US20080038409A1 - Steeped cocoa compositions and functional cocoa beverages made from them - Google Patents

Steeped cocoa compositions and functional cocoa beverages made from them Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080038409A1
US20080038409A1 US11/717,165 US71716507A US2008038409A1 US 20080038409 A1 US20080038409 A1 US 20080038409A1 US 71716507 A US71716507 A US 71716507A US 2008038409 A1 US2008038409 A1 US 2008038409A1
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Prior art keywords
cocoa
water
beverage
acid
composition
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Abandoned
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US11/717,165
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English (en)
Inventor
Malathy Nair
Tim Kohr
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Hershey Co
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Individual
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Priority to US11/717,165 priority Critical patent/US20080038409A1/en
Publication of US20080038409A1 publication Critical patent/US20080038409A1/en
Assigned to THE HERSHEY reassignment THE HERSHEY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NAIR, MALATHY, KOHR, TIM
Assigned to HERSHEY COMPANY, THE reassignment HERSHEY COMPANY, THE CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE'S NAME, PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 022362 FRAME 0321. THE ASSIGNOR HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Assignors: NAIR, MALATHY, KOHR, TIM
Priority to US13/079,649 priority patent/US20110268846A1/en
Priority to US14/462,027 priority patent/US9241500B2/en
Priority to US14/967,833 priority patent/US20160095330A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L2/00—Non-alcoholic beverages; Dry compositions or concentrates therefor; Their preparation
    • A23L2/38—Other non-alcoholic beverages
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
    • A23G1/00—Cocoa; Cocoa products, e.g. chocolate; Substitutes therefor
    • A23G1/30—Cocoa products, e.g. chocolate; Substitutes therefor
    • A23G1/56—Cocoa products, e.g. chocolate; Substitutes therefor making liquid products, e.g. for making chocolate milk drinks and the products for their preparation, pastes for spreading, milk crumb
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L2/00—Non-alcoholic beverages; Dry compositions or concentrates therefor; Their preparation
    • A23L2/02—Non-alcoholic beverages; Dry compositions or concentrates therefor; Their preparation containing fruit or vegetable juices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L2/00—Non-alcoholic beverages; Dry compositions or concentrates therefor; Their preparation
    • A23L2/52—Adding ingredients
    • A23L2/60—Sweeteners
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
    • A23L33/10—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof using additives
    • A23L33/105—Plant extracts, their artificial duplicates or their derivatives
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/001—Packaging other articles presenting special problems of foodstuffs, combined with their conservation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
    • A23G2200/00—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF containing organic compounds, e.g. synthetic flavouring agents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
    • A23G2200/00—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF containing organic compounds, e.g. synthetic flavouring agents
    • A23G2200/14—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF containing organic compounds, e.g. synthetic flavouring agents containing fruits, nuts, e.g. almonds, seeds, plants, plant extracts or essential oils

Definitions

  • the invention relates to new beverage products made from water steeped in a cocoa product or powder and combinations with one or more functional or healthful ingredients, such as energy-producing, stimulating, immune-defense, heart health, detoxifying, muscle recuperating, cognition enhancing, or relaxing ingredients or supplements, for example.
  • the beverages contain a percentage of a cocoa water ingredient having beneficial or significant levels of cocoa antioxidants, optionally in combination with one or more vitamins, extracts, or nutriceuticals known in the art.
  • the preferred fortified, refreshing, and/or energy-sustaining beverages of the invention can be produced as a ready-to-drink product, a concentrate, or as a mix or packet to produce a beverage.
  • the beverages can be produced as a tea-type drink, a flavored or enhanced water drink, a juice cocktail-type drink, or an energy drink, and may optionally contain healthy ingredients in addition to the beneficial cocoa antioxidants and energy-producing ingredients.
  • the methods of the invention permit effective filtering and processing of a cocoa/water mixture as well as options to reduce or substantially reduce the appearance of a surface fat ring, or cocoa fat ring, commonly present in the beverage containers of fat-containing compositions upon storage.
  • cocoa beverages have been available. Almost exclusively, however, these products employ a milk or liquor base to dissolve the cocoa or maintain the cocoa solids in solution. Immediate examples include chocolate milk and cocoa or chocolate liqueurs. However, as more and more evidence shows the benefit of cocoa antioxidants or cocoa polyphenol compounds, a variety of food products with these compounds are desirable.
  • the invention addresses this desire by combining conventional tea steeping processes with cocoa polyphenol-containing products, concentrates or extracts to produce a refreshing cocoa beverage that optionally includes energizing and/or stimulating ingredients.
  • the invention addresses the problem of filtering a mixture of a cocoa product and water or aqueous solution, as prior methods were prone to clogging and inefficiencies that prevent commercial production.
  • the invention addresses the problem of fat rings commonly found in the container or at the surface of a beverage containing fat, such as the fat of cocoa butter.
  • the present invention relates to beverages made from steeped cocoa or what is referred to as “cocoa water,” which can be produced from cocoa products such as cocoa extracts, cocoa concentrates, cocoa powder, or other cacao bean compositions.
  • the invention relates to novel methods for making and the novel use of a steeped or brewed cocoa water as described herein.
  • the invention provides a method for producing a refreshing beverage containing cocoa flavor compounds and cocoa polyphenols, and which in certain optional embodiments contain substantially zero calories and/or fat or is a low calorie beverage.
  • the cocoa water can be produced from a method of steeping cocoa products and filtering or removing solids or particulates, and then optionally combining this cocoa water with a juice or extract, such as a fruit, herbal, or vegetable juice or extract, that provides nutritional elements and reduces the astringency or bitterness commonly present in a cocoa composition.
  • a juice or extract such as a fruit, herbal, or vegetable juice or extract
  • the cocoa water component itself provides a novel, refreshing base and contains cocoa flavor compounds and cocoa polyphenols, which can be the base material for a number of mixed beverage compositions or a primary beverage component.
  • the cocoa water can be mixed with sweeteners and water or tea or other beverage to produce a tea-type beverage also.
  • the cocoa water contains no detectable solid or particulate matter as determined by conventional beverage tasting methods, such as taste tests.
  • the cocoa water contains no detectable particles over 50 microns in diameter, or has substantially no particles above 50 microns in diameter, or substantially no particles above 20 microns, or above 10 microns, or above 5 microns in diameter. Certain optional embodiments contain substantially zero calories and/or fat or can be a low calorie beverage.
  • the beverage can be sealed in a container for commercial distribution and be shelf-stable for about 1 to about 9 months, or more than 9 months, or at least six months at room temperature.
  • a variety of filtering, irradiating, heating, centrifugation, or treatment methods, or a combination of these, can be used to produce a beverage capable of stable storage over a period of time.
  • Other similar or compatible methods known or available in the art can also be used.
  • the method for producing the cocoa water can include the use of purified or sterilized water at certain temperatures, or at a number of desired temperatures or ranges in temperature. However, any potable water or even flavored or carbonated water can be used. Filtering or purifying methods to remove insoluble components, or most of or substantially all of the insoluble components can be used, as known in the art.
  • Preferred water includes carbon filtered water, deionized water, and/or water purified by reverse osmosis.
  • aqueous solutions can be used, such as buffered aqueous solutions of citric acid, more preferably about 0.1 to about 1.0% citric acid, or about 0.4% to about 0.7%, or about 0.6% citric acid at about pH 4 or below, or between about pH 3 and pH 4.
  • An aqueous solution prepared from water previously mixed with cocoa nibs can also be used.
  • the use of this cocoa nib-treated water can provide additional cocoa flavoring, and the cocoa nib-treated water can also be free of fat and/or substantially free of calories.
  • the water After steeping the water or aqueous solution with the cocoa product, the water is filtered or purified to produce a ready-to-drink beverage base referred to as cocoa water.
