Food article

A process for producing a food article consisting of an edible composition having an elongated member extending therefrom, the edible composition having a water content of less than 5 wt. %, said process comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a mixture of edible ingredients comprising,
• i) edible crystalline material selected from sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sucrose and combinations thereof;
• ii) plant matter selected from vegetables, fruit, herbs, spices and combinations thereof;
• iii) water,
• a1) heating the mixture of edible ingredients provided in step a) at a temperature of at least 60° C. for at least 1 minute;
• and adding ungelatinized starch after the mixture of edible ingredients has been heated to at least at a temperature of at least 60° C. for at least 1 minute;
• b) cooling the mixture of edible ingredients by:
• i) cooling and agitating the mixture of edible ingredients to provide a cooled mixture having a temperature of −20 to 5° C. and positioning an elongate member in the cooled mixture, or
• ii) filling a mould with the mixture of edible ingredients and providing the mould with an elongate member, and contacting the mould with a liquid or gaseous refrigerant to provide a frozen mixture, and
• c) freeze-drying the cooled mixture of step i) or ii) having an elongate member extending therefrom to obtain a food article.