Process for preparing calcium-supplemented not-from-concentrate fruit juice beverages
OwnerLarry E. Meyer, Russell A. Parkerinventors
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Abstract
A process for preparing calcium-supplemented, ready-to-serve, not-from-concentrate (NFC) fruit juice beverages is disclosed. This process involves circulating an acidified NFC juice stream containing citric and malic acid from a blend tank through a mixing zone that creates turbulent flow. A powdered source of calcium is then added to this acidified juice stream in the mixing zone. The calcium supplemented juice is recirculated back to the blend tank until the acidified juice comprises from about 0.05 to about 0.26% by weight solubilized calcium.
Claims10
A method for preparing a not-from concentrate calcium-supplemented fruit juice which comprises the steps of:
- (a) forming an acidified juice stream comprising (i) not-from-concentrate juice and (ii) added edible acid;
- (b) passing said acidified juice stream of step (a) through a mixing zone that creates a turbulent flow in said acidified juice stream;
- (c) adding a powdered source of calcium selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, calcium lactate, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, and mixtures thereof, to said acidified juice stream in the mixing zone until said acidified juice stream comprises from about 0.05% to about 0.3% by weight solubilized calcium, the total acid level in said acidified juice stream being sufficient to neutralize from about 100% to about 300% of said added calcium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.