  • An optional filtering or clarifying filter process to prepare an essentially colorless cocoa water can also be used in certain embodiments, and various beverage and juice filtration systems are available for this purpose.
  • the cocoa water can optionally be concentrated by methods known in the art, and then used by adding water and optionally sweeteners and/or flavorings to produce a ready-to-drink product.
  • the cocoa water can be used as a base and one or more functional ingredients added to produce a final beverage or an ingredient for a food or beverage.
  • the invention encompasses many different cocoa-based compositions and products and the methods for producing them.
  • the base cocoa water composition is used with one or more fruit juices, which here encompasses fruit-based products and fruit juice concentrates and/or fruit extracts and/or essence of fruits or extracts. Any available fruit can be used for these juices, concentrates, or extracts, as well as any combination of two or more.
  • preferred examples include: citrus fruits; orange; tangerine; cranberry; pomegranate; black currant; blueberry; grape; concord grape; white grape; pear; and apple. Additional fruits are listed below and throughout this document and its examples.
  • the combination of a fruit juice and the cocoa water provides a refreshing flavor that masks or blocks the sometimes bitter or astringent flavors in the cocoa water itself.
  • the cocoa water concentrations in the final beverage are about 5% to about 10%, or about 10% to about 20%, or about 10% to about 60%, and the optional fruit juice is about 8% to about 40%. As noted below and throughout this document, many other ranges or specific beverages can be selected and used.
  • a tea or tea product can, alternatively or additionally, be added to the cocoa water to produce a beverage.
  • Various teas can be selected for use, including green tea, white tea, and any available tea blends.
  • elixirs, extracts and/or antioxidant preparations can be used as an additive in the beverages, such as extracts of green tea, white tea, cacao beans or nibs, grapeseed, blueberries, raspberries, black currant, cranberries, Japanese knotweed, or other antioxidant-containing food product, botanical, or other source.
  • caffeine, theobromine, guarana, taurine, and other compounds can be present or added to the beverage.
  • the beverages include one or more flavors or flavor combinations or mixes, especially those compatible with beverages or what is known as beverage flavors.
  • the flavors are compatible with the cocoa water base of the beverages and can be selected from those commonly used with cocoa and chocolate products, for example, and/or tea products.
  • a concentrated plant extract, or essence can also be used and refers to a concentrated plant extract containing its unique flavor and fragrance and capable of being used in a food, beverage, or for human consumption.
  • the invention comprises packets or dried beverage components for producing a beverage or composition of the invention.
  • the packets can be similar to tea bags and can be submerged in water for steeping, as desired.
  • the dried beverage components can be produced from conventional or available drying, spray drying, or concentrating processes of the art.
  • the methods and products use natural cocoa or extracts that are not treated with alkaline, a process also known as “Dutching.”
  • a variety of cocoa powders, cocoa extracts, cocoa concentrates, cocoa compositions, and cacao bean compositions are known and available to one of skill in the art and can be selected for use in any aspect of the invention.
  • cocoa products or extracts with enhanced levels of cocoa polyphenols or cocoa flavanols, or extracts with additives can also be selected for use.
  • Defatted or non-fat cocoa products such as defatted cocoa powder, can also be used alone or with other cocoa products.
  • cocoa powder can be any of a variety of products and combinations as well as specific combinations of the cacao bean-derived products noted in this disclosure.
  • the invention comprises beverages that contain efficacious flavanols, flavanoids, polyphenols, antioxidants, cocoa polyphenols and/or cocoa antioxidants and/or other cocoa-derived compounds or compositions. These beverages can be used in a healthy diet, for example a diet to improve cardiovascular conditions or prevent cardiovascular disease or maintain weight.
  • a cocoa beverage composition that is a sugar-free and/or calorie-free cocoa beverage.
  • Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide a cocoa beverage that is sugar-free and/or calorie-free and optionally contains other available or known supplements, active ingredients, appetite suppressing agents, and similar agents or ingredients, especially those also found in antioxidant-containing foods, herbs, teas, coffees, or food product ingredients.
  • beverage or packet composition may also or in addition be combined with one or more other dietary nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc., to provide a nutritional or dietary supplement. Any of these combinations of the invention can advantageously provide benefits to human health and capture additional beneficial effects. Also, all of the ingredients or combinations may be combined with appropriate stabilizers, emulsifiers, preservatives, binders, carageenans, and other edible or ingestible compounds known to one of skill in the art in the industry to produce a packet or beverage.
  • the invention includes methods of selecting appropriate combinations of cocoa products, conditions, manufacturing steps, or additives or ingredients to produce a shelf-stable product, and particularly a product capable of being stored as a ready-to-drink beverage in a container for at least one month at room temperature, or at least two months at room temperature, or at least three months at room temperature, or at least six months at room temperature.
  • the invention includes methods to produce a cocoa water composition, and the compositions themselves, whereby the propensity to form a fat ring on a storage container of the cocoa water or a final product is substantially reduced or minimized.
  • the invention includes the use of acidifying conditions or low pH buffering additives, such as citric acid, lactic acid and/or phosphoric acid compounds or combinations, used at one or more steps in the production process.
  • a pH of about 3.5 or below can substantially reduce the appearance of a fat ring on the container after storage. Filtration steps, filter aids, centrifugation steps, and settling time, all at selected or different temperatures, can substantially reduce the appearance of a fat ring.
  • the use of low fat cocoa powder with about 1.2% fat, can reduce the appearance of a fat ring. In general, low fat cocoa powder contains lees than 10% cocoa butter, and defatted cocoa powder contains less than 2% cocoa butter.
  • defatted cocoa powder combined with an acid additive is one preferred method for reducing the fat ring, but any cocoa powder, or cocoa product, that is defatted or low in fat can be used alone or in combination with other cocoa products.
  • defatted cocoa powder combined with an acid additive is one preferred method for reducing the fat ring, but any cocoa powder, or cocoa product, that is defatted or low fat can be used alone or in combination with other cocoa products.
  • the products and the methods of the invention can, in any embodiment, also include aseptic processing, for example treatments of the water or aqueous solution, the cocoa product-water mixture, and/or the final steeped product.
  • Beverage emulsifiers, beverage stabilizers, weighting agents, thickeners can also be added, and a preferred group is polysorbates, carrageenans, Tween 60, Tween 80, and gum arabic. Additional methods provide for selecting particular cocoa compositions, conditions for steeping, water, and other optional ingredients to optimize the taste, mouthfeel, or acidity of the ready-to-drink product.
  • cocoa-containing extracts, products or compositions noted here refer to the terms as used in Minifie (Chocolate, Cocoa, and Confectionery, 3d ed., Aspen Publishers), specifically incorporated herein by reference.
  • the cocoa-containing product used to produce a cocoa water can be a cocoa powder, such as natural cocoa powder, dutched cocoa powder, extra fine or finely ground cocoa powder having average particle sizes less than 30 microns, low fat or non-fat cocoa powder, unroasted cocoa powder, underfermented cocoa powder, unfermented cocoa powder, low roasted cocoa powder, heavily roasted cocoa powder, cocoa products produced from unfermented cacao nibs, cocoa products produced from unroasted cacao nibs, any of these products as an extra fine or finely ground cocoa product or powder having average particle sizes less than 30 microns, or less than 10 microns, or even less than 5 microns, and any combination of these cocoa products or powders.
  • a cocoa powder such as natural cocoa powder, dutched cocoa powder, extra fine or finely ground cocoa powder having average particle sizes less than 30 microns, low fat or non-fat cocoa powder, unroasted cocoa powder, underfermented cocoa powder, unfermented cocoa powder, low roasted
  • a finely ground, low to medium roast cocoa powder is selected.
  • cocoa powder from fermented and heavily roasted, or very dark roast, beans can be used.
  • various types of defatted or low fat or substantially fat free cocoa powders can be selected and used, such as one of more from the above in a defatted or low fat or fat free state.
