WO2021021514A1 - Thickened purees and method and system for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

This specification discloses sweetened edible compositions from fruits, vegetables or seeds, having a defined Bostwick viscosity. Also disclosed systems and methods of making such compositions by using a plurality of finishers dynamically operable to obtain a plurality of material streams having defined viscosities. The material streams may be further processed or mixed to obtain a composition having a defined Bostwick viscosity. Also disclosed are food products using the described edible compositions.

Description

THICKENED PUREES AND METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAKING SAME

[0001] This specification discloses systems, methods, and/or apparatuses for thickened fruit, vegetable or seed products made without the use of gums or stabilizers and more specifically sweetened products made without the use of gums or stabilizers and methods of making them.

[0002] Fruit, vegetable, and seeds (for convenience referred to in this specification as botanical material) can be mashed, ground, or pureed for use as standalone product edible composition or for use as ingredient in another food product. On commercial scale, it is common for such edible compositions to be pureed to have a standardized viscosity and be sold as purees having such standardized viscosity. Purees can then be adapted for uses by further processing or addition of other ingredients. Commonly, thicker edible composition (or thicker food products) are made by adding to the puree viscosity stabilizers or viscosity enhancers like gums (xanthan gum, acacia gum, etc.) or modified starches.

[0003] This specification, in contrast, discloses edible compositions, as well as systems, methods, and apparatuses for making the same, made from botanical sources that are thickened without use of gums or stabilizers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE FIGURES

[0004] The various technologies and embodiments thereof disclosed in this specification can be better understood with reference to following illustrative figures, which are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0005] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the process for making products as described in this specification.

[0006] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a finisher for use in the methods described in this specification.

[0007] Figure 3 plots viscosity versus shear of various fruit compositions.

[0008] Figure 4 plots the Bostwick viscosity of various sweetened fruit compositions.

[0009] Figure 5 is a schematic of an automated control system for producing products as described in this specification. [0010] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an automated control system for producing products including optional components.

[0011] The technology disclosed in this specification pertains to botanical material that has been mashed, ground, or pureed edible compositions. In any embodiment described in this specification, the edible composition may be made from any botanical material that has enough moisture to generate a puree (as defined herein by viscosity). In any embodiment the edible compositions described in this specification may be derived from berries (including but not limited to strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry), stone fruits (including but not limited to peaches, nectarines, and plums), pome fruits (including but not limited to apples and pears), and root vegetables (including but not limited to carrots and beets). In any embodiment the edible composition is derived from a strawberry or blueberry. In any embodiment described herein the edible composition is derived from beet or carrot.

[0012] In reading through this specification, knowledge of the following terms will be useful.

[0013] Use of“harmless extraneous material” in this specification means non-edible portions of plant material that typically accompany machine-harvested fruit or vegetables like sticks, seeds, stems, leaves, etc.

[0014] Use of "finisher" in this specification means a piece of equipment comprising a rotor shaft with brushes or paddles fixed thereto that spin rapidly inside a screen cage or other compartment. The finisher can be used to separate harmless extraneous material from desirable fruit material.

[0015] Use of“pomace” in this specification means the waste material fraction of the puree production process.

[0016] Within this specification edible compositions may be further described as a pulp, a puree, or a thickened puree, which are pureed botanical materials having differing thickness, and which, in this specification, can be described according to a Bostwick viscosity. Bostwick viscosity is a commonly used measurement in the art and is generally used to measure the flow rate of a substance. Within this specification Bostwick viscosity results report the distance a material moves through a Bostwick consistometer over 30 seconds. As is conventional, Bostwick viscosities are reported using only the distance traveled: the less distance a material travels, the thicker it is.

[0017] Within this specification pulps have a Bostwick viscosity of from about 1 cm to about 4 cm, or less than about 2 cm.

[0018] Within this specification purees have a Bostwick viscosity from about 10 cm to about 20 cm and viscosity within the range, for example any puree described in this specification may have a Bostwick viscosity of about 11 cm, or about 12 cm, or about 13 cm, or about 14 cm, or about 15, cm, or about 16, cm, or about 17, cm, or about 18 cm, or about 19 cm. In any embodiment, a puree described in this specification has a Bostwick viscosity of about 10 to about 15 cm.

