Method for obtaining an inulin-containing composition

A method for obtaining an inulin-containing composition, comprising the steps of:

• (1) providing an inulin-containing plant material in particulate form, wherein the particles have a particle size distribution such that at most 45 vol % of the particles has a size≤0.15 mm, and at least 90 vol % of the particles has a size≤4.0 mm;
• (2) subjecting the particulate inulin-containing plant material provided in step (1) to an extraction step comprising contacting the particulate inulin-containing plant material with an aqueous extractant and extracting the inulin from the plant material to the extractant to obtain an inulin-enriched juice and an inulin-depleted pulp wherein the extraction step or at least one of the plurality N of extraction steps have a duration per extraction step of between 10 and 300 sec;
• and wherein the temperature of the extractant in the extraction step or in at least one of the plurality N of extraction steps is provided between 60° C. and 75° C.;
• and
• (3) separating the inulin-enriched juice as filtrate from the inulin-depleted pulp as retentate wherein the inulin-containing plant material is dried to a dry matter content of at least 80 wt. %, as measured by ISO 6496 before providing the inulin-containing plant material in said particulate form, or wherein the inulin-containing plant material is not dried before providing the inulin-containing plant material in said particulate form, and said particulate inulin-containing plant material is subjected to a prior separation step to remove a juicy fraction therefrom before said extraction.