  • One skilled in the art is familiar with the different degrees of roasting possible and the use of hygrometers or equilibrium relative humidity measurements to compare the degree of roasting.
  • the cocoa-containing product can also be selected from one or more of: cocoa extracts containing flavanols, baking chocolate, chocolate liquor, cocoa extracts, cacao beans, cacao nibs, cocoa kibble, semisweet chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, and milk chocolate.
  • the invention relates to food products and methods of producing or manufacturing food products that provide healthful benefits of the natural antioxidants found in cocoa and chocolate.
  • the juices, concentrates of a juice, extracts, elixirs or fruit flavor of any one or more of the following can be used, as well as any other available edible juice or extract: citrus fruits; berries; orange; lemon; lime; tangerine; mandarin; grapefruit; acerola; grape; pear; passion fruit; pineapple; banana; apple; cranberry; cherry; raspberry; chokeberry; grapeseed; peach; plum; grape; currant; black currant; cranberry; blackberry; blueberry; pomegranate; acai; noni; elderberry; goji berry; rosehips; bilberry; hawthorne berry; ginko; gotu kola; rooibos; boysenberry; catuaba; horny goat weed; yohimbe; damiana; red raspberry leaf; vitex berry; blessed thistle; wolfberry; strawberry; mirabelle; watermelon; honeydew; cantaloupe; mango; papa
  • compositions and beverages of the invention will be, in most cases, cocoa polyphenol-containing beverages and compositions and are generally produced from natural cocoa products, such as cocoa nibs, cocoa kibble, or cocoa powder, or a product resulting from pressing the lipid content from fermented and roasted cacao bean nibs.
  • unroasted and/or unfermented cacao beans or cocoa products made from them can also be used to produce the compositions and beverages of the invention, and several unroasted and/or unfermented cacao products are available for use.
  • a “brewed cocoa water composition” can be any of the specific cocoa brew, steeped cocoa, or cocoa water compositions described, as well as concentrates and purified preparations of any of these compositions. As it is produced from a cocoa bean composition, the brewed cocoa water composition will contain cocoa antioxidants and cocoa polyphenols and other cocoa nutrients and beneficial compounds.
  • the preferred brewed cocoa water composition will have substantially all of the solid particulates less than 50 microns, or less than 30 microns, or less than 10 microns, or even less than 5 microns removed.
  • the terms “cocoa powder,” “cocoa bean compositions,” and “cocoa products” are essentially interchangeable and mean a product from a cacao bean, regardless of the method or treatment employed to produce the powder, composition or product.
  • combinations of cocoa products or cocoa powders, produced from different types of cacao beans or from different bean processing methods or conditions can be used.
  • the natural cocoa powders, cocoa powders and products from unroasted and/or unfermented cacao beans all contain cocoa polyphenols.
  • cocoa butter Approximately 10-25% of the lipid fraction (cocoa butter) is retained in natural cocoa, and all or a percentage of the fat can be removed from any of these powders or products. Furthermore, the preferred cocoa powders, cocoa bean compositions, and cocoa products for use with the invention are not treated with alkaline, a process also known as “Dutching.” Other cocoa products, such as breakfast cocoa and chocolate liquor can be used. As one of skill in the art understands, a certain amount or percentage of cocoa solids in a food ingredient can be achieved, inter alia, by using or adding an amount of cocoa powder, chocolate liquor, or other chocolate or cocoa ingredient containing the requisite amount of cocoa solids.
  • a certain amount or percentage of natural cocoa in a food ingredient can be achieved, inter alia, by using or adding an amount of cocoa powder, chocolate liquor or other chocolate or cocoa ingredient.
  • a cocoa containing product having a particular antioxidant or polyphenol level is not required, the invention encompasses the use of cocoa containing products with enhanced, altered, or increased levels of antioxidants or polyphenol compounds as compared to conventional cocoa containing products.
  • a variety of production methods, extraction methods, and the addition of extracts or cocoa-derived polyphenols have been mentioned and can be used by one of ordinary skill in the art to create cocoa beverages and compositions of the invention.
  • Other nutritional, therapeutic, or preventative ingredients can be added as well, as known in the art.
  • cocoa polyphenols With respect to cocoa polyphenols, numerous studies have indicated a strong inverse correlation between heart disease and the consumption of polyphenol-containing compounds (Vita, J. A., Am J Clin Nutr 81(Suppl):292S-7S (2005)). Although cocoa beans and the products thereof have been considered to have health promoting properties for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Central American cultures, recent analytical technologies have allowed for characterization of specific chemistry of the cocoa bean (Hurst, W. J. et al., Nature 418: 289-90 (2002)). Analysis of cocoa, the main product of the cacao bean, indicates that it is highly concentrated in certain polyphenol compounds, specifically in the flavanoid family.
  • the invention comprises beverages, compositions, concentrates, and packets for producing beverages that contain measurable or efficacious amounts of cocoa polyphenols, cocoa flavanols, and/or cocoa antioxidants from the cocoa product steeping process.
  • a refreshing and healthy post-exercise beverage of the invention can contain antioxidants, which can help recovery from exertion or muscle fatigue.
  • the brewed cocoa water composition that can be used in the invention, it can be produced by steeping warm water from about 20° C. to about 100° C. in a cocoa powder, such as one or more of the following cocoa bean compositions: Hersheys® cocoa powder; a cocoa powder made from unroasted and/or unfermented cocoa beans; a cocoa powder containing less than 3% cocoa fat or total fat; and a cocoa powder from unfermented, unroasted, blanched cocoa beans.
  • the cocoa bean composition used for example cocoa powder, cocoa nib product, cocoa kibbles, or cocoa bean extract or concentrate, can be used at a concentration of about 0.8% to about 60% in water or aqueous solution.
  • cocoa product can be used in the steeping process to vary the taste and cocoa polyphenol content, and up to about 8% natural cocoa powder is mentioned below.
  • about 8 oz of water can be combined with about 2 Tblsp of a cocoa powder or cocoa bean composition. After steeping for about 2 to about 5 minutes, the steeped water is filtered through a membrane filter and is ready to drink or be used in preparing the nutritionally fortified cocoa beverages of the invention.
  • the cocoa powder or cocoa bean composition and water mixture can begin with water, or an aqueous solution as noted herein, wherein the water is at about 200° F., followed by a steeping process for about 5 minutes, then the mixture is flash cooled to about 130° F., or any temperature between about 160° F. and about 60° F.
  • a room temperature or 70° F. rest period can also be used, for at least 10 minutes or between about 45 minutes and 2 hours.
  • the cocoa powder or cocoa bean composition is mixed with pH adjusted water at about pH 4-5, or a pH between about pH 3 and about pH 4, and at a temperature of about 135° F. to about 145° F., steeped for about 5 minutes, the centrifuged or clarified by filtration to remove particulates.
  • the cooling or flash cooling or rest period process can be designed to remove substantially all of the cocoa solids from the solution, whereby the resulting mixture can be efficiently filtered.
  • the cocoa fat, or substantially all of the total fat present and/or fat complexed with protein can be removed, such as by skimming the fat layer from the surface, decanting the mixture, and/or by filtering the mixture.
  • the removal of fat can prevent the oil or fat ring sometimes present in beverage containers after storage for a period of time.
  • the substantial removal of the propensity to form a fat ring in a beverage with fat from cocoa products as high as used here is a unexpected and advantageous aspect of the methods of the invention, which results in beverage products with superior storage and appearance characteristics compared to simple steeping process used in a tea production method.
  • Additional benefits of the optional flash cooling or rest period process are the improvement in flavor characteristics.
  • the flash cooling or other limiting of the time period the cocoa water is heat treated can reduce prune notes in the flavor, reduce the brown coloring, and limit any increase in bitterness or astringency caused by heat treatments.
  • resting at room temperature prior to filtration appears to substantially reduce the appearance of a fat ring.