[0019] Within this specification thickened purees have a Bostwick viscosity about 5 cm to about 9 cm, or about 7 cm.

[0020] The technology disclosed in this specification pertains to systems, methods, and/or apparatuses for making edible compositions such as pulps, purees and thickened purees. In any embodiment disclosed in this specification, a thickened puree is obtained by mixing a pulp with a puree, and an illustrative method is described in the flow chart depicted in Figure 1. With reference to Figure 1, in a step (10) botanical material, for example fruit, is introduced into a feed hopper. Fruit may be introduced in any form useful for grinding to form a fruit puree. As an illustrative example, fruit may be introduced as whole fruit or in pieces, or mixtures thereof. In another illustrative example fruit may be introduced in frozen form or non-frozen form. The feed hopper may aid in removing harmless extraneous material that are mixed with the fruit and introduced into the hopper. In a step (11) fruit (and harmless extraneous material not removed by the hopper) are ground to form a fruit mash or input stream (A), which is an essentially a uniform mass made by crushing the fruit. The fruit may be ground or crushed using any machine commonly used in the art for such purpose, including for example, but not limited to grinders, hammermills, and disintegrators.

[0021] In a step (12) the fruit mash is passed through a first finisher to make at least two streams of material. In any embodiment described in this specification, a finisher in step (12) makes a primary stream (B) and a secondary stream (C). In any embodiment a primary stream (B), as described in this specification, is a retained product stream. Primary stream (B) may be further processed by one or more of homogenization, pasteurization, mixing and packaging, or other process to obtain a more uniform and/or smaller particle size. Primary stream (B) may have any desired viscosity. In any embodiment described in this specification, primary stream (B) has a Bostwick viscosity of from about 1 cm to about 20 cm, or from about 1 to about 4 cm or from about 5 to about 9 cm or from about 10 to about 15 cm or for from about 10 to about 20 cm. In any embodiment a secondary stream (C), as described in this specification, is a retained stream that is subject to further finishing.

[0022] Referring again to Figure 1, in a step (13) a secondary stream (C) is passed through a second finisher to make a tertiary stream (D) and quaternary stream (E). In any embodiment a tertiary stream may be thought of as the primary stream of the second finisher and the quaternary stream may be thought of as the secondary stream of the second finisher. In any embodiment a tertiary stream (D), as described in this specification is a retained stream that is not subjected to further finishing. Tertiary stream (D) may be further processed by one or more homogenization, pasteurization, mixing and packaging. Tertiary stream (D) may have any desired viscosity, for example a Bostwick viscosity of from about 1 cm to about 20 cm, or from about 1 to about 4 cm or from about 5 to about 10 cm or from about 10 to about 15 cm or for from about 10 to about 20 cm. In any embodiment a quaternary stream (E), as described in this specification, may be a retained stream that is fed through a third finisher or may be discarded as waste material (see, e.g., a step (15) of disposing waste material). In any embodiment described in this specification, a quaternary stream (E) may be pomace. Additional sequential finishers with attended streams are also possible as desired.

[0023] In any embodiment described in this specification, a primary stream (B) and a tertiary stream (D) may be recovered as finished product. In any embodiment described in this specification a primary stream (B) and a tertiary stream (D) may be mixed in an optional step (14) to form a thickened puree (F). Thickened puree (F) may then be further processed by one or more of homogenizing, pasteurizing, mixing, and packaging.

