Patent ID: 8865243

Claim:
A smooth and creamy acidified dairy food composition comprising: a smooth and creamy acidified dairy food; whole ground cocoa shells, and not more than 3 mass % cocoa powder; the whole ground cocoa shells including both fiber and fat from the cocoa shells, having a total fat content of about 6 to about 8 mass %, and a D 90 particle size of less than 25 μm; wherein the smooth and creamy acidified dairy food is selected from the group consisting of cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, kefir and fromage frais; wherein the smooth and creamy acidified dairy food composition is free of added hydrocolloids; wherein the whole ground cocoa shells provide stability to the smooth and creamy acidified dairy food composition without inclusion of the added hydrocolloids; and wherein the smooth and creamy acidified dairy food composition having the whole ground cocoa shells exhibits reduced sour notes as compared to an otherwise identical smooth and creamy acidified dairy food composition at the same pH but without the whole ground cocoa shells.