  • weighting agents or emulsifiers can be added to help solubilize the fat or a fat layer present.
  • An optional homogenization process can be used in conjunction with the added weighting agents and/or emulsifiers, and homogenizing with a gum arabic added is preferred.
  • Each of these processes for producing cocoa water, and any process of the invention can be used with an aqueous solution at about pH 4 or between about pH3 and about pH 4, with pH 3.5 especially preferred.
  • aqueous solution at about pH 4 or between about pH3 and about pH 4, with pH 3.5 especially preferred.
  • the parameters such as the % cocoa bean composition used to steep; steeping time; stirring or agitation during steeping; temperature of the steeping solution; filtration system used; flash cooling and temperature of flash cooling or resting; pH of water or aqueous solution; and the type of water or aqueous solution used
  • a desired flavor, flavor concentration, color, and/or the total cocoa polyphenol content of a cocoa water, beverage or beverage concentrate of the invention can be used with an aqueous solution at about pH 4 or between about pH3 and about pH 4, with pH 3.5 especially preferred.
  • the parameters such as the % cocoa bean composition used to steep; steeping time; stirring or agitation during steeping; temperature of the steeping solution; filtration system
  • the cocoa extract, cocoa powder, concentrate, and/or cocoa bean composition used to steep can be incorporated into a packet or filter packet according to the invention, and thus the invention comprises combinations with packet materials that do not completely disperse in the water and are typically used to brew tea-type beverages.
  • the cocoa extracts or solids should be primarily retained in the packet.
  • the filter packet is at least one sheet or face of filter material bonded around its edges to a front or back face of the packet, whereby the water is allowed to flow through the cocoa material. Both sides and even the entire packet can be composed of this filter material to maximize the area available for steeping.
  • the packet can contain from about 2 gm to about 12 gm or more of ground cacao beans or cocoa powder or cocoa extract, or other cocoa product or composition as discussed herein.
  • the packet may also contain flavoring agents and/or additional natural products, such as tea, green tea, or ginseng.
  • the packet is sized and filled or adapted to brew a single serving of cocoa beverage.
  • the cocoa composition used can include other ingredients as discussed herein or as known or available in the brewing or food and beverage art.
  • compressed compositions can be used, such as a compressed cocoa powder or cacao bean extracts, to preserve the freshness and/or reduce the size of the packet.
  • the packet itself may be sized or shaped to fit a particular container, such as a coffee cup or 12 oz cup.
  • the method of producing a cocoa water of the invention includes contacting a cocoa powder with purified, carbon filtered, or deionized water for about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes, or even up to 72 hours, at about 80° C. or above, or preferred temperature about 145° F., or anywhere in between about 140° F. to about 185° F.
  • an acid such as citric acid or ascorbic acid lactic acid or phosphoric acid, can be used to adjust the pH, preferably to below 7 and more preferably to about 6.5 or below or about 6.0 or below.
  • an aqueous solution at about pH 4.6 or below, or about 4.0 or below, or between about pH 3.0 and pH 4.0 can be used with any of the cocoa bean compositions, products or powders.
  • the use of buffered acidic aqueous solutions has the added benefit of preserving the levels of cocoa polyphenols present.
  • the steeping mixture can be hot centrifuged, stirred and/or crude filtered at 145° F. through a mesh filter and/or 50 um filter and/or 6 um filter and/or 1-10 um filter.
  • the type of step taken with the mixture can vary for the type of product desired, and any one or more of centrifugation, decanting, settling or resting, cooling, press filtration, vacuum filtration, and membrane filtration can be selected.
  • the steeped mixture or the steeping process can include or be partially comprised of any one or more of percolation, flow through a packed column, a series of packed columns, supercritical extraction, and continuous belt extraction.
  • Filtration steps and filter aids used, at this or any other step can include one of more of polyester filters, teflon filters, polypropylene filters, polyvinylidenedifluoride filters, polyethersulfone filters, cellulose filters, cellulose and diatomaceous earth filters, sand, silicates, vermiculite, diatomite, perlite, diatomaceous earth, cocoa shells, nut shells, and cocoa nibs.
  • the methods of the invention can include a mechanical separation step with a filtration step, in any order, or one or the other of mechanical separation or filtration.
  • the crude filtered, steeped cocoa water can optionally then be cooled and centrifuged at about 7000 rpm for about 10 minutes, or from 1 to 30 minutes, or at various other speeds and/or for different periods of time. It can also be hot centrifuged.
  • the pH can be, or again be, adjusted, for example with citric, phosphoric, or ascorbic acid to about 6.0 or below, or about 6.5 or below, or about 4.6 or below, or about 4.0 or below, or between about 3.0 and 4.0.
  • a 1 um microfiltration step can be used and the product sealed or stored in a sterilized container or diluted with sterilized water and then stored or sealed in a container.
  • Multiple filtration steps or the use of a 1 um or smaller filter can be used, but the total polyphenol content of cocoa water is reduced with additional filtration.
  • the containers can then be heat treated for later use.
  • cocoa beverages of the invention may contain high concentrations of polyphenol or flavanol compounds, in particular catechins and epicatechins
  • advantageous embodiments of the invention prevent the oxidation of these compounds with metal ions, such as calcium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc or iron, and dissolved oxygen.
  • Oxidized polyphenols may also gradually bind to other components and result in changes in color, clarity, or form a sediment. Any of the conventional or available manufacturing processes to prevent the occurrence of oxidation and sediment can be employed.
  • any of the following can be tested or used with the cocoa beverages of the invention: removing causative substances by filtration, such as membrane filtration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration or diatomaceous earth or perlite filtration; adding complexing agents, emulsifiers, or ascorbic acid and sodium bicarbonate, or actively precipitating the causative substances followed by filtration; adding chemicals or enzyme reagents to solubilize or stabilize insoluble complexes; and adsorbing and/or removing metal ions by chromatographic or ion exchange treatment.
  • filtration such as membrane filtration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration or diatomaceous earth or perlite filtration
  • complexing agents, emulsifiers, or ascorbic acid and sodium bicarbonate or actively precipitating the causative substances followed by filtration
  • adding chemicals or enzyme reagents to solubilize or stabilize insoluble complexes
  • adsorbing and/or removing metal ions by chromatographic or ion exchange treatment can be tested or used with the cocoa beverages of
  • the filtration or membrane filtration or ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cut-off barrier of between about 10,000 to about 100,000 can be used, or a membrane that removes particles of about 10 um or less or about 5 um or less, or about 1 um or less.
  • Clarifying beverages by adding acid or buffering solutions is known in the art, where acidifying or buffering agents are used, rapid cooling, centrifuging, and then filtrating with diatomaceous earth is an option.
  • centrifuging or cloth-filtering the warm-water extract and combining with a process adding an enzyme is known in the art and can be used.
  • the water for steeping can be selected to optimize particular effects and hard water, soft water, ion-exchanged water, distilled water, carbon filtered water, spring or natural water, aqueous solutions containing acids, such as citric acid or ascorbic acid, or pH-adjusted or buffered water can all be selected. Since certain cocoa polyphenols and flavanols can be effected by pH and the steeping water used, pH of the water can be maintained or adjusted, for example to be in a particular range.
  • the pH range can be a pH of 7.1 or less, a pH in the acidic range, or from about 6.5 to about 4.5, or about 6.5 or below, or about 6.0 or below, or about 4.0 or below, or about 3.5 or below, or between about 3.0 and 4.0.
  • the pH of the final finished product can also be adjusted, and preferred examples include a pH between pH 3 and pH 4, especially preferred is pH 3.5.
  • Carbonation processes can also be employed on the final finished product to produce a carbonated beverage.
  • a non-pressurized process is preferred, however, certain steeping or brewing devices and methods can be used where the water and cocoa product used in steeping are under pressure can be selected.