[0024] In any embodiment described in this specification, the viscosity of any stream is controlled by the configuration or operation of one or more finishers. In any embodiment, as described in this specification, a method for making a thickened puree may use more than one finisher, which may be of the same or different types or may be configured the same or differently. Illustrative finishers are commercially available from Bertocchi Sri (Parma, Italy). In any embodiment a finisher described in this specification is configured as described in Figure 2. With reference to Figure 2, finisher (20) comprises a rotor shaft (21) with affixed brushes or paddles (22). The rotor shaft is driven by a motor (27) and resides in a cylindrical screen (23). The screen separates finer material from coarser material. During operation the brushes or paddles are rotated inside the cylinder to grind, mash, or puree the material within and force such material through the screen. In any embodiment, a finisher, as described in this specification, further comprises at least one input (24) and at least two outputs, a first output (25) and a second output (26). In an illustrative embodiment, primary stream (B) flows through a first output (25) of the finisher, and a secondary stream (C) flows through a second output (26) of the finisher.

[0025] In any embodiment described in this specification, the viscosity of a stream is modified by use of screens of different sized mesh. In any embodiment described in this specification, a finisher includes a screen having mesh size of about 0.020 inches to about 0.200 (from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm) inches, or from about 0.030 to about 0.060 inches (about 0.7 to about 1.5 mm) , or about 0.030 inches and about 0.040 inches (about 0.7 to about 1 mm), or from about 0.025 inches to about 0.035 inches (0.6 to about 0.9 mm). In any embodiment disclosed in this specification a first finisher has a cylindrical screen of larger mesh size than a second finisher. In any embodiment disclosed in this specification, a first finisher has a cylindrical screen of smaller mesh than a second finisher. In any embodiment disclosed in this specification, a first finisher is configured so that the material flowing through the screen is collected as the primary stream, and the material retained in the cylinder is retained as a secondary stream. In such embodiments increasing screen mesh size results in the primary stream having more solids content and more Bostwick viscosity.

[0026] In any embodiment described in this specification, the viscosity of a stream is modified by changes in operation of one or more finishers. With reference to Figure 3, the Figure plots the viscosity (Pa.s) for strawberry material (pulp or puree) versus increasing shear. As shown, the viscosity of both strawberry pulp and strawberry puree decreases as shear increases. In any embodiment described in this specification, the viscosity of a stream can be modified by increasing the rotation viscosity of the rotor shaft within a finisher to increase the shear applied to material within the finisher. In any embodiment a first or second finisher operates to impart a shear to a material within the cylindrical mesh of from about 100,000 to about 1,000,000 s In various embodiments an edible composition having a Bostwick viscosity of from about 10 to about 20 cm is obtained by applying a shear of from about 100,000 to about 400,000 s or from about 250,000 to about 300,000 s^-1. In various embodiments an edible composition having a Bostwick viscosity of less than about 10 cm is obtained by applying a shear of from 500,000 to about 1,000,000 s^-1.

[0027] In any embodiment described in this specification, the rotational velocity of a first finisher can be altered to obtain a desired viscosity of a secondary finisher’s output. In any embodiment described within this specification, a first finisher can be run at high rotational velocity to produce a primary stream having low viscosity and a secondary stream having increased solids content and the higher viscosity secondary stream can then be further processed by a secondary finisher. In such embodiments the primary stream output of the first finisher and the primary stream output of the second finisher may be obtained as final products having different defined viscosities.

[0028] In any embodiment a system of finishers may be linked and subject to a unified control mechanism which includes at least a means for measuring a viscosity or flow rate of one or more streams from one or more finishers. In any embodiment, described in this specification, a means for measuring viscosity may be an inline viscometer. In any embodiment, described in this specification a means for measuring flow rate may be an inline flow meter. In any embodiment, described in this specification, an inline flow meter may measure the input to one or more of the finishers and the output from one or more of the finishers. In any embodiment described in this specification, based on the measured viscosity or the measured flow rate, a control means may adjust the rotational velocity of one or more of the finishers to adjust the viscosity of the various streams. In any embodiment a control means be a microprocess. In any embodiment a control means dynamically adjusts the rotation velocity.

[0029] In any embodiment the method further comprises measuring one or more of the inline viscosity or inline flow rate of a material stream to determine if the viscosity of the stream is within desired parameters and adjusting the operation of a finisher to alter the viscosity of the first stream to bring its viscosity the desired parameters. [0030] In any embodiment, this specification describes a method comprising measuring one or more of the inline viscosity or inline flow rate of a first material stream to determine if the viscosity of the first material stream is within desired parameters and if not, adjusting the operation of a finisher to alter the viscosity of a second material stream to bring the viscosity of the first stream within the desired parameters.

