bouillon composition preferably contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of spices selected turmeric, pepper, nutmeg, clove, celery seed and combinations thereof;.

Celery seed is preferably contained in the particulate bouillon composition in a concentration of <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM> wt.

According to a preferred embodiment, the particulate bouillon composition contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % oil, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of oil and most preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. The term oil as used herein encompasses both oils that are liquid at room temperature and oils that are solid or semi-solid at room temperature.

The thickener that is employed in the particulate bouillon composition is preferably selected from native starch, pregelatinised starch, pectin, agar, galactomannans (e,g, fenugreek gum, guar gum, locust bean gum or tara gum), xanthan gum, cellulose gums (including carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, and methylcellulose), gum Arabic, gellan gum, alginates, alginic acid, arabinoxylans, curdlan gum, cassia gum, konjac gum, carrageenans, gelatins and combinations thereof. More preferably, the thickener is selected from native starch, fenugreek gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, and tara gum, gum Arabic, gellan gum, curdlan gum, cassia gum, konjac gum and combinations thereof.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the thickener comprises native starch. Native starch is preferably contained in the particulate bouillon composition in a concentration of <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably in a concentration of <NUM>-<NUM> wt.

The filler that contained in the particulate bouillon composition is preferably selected from maltodextrin, dry glucose syrup, sucrose, inulin and combinations thereof. More preferably, the filler is selected from maltodextrin, dry glucose syrup and combinations thereof. The maltodextrin employed preferably has a DE (dextrose equivalent) in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM>. The dry glucose syrup employed preferably has a DE of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In another preferred embodiment, the particulate bouillon composition contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of expanded starch particles. The inventors have found that the inclusion of expanded starch particles improves the flowability of the particulate bouillon composition, especially after storage.

According to one particularly preferred embodiment, the particulate bouillon composition is a vegetable bouillon, comprising:.

wherein the combination of these components (a), (b) and (d) constitutes <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %, preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of the composition.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment, the particulate bouillon composition is a chicken bouillon, comprising:.

According to yet another particularly preferred embodiment, the particulate bouillon composition is a beef bouillon, comprising:.

The particulate bouillon composition of the present invention preferably does not contain particles of sodium chloride.

The particulate composition preferably also does not contain particles of potassium chloride.

The particulate bouillon composition offers the advantage that it provides a pleasant savoury taste without the need of adding monosodium glutamate. Accordingly, the particulate bouillon composition contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % glutamate, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % glutamate.

Also addition of yeast extract as a taste enhancer is not required. Consequently, in a preferred embodiment the particulate bouillon composition contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % yeast extract, more preferably the composition contains no yeast extract.

The particulate bouillon composition of the present invention also does not require addition of sugar (sucrose). Preferably, the composition contains less than <NUM> wt. % of sugar particles, more preferably the composition contains no sugar particles.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the particulate bouillon composition does not contain added colouring.

The water content of the particulate bouillon composition preferably does not exceed <NUM> wt. %, more preferably is in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> wt.

The flavouring that is applied in the particulate bouillon composition preferably contains a thermal process flavour.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process of preparing a particulate bouillon composition, said process comprising combining the following components in the indicated amounts:.

The components (a) to (h) that are employed in the present process preferably are the same components (a) to (h) as presented above in relation to the particulate bouillon composition of the present invention.

In the present process Allium selected from onion, shallot, garlic, leek and combinations thereof is preferably applied in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the present method employs <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight of Allium selected from onion, shallot and combinations thereof.

Garlic is preferably employed in the present process in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

Vegetables selected from carrot, tomato, red bell pepper, parsnip and combinations thereof are preferably employed in the process in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, tomato is employed in the process in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

Herbs selected from parsley, fenugreek, rosemary, bay leaves and combinations thereof are preferably are applied in the process in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

Preferably, the process employs two or more of the aforementioned herbs. More preferably, the process employs at least three herbs selected from parsley, fenugreek, rosemary and bay leaves.