  • pressure ranges are known to and can be used by one of skill in the art in any of the embodiments of the invention.
  • percolation and packed columns using cocoa products can be used.
  • Modified packets of the invention can even be designed for use in pressurized devices, such as cappuccino or espresso machines. Many packets and sealed containers containing packets or the interior of the packet components are known in the art and can be considered in conjunction with this invention.
  • the temperature of the steeping water may also effect the content of the final beverage.
  • a variety of temperature ranges can be tested and used, including from about 20° C. (or about 68° F.) to about 100° C. (or about 210° F.), and more particularly from about 45° C. to about 100° C., or about 60° C. to about 90° C.
  • a particularly preferred temperature range for producing high levels of cocoa polyphenols is about 140° F. to about 212° F., or about 165° F. to about 185° F.
  • a cooling step and/or resting step can also be included, to reduce the temperature, to reduce the temperature and/or settle particulates, or to functionally permit the formation of fat crystals, before or after a mechanical separation and/or filtration step, to about 135° F. or below, or even 40° F. to about 104° F., if desired.
  • the steeped water can be adjusted to a particular pH range, for example an acidic range of about pH 3 to about pH 4, or pH 4 to about pH 5, or a pH below 6 or below 7.
  • Acids and acid salts can be added, such as citric acid, citrates or sodium citrates, phosphoric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, ascorbates or sodium ascorbate can be added before, after, or at the same time of cooling or filtering the steeped water. Combinations of acids can also be used.
  • citric acid, citrates or sodium citrates phosphoric acid
  • lactic acid, ascorbic acid, ascorbates or sodium ascorbate can be added before, after, or at the same time of cooling or filtering the steeped water.
  • Combinations of acids can also be used.
  • By cooling or adjusting the pH or acidity of the steeped water or cocoa beverage it is possible to prevent the oxidation of the polyphenols and/or flavanols, especially preferred polyphenols that have beneficial health effects in humans.
  • the invention includes using any one or more of the following acids, any approved food acids, the salts of any of these acids, buffering agents, or co-solvents in the aqueous solution mixed with the cocoa product or as an additive to the steeped cocoa mixture: citric, malic, tartaric, fumaric, acetic, ascorbic, sulfuric, benzoic, lactic, phosphoric, or sorbic acid, ethyl alcohol, sodium acid sulfate, glycerol, propylene glycol, triethyl citrate, triacetate, benzyl alcohol, and vegetable oils.
  • catalysts can be added to aid in the stabilization of the cocoa butter in the presence of a molecule that contains an alcohol group and one that contains an acid to lower the pH.
  • These catalysts can include phosphoric acid, sodium acid sulfate, sulfuric acid, sodium carbonate, zinc acetate and the like.
  • Such catalysts can be added at about 0.01 to 1.0% of the weight of the reactants (the cocoa butter and molecule that contains an alcohol), or more preferably 0.03 to 0.5%.
  • Citric acid and lactic acid are examples of a molecule that contains both an alcohol and acid groups, although citric acid is a preferred embodiment.
  • the preferred solution for steeping is a purified water.
  • one embodiment is to carry out a crude filtration to remove particulate residue, such as cacao bean particulates, large or fine cocoa powder particles, and optionally to carry out a filtration to remove substances that cause sediment to form during storage.
  • the optional filtration step or even multiple filtration steps can be implemented anywhere and at any time in the manufacturing process.
  • any of a variety of filters and filtration devices known or available in the art can be selected, including those using a cloth or flannel filter, a stainless steel filter, a strainer, and combinations of these.
  • Microfiltration and ultrafiltration can also be used, as known and available products and methods for one of skill in the food and beverage art appreciates.
  • diatomaceous earth filtration and other appropriate membrane filtrations can also be selected and used alone or with any of the methods, steps or devices noted above or known or available in the art.
  • separations such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis membrane filtration, electro-dialysis and bio-functional membranes can also be selected or tested, alone or in combination with the above-mentioned steps or other available steps.
  • the separation step or mechanical separation step can be used alone or in combination with a filtration step, and a filtration step can be used alone or in combination with a separation step.
  • centrifugation steps or methods may be used.
  • centrifugation may be carried out and it is preferable to cool the steeped water or cocoa composition before and/or during centrifugation, for example to about 40° F. to about 104° F.
  • Centrifugation can also be combined with a diatomaceous earth filtration, or other filter aids like perlite, vermiculite, or diatomite, as centrifuging before filtration can reduce the filtration time, or increase the life of the filter.
  • various properties can be controlled for or adjusted, for example, the pH, the concentration of the cocoa component of the beverage and the concentration of the cocoa polyphenols and/or cocoa flavanols, the taste, the sweetness, and the mouthfeel.
  • color variations can be produced by changing the steeping time and/or by mechanically stirring or mixing the cocoa product-aqueous solution mixture.
  • the addition of one or more of the following types of products can be selected or tested in preferred aspects of the invention: the addition of more water (hard water, soft water, ion-exchanged water, spring or natural water, carbonated water, and other waters), citric acid, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium bicarbonate, sugars, sweetener, sugar alcohols, saccharides, dextrins, carrageenans, flavors, emulsifiers, beverage stabilizers, stabilizers or other seasoning agents or flavoring agents.
  • food approved acids, or food approved salts of acids such as those approved for use by the U.S. FDA in foods and beverages, can be used to adjust the pH and can be used for other purposes, such as flavoring.
  • An optional heat-sterilization process can be used before or after filling product containers. Filling at sterilizing temperatures like about 121° C. and/or treatment at 121° C. for 7 minutes under an appropriate pressure for certain beverages and container, especially cans, can be used. Tunnel pasteurization at about 15 minutes or by spraying with water at 140-175° F. can be used to sterilize. Ultra high temperature (UHT) sterilization can be used, and optionally keeping the beverage at between about 120 to about 150° C. for one second to several tens of seconds for certain beverages and containers, including plastic bottles.
  • UHT Ultra high temperature
  • bitter blocker agent or agents can be used.
  • an adenosine monophosphate compound can be selected, but any bitter blocker agent or compound, one or more mouth-watering agents, and/or one or more sweetness enhancers, as well as flavor agents and beverage flavor agents known or available can be selected.
  • these compounds or compositions or extracts decrease the desire for food for a period of time.
  • appetite suppressants include, but are not limited to, amfepramone (diethylpropion), phentermine, mazindol and phenylpropanolamine fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, and fluoxetine.
  • Various peptide and polypeptide compounds have also been tested and/or suggested for this purpose, including, but not limited to, Neuropeptide Y, PYY, pseudo-peptides, CCK, and fragments thereof.
  • Various plant and herbal extracts have been tested and suggested also, including, but not limited to epigallocatechin gallate from green tea extracts and green tea extracts themselves; ginseng or ginseng extracts; theobromine and high doses of theobromine, “high” meaning over 250 mg. per day, preferably over 1000 mg. per day; ephedrine; cinnamon bark extracts; and caffeine.
  • Additional food ingredients or edible ingredients can be combined with any of the compositions and combinations of the invention.
  • Especially preferred are one or more of the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) flavoring agents available or known.
  • Organic sweeteners such as sugars of organic can juice, can also be used.
  • Available nutritive or carbohydrate sweeteners that can be selected and used in the beverages, alone or in any combination, include sucrose, dextrose, fructose, liquid fructose, lactose, maltose, glucose, trehalose, oligofructose, inulin, agave syrup, corn syrup, invert sugar, honey, cane syrup, maple sugar, brown sugar, and molasses, for example.
  • artificial or non-nutritive sweeteners can be used in the invention, or in total or partial replacement of nutritive sweeteners, to produce low calorie or low carbohydrate products or sugar-free products.