[0031] In any embodiment, the shear that a finishers provides to a material within can be adjusted manually based readouts from an inline viscometer or in flow meter or combination thereof or can be adjusted by use of a computer or other processing means capable of receiving flow rate or viscosity information from one or more material streams. The above described adjustments can be dynamically, per batch, after defined periods of operation, or otherwise made as needed.

[0032] The present technology related to systems, methods, and/or apparatuses for producing thickened botanical outputs is shown by way of an exemplary schematic in Figure 5. The Figure shows exemplary or illustrative components of a system and/or method to produce at least first and second streams having different viscosities that can be combined to provide a combined product that has a higher viscosity than a puree produced by a single finisher. As will be understood, according to any embodiment, a first and second stream are produced separately, and then blended in measured quantities to achieve a viscosity within a target or desired range.

[0033] With respect to Figure 5, the system (30) includes at least some similar components and/or steps as that shown and described with respect to Figure 1. Raw fruit or vegetables are introduced, such as by way of a feed hopper (32). The material is fed, such as by way of an auger or by gravity (33), to a mechanism (34) for comminution into a mash. Comminution is the reduction of solid materials from one average particle size to a smaller average particle size, by crushing, grinding, cutting, vibrating, or other processes. In any embodiment described in this specification, the mash is moved by a pump (36) through a first flow meter (38) and towards a first finisher (40). In any of the embodiments described in this specification, the pump (36) is a positive displacement pump controlled by a first variable frequency drive (37), also referred to as a motor control. A positive displacement pump makes a fluid move by trapping a fixed amount and forcing (displacing) that trapped volume into the discharge pipe. Non-limiting examples of positive displacement pumps for use in any of the embodiments described in this specification include rotary lobe pumps, progressive cavity pumps, rotary gear pumps, piston pumps, diaphragm pumps, screw pumps, gear pumps, hydraulic pumps, rotary vane pumps, peristaltic pump, rope pumps, and flexible impeller pumps.

[0034] The variable frequency drive (37) is a type of adjustable-speed drive used in electro mechanical drive systems to control AC motor speed and torque by varying motor input frequency and voltage. It is to be appreciated that the drive may also be referred to or otherwise known as an adjustable-frequency drive, variable-voltage/variable frequency drive, variable speed drive, AC drive, micro drive, or inverter drive.

[0035] In any embodiment described in this specification, the flow meter (38) is a device that is used to measure and track (i.e., quantify) bulk fluid movement. In any embodiment described in this specification, the flow meter may be of any type known and used, including, but not limited to mechanical-based, pressure-based, variable-area, optical, open-channel, electronic, sonar-based, or the like.

[0036] The first finisher (40) receives the mash that has been comminuted and pumped through the flow meter (38). Illustrative finishers are commercially available from Bertocchi Sri (Parma, Italy). In any embodiment described in this specification, the first finisher may be of the type shown and described with respect to Figure 2, wherein the finisher (40) comprises a rotor shaft (21) with affixed brushes or paddles (22). The finisher (40) is connected to and controlled by a second variable frequency drive or motor controller (41), which provides electrical power and control to the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft resides in a cylindrical screen (23). The screen separates finer material from coarser material. During operation, the brushes or paddles are rotated inside the cylinder to grind, mash, or puree the material within and force such material through the screen. In any embodiment, a finisher, as described in this specification, further comprises at least one input (24) and at least two outputs, a first output (25) and a second output (26). In an illustrative embodiment, primary stream (B) flows through a first output (25) of the finisher, and a secondary stream (C) flows through a second output (26) of the first finisher (40).

