Patent ID: 7101585

Claim:
A process for preparing a stable suspension of a protein material in an acidic beverage, comprising; forming a preblend (I) by mixing (A) a hydrated protein stabilizing agent and (B) at least one flavoring material comprising a fruit juice, a vegetable juice, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, glucono delta lactone or phosphoric acid; and mixing preblend (I) and (C) a hydrated and homogenized protein material slurry wherein the homogenization is carried out in two stages comprising a high pressure stage of from 1500–5000 pounds per square inch and a low pressure stage of from 300–1000 pounds per square inch to form a blend; and pasteurizing and homogenizing the blend wherein the homogenization of the blend is carried out in two stages comprising a high pressure stage of from 8000–30,000 pounds per square inch and a low pressure stage of from 300–1000 pounds per square inch; wherein the acid beverage composition has a pH of from 3.0 to 4.5.