  • sweeteners include, but are not limited to, Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), sucralose, maltitol, xylitol, erythritol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, isomaltulose, powdered hydrogenated glucose syrup, aspartame, neotame, cyclamate, saccharine, glycyrrhizine, dihydrochalcones, stevisoide, thaumatin, monellin, neohesperidine, any of the polyol compounds, and any available natural products of plants, such as glycosides and specifically stevioside and rebaudioside A, and any combination of two or more of these sweeteners.
  • Acesulfame potassium Ace-K
  • sucralose sucralose
  • maltitol xylitol
  • erythritol erythritol
  • mannitol
  • a preferred polyol or sugar alcohol is xylitol, but any others can be selected, alone or in any of various combinations possible, from, for example, erythritol, mannitol, sorbitol, and maltitol.
  • Sugar substitutes as known and available in the art, can also be used, alone or in various combinations.
  • a sweetener or sweetener composition can be used.
  • sucralose and neotame are two preferred sweeteners that can be used alone or in combination.
  • the non-nutritive, high-intensity sugar substitutes in general can also be used, including aspartame, Ace-K, cyclamate, and alitame.
  • Other sugars than can be used in any embodiment of the invention include sucrose, fructose, liquid fructose compositions, especially liquid fructose at about 90% in water, and corn syrups, and combination of these.
  • one or more sweetness enhancers can also be used, such as vanillin, vanillyl-n-butyl ether (VBE), and other compounds available in the art.
  • VBE vanillyl-n-butyl ether
  • sweetener and/or enhancer combinations with sustained sweetness or lingering sweetness characteristics.
  • Some of the preferred beverages and concentrates are low calorie products, and thus sugar substitutes and sweeteners are preferred, especially in producing products with a per serving calorie count of less than or about 100 calories, or less than or about 70 calories, or less than or about 60 calories, or less than or about 50 calories, or less than or about 40 calories, or less than or about 30 calories, or substantially zero calories.
  • Preservatives and similar functional compounds and compositions and stabilizing agents, emulsifiers or beverage stabilizers, can also be used in the beverages and compositions concentrates, or in mixing the concentrates into a ready-to-drink beverage.
  • the final finished products can contain one or more health or functional compounds available in the art. Many such functional compounds and the health conditions or tissue they intend to improve or effect have been described. The Examples below detail some preferred functional combinations. However, many others are possible.
  • Skin Health/Beauty Calcium; Chromium; Selenium; Zinc; Ascobyl Pulminate; Magnesium; L-Camitine; N-Acetyl-L-Camitine; L-Glutamine; Collagen Hydrolysate; Tumeric; DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol); Green Tea; Grape Seed; Alpha Lipoic Acid; Aloe Vera extract; CoenzymeQ10; Walnut; Pomegranate; Botanical Gelatin; Polyphenols
  • Digestive Tarragon oil; Amylase; Proteases; Lipase; Cellulose; Pectin; HCL; Sucrase; Maltase; Lactase; Probiotics
  • Vitamin B-Complex Vitamin B-Complex
  • Ginseng Ginseng
  • Ginkgo Biloba Caffeine
  • DHEA Dehydroepiandrosterone
  • Pregnenolone Melatonin
  • Enhancing Lilipolysis/Weight Loss Hoodia Gordonii; Gymnema Sylvestre; Hydroxycitrate: Green Tea Leaf Extract; Betaine; Piperine; Potassium; Maltodextrin; Vitamin C; Vitamin E; Thiamin; Riboflavin; Niacinamide; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Biotin; Chromium; Molybdenum; Garcinia Cambogia; Congugated Linoleic Acid (CLA); Glucosol; Guarana; Hawthorn; ECGC (epigallocatechin-3-gallate)
  • MSM dimethylsulfone
  • Multi-Vitamin Vitamins A, C, D3, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12; Folic Acid Pantothenic Acid; Biotin; Calcium; Iodine; Magnesium; Zinc; Selenium; Manganese; Chromium; Molybdenum; Potassium; Inositol
  • Body Building Androstenedione; L-Glutamine; L-Tyrosine; L-Arginine; L-Glycine; L-Lysine; Whey Protein; DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
  • Antioxidant Vitamin C; Vitamin E; Grape Seed; Alpha Lipoic Acid; Green Tea
  • plant sterols can be added or used, where plant sterols includes, without limiting to this specific list, phytosterols, phytosterol esters, phytostanols, phytostanol esters, and more particularly various positional isomers, stereoisomers, hydrogenated forms and/or phytostanol esters of the following non-limiting list of general plant sterols: sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, spinosterol, taraxasterol, brassicasterol, desmosterol, chalinosterol, poriferasterol, clionasterol, avenosterol, and ergosterol.
  • the above compounds or extracts containing them can be used alone or in any combination to provide two or more plant sterols or stanols for the composition or beverages of the invention.
  • any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention can comprise or include formulations of the cocoa beverages from extracts, concentrates, cocoa powder, or cocoa-containing products that are freeze-dried, dehydrated, or otherwise dried.
  • the dried or dehydrated product can then be used to produce a ready-to-mix product by adding water and optionally flavors and optionally carbonated water.
  • the dried or dehydrated products can also be used in packets, alone or together with other components, and used in ready-to-mix beverages, powdered mixes, sugar-free mixes, calorie-free mixes, confections, chocolate, sugar-free chocolate, and/or baked goods or sugar-free baked goods.
  • a concentrate can also be produced from the beverage product or composition by, for example, evaporation and spray drying.
  • water can be added and optionally flavoring agents, acids and/or buffering agents.
  • a low calorie beverage product (light brew)—1.27% cocoa powder in water is the concentration to be used for the steeping step. Water is heated from about 200 to 212° F. Cocoa is added and mixed for 5 minutes. The mixture is flash cooled to 130° F. It sits unagitated for 25 minutes. The temperature cools to 110° F. The liquid is removed from the top and the wet material on the bottom is pressed in a crude separation method. A polishing filtration step is next used, with a 6 micron filter, to remove the remaining liquid. This liquid is made into a finished product by adding sweetener (3.5% crystalline fructose), and citric acid (0.184% of a 50% solution).
  • a full-flavored product (rich brew)—3.6% cocoa powder in water is the concentration to be used for the steeping step. Water is heated from 200 to 212° F. and citric acid is added to the water (0.7% of a 50% solution). Cocoa is added and mixed for 5 minutes. The mixture is flash-cooled to 130° F. It sits unagitated for 25 minutes. The temperature cools to 110° F. Liquid is removed from top and the wet material on the bottom is pressed in a crude separation method. The final product is composed of 48.5% liquid extract, 41.5% added water, 10% liquid fructose. Preferred levels of sucrose are 1-8% and preferred levels of liquid fructose are 2-8%.
  • Acidified Cocoa Water 3.5% cocoa powder in water heated to 145° F. with about 0.03% to about 0.04% citric acid powder added to about pH 3.8 to about 4.2. The mixture is stirred for 5 minutes and the hot product is centrifuged. Centrifugation can be up to approximately 15-30 minutes depending on the batch and type of cocoa product used. A concentrate or brewed cocoa water is obtained. Total antioxidants extracted are in the range of 60-70%. A significant portion of the antioxidants that are not extracted may be the insoluble fraction of the polyphenols. In general, the cocoa water has particles less than 5 microns. The Table below shows the total polyphenol content, the content of certain polyphenol compounds, and the measured ORAC activity of the cocoa water that can be prepared.
  • Filtered Acid Brew Initial brewing step of 3.5% cocoa powder in water (carbon filtered with 0.5 micron filter) heated to 140° F. with about 0.35% citric acid powder added to produce about pH 3.8 solution for about 5 minutes.
  • the pH during the brewing step can be about pH 3.8, and additional pH adjustment at a cooling step can adjust to pH 3.5.
  • Various pH levels can be used or tested and the pH can vary from about 3 to about 4, but lower pH at about 3 do not have an optimum taste, and higher pH at about 4 can result in detectable fat ring in final product.