[0037] The primary stream (B) is directed towards a balance tank (42). A balance tank is a vessel that keeps product at a constant level above a pump inlet, such as for the second positive displacement pump (44). Thus, according to an illustrative embodiment, the balance tank will receive the puree via the first finisher (40) to maintain the level of the puree being fed into the second positive displacement pump (44). According to any embodiment described in the present description, the second positive displacement pump is electronically connected to and controlled by a fourth variable frequency drive or control (45).

[0038] According to any embodiment described in the specification, the second positive displacement pump (44) moves or otherwise directs the primary stream (B), the puree in an illustrative embodiment, towards a first pressure gauge (46), viscometer (48), or second flow meter (50). As will be understood, the first pressure gauge (46), viscometer (48), or second flow meter (50) can be used to aid in controlling the system in an open or closed loop manner in order to obtain and/or maintain a desired viscosity for the primary stream (B). Pressure gauges are used to measure positive pressure. Viscometers measure the viscosity of a fluid. Thus, according to any embodiment described in the specification a measurement is taken by the first pressure gauge (46), viscometer (48), or second flow meter (50) of the primary stream (B), which is also the low-viscosity puree (52) according to an illustrative embodiment.

[0039] With further reference to Figure 5, according to any embodiment of the specification, the secondary stream (C) that has flowed through a second output (26) of the first finisher (40) is directed towards a second finisher (54). According to an illustrative embodiment, the secondary stream (C) comprises a higher viscosity mix of material than the puree leaving the first finisher (40). The second finisher (54) may be of any of the types disclosed in the present specification. According to any embodiment described in the specification, the second finisher (54) include an input (56), a first output (58) and a second output (60). The input (56) is where the secondary stream (C) enters the second finisher (54). The operation of the second finisher (54) is controlled by a third variable frequency drive (55). The control from the third variable frequency drive (55) allows for variations to the finishing by the second finisher (54), such that, along with varying the screen size, allows for variation to a rotational velocity of the shaft and/or flow rate into the finisher of the material to adjust the viscosity of outputs.

[0040] The second finisher (54) further includes a first output (58) for a tertiary stream (D), and a second output (60) for a quaternary stream (E) of material. As included in the specification, the quaternary stream (E) of material leaving the second finisher can be pomace and other waster material that is moved to a waste disposal (62). The amount of pomace disposed can be adjusted, in part, by the operation of one or both of the first and second finishers, which change the viscosities and/or makeups of the secondary, tertiary, and/or quaternary streams based upon said operations.

[0041] According to any embodiment described in the specification, material in the tertiary stream (D) exiting the second finisher via the first output (58) is moved towards and through a second balance tank (64) and into and through a third positive displacement pump (66). A fifth variable frequency drive (67) is electronically connected to the third positive displacement pump (66) to provide power and control thereto. The third positive displacement pump (66) moves the tertiary stream (D), which may be referred to as a pulp, towards, through, and/or past a second pressure gauge (68), a second viscometer (70), and/or a third flow meter (72). As will be understood, the second pressure gauge (68), second viscometer (70), or third flow meter (72) can be used to aid in controlling the system in an open or closed loop manner in order to obtain and/or maintain a desired viscosity for the tertiary stream (D). Pressure gauges are used to measure positive pressure. Viscometers measure the viscosity of a fluid. Thus, according to any embodiment described in the specification a measurement is taken by second pressure gauge (68), second viscometer (70), or third flow meter (72) of the tertiary stream (D), which is also the higher- viscosity puree (74), according to an illustrative embodiment.

[0042] Thus, the system 30 of Figure 5 provides a way to input raw fruit or vegetables and to acquire a low-viscosity puree (52), a higher- viscosity puree (74), and waste material (62). The purees can be blended to achieve a thickened puree, which can be processed by one or more of homogenization, pasteurization, mixing and packaging. In addition, either of, and/or both of the low-viscosity puree and higher- viscosity puree can, prior to blending, be processed by one or more of homogenization, pasteurization, mixing and packaging. The terms "low-viscosity puree" and "higher-viscosity puree" can be measured, for purposes of the disclosed specification, in terms of Bostwick viscosity.

[0043] Within this specification "higher-viscosity purees" have a Bostwick viscosity of from about 1 cm to about 4 cm, or less than about 2 cm.