The present process preferably employs <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight of herbal roots selected from celeriac, lovage root, root parsley and combinations thereof;.

Preferably, the process employs lovage root in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

The present process preferably employs root parsley in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

Spices selected turmeric, pepper, nutmeg, clove, celery seed and combinations thereof are preferably employed in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

Celery seed is preferably employed in the process in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

According to a preferred embodiment, the process comprises the addition of oil in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight and most preferably <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

Native starch is preferably employed as a thickener in the present process in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

Expanded starch particles are preferably added in the present process in an amount of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight, more preferably of <NUM>-<NUM> parts by weight.

According to a preferred embodiment, the process of the present invention yields a particulate bouillon composition as presented herein before.

The process of the present invention preferably does not comprise the addition of a source of monosodium glutamate, said source containing at least <NUM> wt. % of monosodium glutamate.

The present process preferably does not comprise addition of yeast extract.

The process preferably does not comprise addition of sugar (sucrose).

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a particulate bouillon composition in the preparation of food, said use comprising mixing a particulate bouillon composition according to the present invention with water.

The invention is further illustrated by means of the following non-limiting examples.

A vegetable bouillon powder was prepared on the basis of the recipe that is shown in Table <NUM>.

This bouillon powder was used to prepare a bouillon by adding two teaspoons of the powder to <NUM> of boiling water. The bouillon so obtained had an umami vegetable taste and smell and contained visible vegetable and herb pieces.

Another vegetable bouillon powder was prepared on the basis of the recipe that is shown in Table <NUM>.

This bouillon powder was used to prepare a bouillon by adding two teaspoons of the powder to <NUM> of boiling water. The bouillon so obtained had an umami vegetable taste and smell and contained visible vegetable and herb pieces.

A chicken bouillon powder was prepared on the basis of the recipe that is shown in Table <NUM>.

This bouillon powder was used to prepare a bouillon by adding two teaspoons of the powder to <NUM> of boiling water. The bouillon so obtained had the smell of cooked chicken and an umami chicken taste.

Another chicken bouillon powder was prepared on the basis of the recipe that is shown in Table <NUM>.

A beef bouillon powder was prepared on the basis of the recipe that is shown in Table <NUM>.

This bouillon powder was used to prepare a bouillon by adding two teaspoons of the powder to <NUM> of boiling water. The bouillon so obtained had a beefy roasty and umami taste.

Powder mixtures were prepared on the basis of the recipes shown in Table <NUM>.

The powders were mixed with hot water (<NUM> grams per litre) to produce bouillons that were evaluated by an expert panel in a blind tasting session.

The results of the tasting session are summarised in Table <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A particulate bouillon composition comprising:
(a) <NUM>-<NUM> wt.% of Allium selected from onion, shallot, garlic, leek and combinations thereof;
(b) <NUM>-<NUM> wt.% of vegetables selected from carrot, tomato, red bell pepper, parsnip and combinations thereof;
(c) <NUM>-<NUM> wt.% of herbs selected from parsley, fenugreek, rosemary, bay leaves and combinations thereof;
(d) <NUM>-<NUM> wt.% of herbal roots selected from celeriac, lovage root, root parsley and combinations thereof;
(e) <NUM>-<NUM> wt.% of spices selected turmeric, pepper, nutmeg, clove, celery seed and combinations thereof;
(f) <NUM>-<NUM> wt.% of thickener;
(g) <NUM>-<NUM> wt.% of filler;
(h) <NUM>-10wt.% of flavouring;
wherein the composition contains less than <NUM> wt.% sodium;
wherein components (a) to (e) constitute <NUM>-<NUM> wt.% of the composition;
wherein components (f) to (g) constitute <NUM>-<NUM> wt.% of the composition;
wherein components (a) to (h) constitute <NUM>-<NUM> wt.% of the composition.