  • the preferred final beverage pH is 3.5.
  • the mixture can be stirred during the 5 minute brew period, and the hot product is centrifuged.
  • centrifugation can be approximately 15-30 minutes depending on the batch and type of cocoa product used, but centrifugation anywhere from 1 minute to about 30 minutes can be used.
  • the solution is again adjusted to the desired pH, such as pH 3.5, and allowed to rest at 70° F. for at least 10 minutes, or between about 45 minutes to 2 hours.
  • This solution is filtered through conventional cellulose, polypropylene, cellulose and diatomaceous earth, or polyester filter medium, as used in water purification or wine processing methods.
  • the solution is allowed to rest at 70° F. for a desired period of time, then filtered, then adjusted to a desired pH such as pH 3.5.
  • Various filter sizes can be used, including 1 micron, 5 micron, and 10 micron.
  • one or more filter aids can be added to the solution just before the filtration, such as perlite or diatomite.
  • One or more filter aids can also or optionally be used prior to the hot centrifugation.
  • This filtered, brewed cocoa water can then be used in mixing with other beverage ingredients, or concentrated.
  • an emulsifier can be combined with the brewed cocoa water, with gun arabic being the preferred emulsifier at a concentration that results in final product having about 0.5% gum arabic, or less than 0.5%, or between about 0.1% and about 0.05%.
  • a homogenization step can be used in combination with the added beverage emulsifier and/or weighting agent.
  • Phosphoric Acid Brew The above method is used except that phosphoric acid can be used instead of citric acid.
  • phosphoric instead of citric acid can result in brewed product and final product with more cocoa notes in taste profile.
  • phosphoric acid can be used together with citric acid to titrate to pH 3.5 during the steps noted above.
  • Gum Arabic-Containing Cocoa Brew An alternative to filtering is the addition of stabilizers, and/or emulsifiers, and/or weighting agents to the centrifuged brew followed by homogenization. Finished beverages made with this type of brew show little or no fat ring when held at ambient temperature over time. Gum arabic (gum acacia) is a preferred compound, and provides the best functionality and results in a clear finished beverage. Weighting agents can be added in combination with the gum arabic if a cloudy beverage is desired.
  • gum arabic is added to fresh, hot (90° F.-110° F.) centrifuged brew, mixed for 1 hour to maximize hydration, and acid adjusted to pH 3.8.
  • the suspension is then processed through a conventional 3000 psi/500 psi two-stage homogenizer.
  • the emulsion is diluted 1:5 with a mixture of water and other typical beverage ingredients, and filled into glass, no fat ring forms on the surface.
  • High Acid Steeped Cocoa—1.2% citric acid powder is added to water at 120° F. to produce a solution of about pH 3.0 and titratable acidity of about 1.25%. Cocoa powder to 3.5% w/w is added to the acidified water once the water was heated to about 140° F. The solution is stirred for 5 minutes and the hot product is continuously centrifuged at about 9400 rpm. The solution is mixed with other beverage ingredients within 30 minutes and hot filled into glass bottles. This product is stable and has noticeably reduced surface fat ring compared to process with no acid added.
  • Table 1 shows that when no citric acid is used during the steeping process, a large and visible fat ring forms on the container holding the cocoa water composition. Reducing the pH by the addition of citric acid, for example, and down to a pH of about pH 3, effectively reduces the potential to produce a fat ring on the storage container or surface of the beverage.
  • the acid present may create an interesterification reaction with the fat present, which is easily filtered out during the a centrifugation or filtration step prior to filling the storage container.
  • the pH can also be adjusted after filtration step and/or prior to filling in storage containers to reduce the fat ring-depositing potential.
  • Acid in Steep and Final Fill are tested for taste characteristics at various pH condition and pH adjusting points. For example, adding citric acid to water during steeping process and/or adding citric acid to the final product prior to fill can effect taste profile. While citric acid used here, other acid and acid salts, as noted above, can be used, especially phosphoric and lactic, and any and all combinations of acids or acid salts can also be used.
  • the “Final pH” here is the finished beverage pH.
  • the scale for taste characteristics is 1-9 (sourness; sweetness; astringency; cocoa flavor notes). As shown, the flavor profile of the cocoa water composition can be manipulated for a variety of beverages and desired processing steps.
  • the “Cocoa Water—Actual per ml” represents actual measurements of the levels in the cocoa water (3.5 g cocoa powder/100 ml water) used, and the “Extraction Efficiency” represents the ratio of actual measured values to the theoretical levels.
  • Total Polyphenols and ORAC can be measured by standard methods available, and polyphenol monomers and dimers can be measured by HPLC or other quantitative chromatography methods.
  • the purified cocoa water compositions described here can be produced by methods to retain or preserve certain levels of the total polyphenols, ORAC activity, polyphenol monomers, polyphenol dimers, or other subsets of polyhenols present from the cocoa product or cocoa bean product used to make the steeped cocoa water.
  • over about 40% of the total polyphenols can be retained or preserved, or from about 50% to about 70%, or about 30% to about 50%.
  • about 60% to about 70% of the ORAC activity present can be retained or preserved.
  • about 50% to about 80% of polyphenol monomers or dimers can be retained or preserved, or about 60% to about 70%, or about 50% to about 60%, or more than 50%.
  • 1 mg/ml or more, or 1.5 mg/ml or more, or 2.0 mg/ml or more, or greater than 2 mg/ml, for example, of cocoa total polyphenols can be present in the cocoa water composition that is used, or diluted, into a final finished product.
  • filtering methods, the number of filtration steps used, the pH level used at points in the process, the temperature used at points in the process, the length of time spent at high temperatures, and concentration methods used can all effect, alone or in combination, the levels of these compounds or subsets of compounds in the purified cocoa water composition or in the final beverage composition.
  • Method for manipulating color, richness, and total polyphenols The efficiency of the filtration process is improved by heating the cocoa bean composition/water to about 200° F., letting it sit for 5 mins, flash cooling to 130° F., whereby the cocoa solids fall out of solution.
  • a filtration process using, for example a 10 micron or less filter, or a 6 micron filter to about 1 micron filter, and a press can efficiently produce a steeped cocoa beverage product. Varying the temperature of the steeping and adding an agitation or stirring method to the steeping can change the color, flavor and total polyphenol content.
  • a steeping temperature of 212° F. results in a bitter product.
  • cocoa polyphenols results in the highest levels of cocoa polyphenols, and higher shear stresses during stirring or agitation can all result in higher polyphenol content.
  • Approximately 85% of the total polyphenols can be made into the beverage product by a process at 170° F. for about 30 seconds mixing time.
  • a pink colored-product results when an aqueous solution of about pH 4 or below is used with a cocoa bean composition from an unroasted, unfermented cocoa bean, whereas the neutral or substantially neutral water produces a brown color.
  • Cocoa powder as natural cocoa powder, dutched cocoa powder, non-fat cocoa powder, defatted cocoa powder, and mixtures with no fermentation and/or no roasting or low roasting conditions for the cocoa beans of the cocoa powder can be selected, alone or in any combination of available cocoa powders, for any of the embodiment of the invention or the examples herein. As noted, about 3.5% cocoa powder in the brewing step is preferred, but concentrations as high as about 8% cocoa powder can be selected and used, as well as lower concentrations.
  • Tea type product may be added in the range of 10-50% of the final beverage.
  • One specific example uses about 20% cocoa water. Liquid fructose is added at 5.5%, sugar (sucrose) is added at 3% and antioxidant extracts or boosters, such as white tea or green tea extract, may be added at 0.02-0.05%.
  • the tea extract at about 0.1% creates an astringent, tea-type flavor.
  • black tea extract competes with the cocoa flavor and is not desirable.
  • White tea is preferred because of its bland flavor.
  • flavors or masking agents and sweetness enhancers may be added, and flavors or masking agent levels can be more important when the cocoa water content is above 10%, but may not be desired at 10% or less.