[0044] Within this specification "low-viscosity purees" have a Bostwick viscosity from about 10 cm to about 20 cm and viscosity within the range, for example any low- viscosity puree described in this specification may have a Bostwick viscosity of about 11 cm, or about 12 cm, or about 13 cm, or about 14 cm, or about 15, cm, or about 16, cm, or about 17, cm, or about 18 cm, or about 19 cm. In any embodiment, a low- viscosity puree described in this specification has a Bostwick viscosity of about 10 to about 15 cm.

[0045] Within this specification thickened purees have a Bostwick viscosity about 5 cm to about 9 cm, or about 7 cm.

[0046] The system (30) shown and described may be an open -loop system or a closed-loop system. According to any embodiment described in the specification, when the system is an open-loop system, the first finisher (40) and the second finisher (54) can be set at known parameters (e.g., rotational velocity of the rotor shafts and/or flowrate of material into the finishers) or can be physically adjusted (e.g., changing the hole size of a screen and/or changing the gap between the paddles and the screen) based upon known or empirical data to obtain desired outputs for the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary streams. This can be set to achieve or substantially achieve desired Bostwick viscosities for any of the output streams based upon known information, such as but not limited to, type of input material (e.g., fresh or frozen, type of material, etc.) and operating conditions. Such an open-loop system allows a user to simply set the conditions and input the material and to let the system operate to achieve the separate streams, as well as any blended streams of thickened puree.

[0047] Alternatively, the system (30) could be a dynamically operated, closed-loop system. A closed-loop system differs from an open-loop system in that its feedback plays into the operational parameters of the system, and the feedback can alter or modify any of the modifiable controls to attempt to obtain and maintain a desired output, or at least an output within a desired range. A closed-loop control system looks at the current output and alters it to the desired condition; also known as a feedback system, the control action in these systems is based on the output.

[0048] For example, in an illustrative embodiment, the system (30) will utilize the sensors incorporated, which are the pressure gauges, viscometers, and/or flow meters, to determine an output (e.g., Bostwick viscosity of one or more streams) and to update the operating parameters of the system in order to achieve desired outputs (e.g., Bostwick viscosities) for one or more of the streams, in an effort to efficiently provide a blended material of combined streams having a desired Bostwick viscosity. [0049] According to an exemplary and illustrative embodiment, the first viscometer (48) and second viscometer (70) are used in the automated and closed-loop system. Viscosity measurements are taken at the location of the viscometers in Figure 5, which may be referred to as at VI and V2. The measurements allow the character of both streams to be monitored so that adjustments can be introduced automatically or manually as necessary. This adjustment can be realized by utilizing in-line viscometers for the primary output of both finishers ((B) and (D) in Figure 5), then using the measured viscosity of the second finisher’s primary output (D) to adjust the first finisher’s variable frequency drive (41). In this way, if the viscosity of the secondary finisher’s output (D) rises unnecessarily high, the rotational speed of the first finisher (40) can be reduced, decreasing its efficiency and allowing an increased portion of the lower viscosity fraction to enter the secondary finisher (54), reducing the total viscosity of its output. The reverse can also be carried out if necessary. The viscometer (48) on the puree output (B) of the first finisher (40) can be used to establish lower limit parameters, to ensure the primary puree stream (B) does not run excessively thin to the point of jeopardizing quality.

[0050] Other manners of monitoring the relative viscosities of the outputs include using either or both of the flow meters and/or pressure gauges. For example, pressure measurements by the first pressure gauge (46) and second pressure gauge (68) while the second pump (44) and third pump (66) operate at known flowrates (e.g., taken from the second flow meter (50) and third flow meter (72), respectively) will allow the statistically-driven estimate of viscosities once a body of data has been collected on each specific material.

[0051] In addition, according to any of the embodiments described in the specification, another manner of automated control can be realized by using the inline flow meters, e.g, first and second flow meters (50), (72), at the output of both finishers and an inline flow meter (38) for the ground fruit mash set to totalize over fixed time intervals and report the % volume distribution between the various outputs. With periodic operator checks and changes to adjust for variation in the raw fruit, this should allow a reasonable way to control final product viscosity without blending.