  • Citric acid is also preferred when combining the cocoa water with a citrus fruit extract or juice. Malic acid is preferred when stone fruit extracts or juices are used, such as pear, peach, or passion fruit.
  • a tea-type product may also be made using a concentrate. A cocoa concentrate made from a specific bench top concentrating unit can be used to make the tea-type product. In this case, 10% concentrate is used in the final beverage. The concentrate flavor profile is different then the cocoa water brew due to its lower astringency.
  • cocoa particles are desirable when using a benchtop concentrating unit (for example, Toddy Products; Houston, Tex.).
  • the tea-type product referred to here is especially useful in producing beverages with acceptable astringency levels and/or with low calorie levels, such as a 50-70 calorie 8 oz. drink.
  • a cocoa water can be used at about 2.7% in the final beverage. Cocoa water brew may also be made from unfermented beans, which provides a light pink colored beverage at pH below 4. Flavors may be added and antioxidant boosters or extracts or elixirs may be added. This product may be lightly sweetened using powdered fructose at 1.5%. One example employs the addition of a cocoa antioxidant elixir at a level ranging from about 0.5 to about 1%. The water may be acidified to below pH 4.0 and hot filled. Another example of a water-type product can be made from brewed cocoa nibs. Nibs are added to boiling water, brewed for 1-2 minutes and immediately filtered out using a filter screen.
  • Nibs at an optimum addition level is 2.5% weight/weight. Adding nibs at 5-7% level causes fat separation. Vanilla beans may be added to the nibs to obtain a unique chocolate-flavored water. Using different nibs from cacao beans grown in different regions of the world provide very different flavor profiles to the water.
  • the product may or may not be sweetened. A particular unsweetened product is a zero calorie product. In general, this unsweetened product cannot be acidified and a preferred production process will use an aseptic filling process.
  • Fruit cocktail type product in this example, cocoa water brew may be added at 18% of the final beverage. Liquid fructose at 3.3% and sugar (sucrose) at 1.2% is added to provide sweetness. Juice blends as concentrates may be added at different concentrations depending on specific functional benefits.
  • a product targeted towards heart health where the juice blend is a comprised of a blend of apple juice at 2%, black currant at 3%, and concord grape at 7%. Black currant is naturally high in Vit C.
  • a heart healthy vitamin blend comprised of 30% Vit E and C and 10% of B6, B12 and 10% potassium based upon the U.S. RDI is added.
  • Plant sterol extracts or preparations and/or reservatrol can also be added for heart health products, or where fruit pulp is present in the final beverage, such as in an orange juice or apple juice combination.
  • the juice blend may be changed to clarified orange juice at 4.5%, and juices such as white grape concentrate and apple at 2.35% and 2.46% respectively.
  • Vit E at 50%, Vit C at 100% and Zn at 10% may be added.
  • apple at 1.96%, white grape at 1.41%, and concord grape at 1.23% along with pomegranate at 1.97% is added.
  • choline may be added.
  • maintaining the juice level at about 40% can be important if an overall refreshing juice profile is desired. Additional examples of these beverages are noted below.
  • cocoa water may be used in the range of 30-50% of the final beverage, and preferred is 35%.
  • Liquid fructose is added at 9% and sugar (sucrose) added to 2%.
  • Brewed black tea or black tea extract is added for its antioxidant benefit as well as its flavor profile, which provides a complexity to the cocoa flavor.
  • a blend of energy providing vitamins, such as Vit B5, B3, B6 and B12 may be added, which is an energy blend commonly used in energy drinks available.
  • guarana can be added to add some caffeine or stimulant.
  • Caffeine is also present in the black tea and the cocoa brew.
  • slower-acting stimulants such as theobromine and theophylline
  • liquid fructose and sugar also provide a sustained energy release.
  • a preferred embodiment of this example employs standard carbonization procedures to produce a final product that is carbonated.
  • a cocoa water as described above in the light brew or rich brew can be used in combination with juices, extracts, concentrates, vitamins, minerals, and nutriceuticals to produce a beverage designed to maintain or improve heart health or atherosclerotic conditions.
  • a number of antioxidant containing products have suggested such a use in the past.
  • the combination of the cocoa antioxidants with other compounds adds additional health benefits.
  • the cocoa water (at about 30%-60% of total by weight) is combined with about 3% black currant concentrate or juice, about 2% cranberry concentrate or juice, and about 7% concord grape concentrate or juice.
  • the resulting beverage contains an RDI of vitamin E of 30%, vitamin C of 30%, vitamin B12 of 12%, vitamin B6 of 10%, and potassium of 10%.
  • the vitamins, amino acids, and minerals can be added as supplements, but some percentage can be provided through the fruit/berry juice or concentrate used.
  • a detoxifying beverage which can, for example, be consumed after strenuous exercise or other activities
  • the cocoa water (at about 30%-60% of total by weight) is combined with about 2.9% apple concentrate or juice, about 1.4% white grape concentrate or juice, about 2% pomegranate concentrate or juice, and about 1.2% concord grape concentrate or juice.
  • the resulting beverage contains an RDI of vitamin A of 30%, vitamin C of 30%, vitamin E of 30%, and contains L-arginine.
  • the vitamins, amino acids, and minerals can be added as supplements, but some percentage can be provided through the fruit/berry juice or concentrate used.
  • the cocoa water (at about 30%-60% of total by weight) is combined with about 3% apple concentrate or juice, about 2% concord grape concentrate or juice, about 1.4% pomegranate concentrate or juice, and about 2% white grape concentrate or juice.
  • the resulting beverage contains an RDI of vitamin A of 20%, vitamin C of 20%, vitamin E of 20%, and choline of 25%.
  • the beverage can also contain ginko bilabo and/or grape seed extract.
  • the vitamins and minerals can be added as supplements, but some percentage can be provided through the fruit/berry juice or concentrate used.
  • the cocoa water (at about 30% total by weight) is combined with about 4.5% orange concentrate or juice, about 2.4% apple concentrate or juice, and about 2.3% white grape concentrate or juice.
  • the resulting beverage contains an RDI of vitamin E of 50%, vitamin C of 100%, and potassium of 10%.
  • the beverage can also contain echinacea extract.
  • the vitamins and minerals can be added as supplements, but some percentage can be provided through the fruit/berry juice or concentrate used.

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US11/717,165 2006-03-13 2007-03-13 Steeped cocoa compositions and functional cocoa beverages made from them Abandoned US20080038409A1 (en)

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US14/462,027 US9241500B2 (en) 2006-03-13 2014-08-18 Steeped cocoa compositions and functional cocoa beverages made from them
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GR20150100396A (el) * 2015-09-11 2017-05-15 Γεωργιος Μιχαηλ Χατζημανωλης Ανθρακουχο ενισχυτικο αναψυκτικο
US20200069692A1 (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-03-05 Techmix, Llc Bovine supplement for neonatal calves
US11298357B2 (en) * 2018-08-30 2022-04-12 Techmix, Llc Bovine supplement for neonatal calves

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KR20080109773A (ko) 2008-12-17
BRPI0708877A2 (pt) 2011-06-14
MX2008011639A (es) 2008-09-23
JP2009529874A (ja) 2009-08-27
CA2645419C (fr) 2016-10-25
US20070254068A1 (en) 2007-11-01
CN101453912B (zh) 2013-06-12
CA2645419A1 (fr) 2007-09-20
WO2007106473A3 (fr) 2008-10-16
MX339835B (es) 2016-06-14
WO2007106473A2 (fr) 2007-09-20
WO2007106473B1 (fr) 2008-11-27
JP5174004B2 (ja) 2013-04-03
EP1998635A2 (fr) 2008-12-10
CN101453912A (zh) 2009-06-10
EP1998635A4 (fr) 2013-02-06
US7919135B2 (en) 2011-04-05

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