[0052] Once the sensors (e.g., flow meters, pressure gauges, and/or viscometers) have been set up and in operation, the measurements can be utilized to operate the system in an automated, closed-loop manner. This involves changing the viscosities of one or both of the primary stream (B) from the first finisher (40) and/or the tertiary stream (D) from the second finisher (54). According to any embodiment described in the specification, to raise the viscosity of the tertiary stream (D), the shear rate and/or residence time in the first finisher (40) is reduced by either raising the speed of the first positive displacement pump (36) or lowering the frequency of the second variable frequency drive (41). The second finisher (54) can raise viscosity by elevating the frequency of the third variable frequency drive (55). To reduce the viscosity of the tertiary stream (D), the inverse actions are taken.

[0053] The closed-loop, dynamically controlled system (30) provides an approach to viscosity selection, which means that as the required final, blended puree viscosity rises, the fraction of suitable material from the input stream decreases. By tracking flow rates and totalizing at the first flow meter (38), the second flow meter (50), and the third flow meter (72), the fractional distribution of the raw material in the puree stream (B), the thickened puree stream (D), and the pomace stream (E) can be determined at any point, and the relative value and impact of adjusting viscosity in either of the two product streams can be considered holistically. Further, this information can be used to relate specific final viscosities to defined volumes of input material, allowing logical development of a pricing structure.

[0054] With reference now to Figure 6, additional and optional components of the system (30) are shown, which may be part of any of the embodiments described in the specification. A human-machine interface, HMI (80), can be an integral part of the system, or can be housed generally as part of any computer and/or processing device. Non-limiting examples of such a device may be central processing units alone or in tablets, telephones, handheld devices, laptops, user displays, or generally any other computing device capable of allowing input, providing options, and showing output of electronic functions. A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor or main processor, is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions. Still further examples include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device and a memory. The controller also can include other components and can be implemented partially or entirely on a semiconductor (e.g., a field-programmable gate array ("FPGA")) chip, such as a chip developed through a register transfer level ("RTL") design process. [0055] The HMI (80) may incorporate a display, which may be informational or allow for inputs, such as a user interface (UI) or a graphical user interface (GUI). A user interface is how the user interacts with a machine. The user interface can be a digital interface, a command-line interface, a graphical user interface ("GUI") or any other way a user can interact with a machine. For example, the user interface ("UI") can include a combination of digital and analog input and/or output devices or any other type of UI input/output device required to achieve a desired level of control and monitoring for a device. Examples of input and/or output devices include computer mice, keyboards, touchscreens, knobs, dials, switches, buttons, etc. Input(s) received from the UI can then be sent to a microcontroller to control operational aspects of a device.

[0056] The user interface module can include a display, which can act as an input and/or output device. More particularly, the display can be a liquid crystal display ("LCD"), a light- emitting diode ("LED") display, an organic LED ("OLED") display, an electroluminescent display ("ELD"), a surface-conduction electron emitter display ("SED"), a field-emission display ("FED"), a thin-film transistor ("TFT") LCD, a bistable cholesteric reflective display (i.e., e- paper), etc. The user interface also can be configured with a microcontroller to display conditions or data associated with the main device in real-time or substantially real-time.

[0057] According to any of the embodiments described in the specification, the HMI (80) may also include or otherwise be operatively connected to a memory, which can store data associated with the system (30). Such data can be used to operate the system in the dynamically variable manner to include past information and tables, such that the system could "look up" past data to more efficiently operate. The memory includes, in some embodiments, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as read-only memory ("ROM", an example of non-volatile memory, meaning it does not lose data when it is not connected to a power source) or random access memory ("RAM", an example of volatile memory, meaning it will lose its data when not connected to a power source). Some additional examples of volatile memory include static RAM ("SRAM"), dynamic RAM ("DRAM"), synchronous DRAM ("SDRAM"), etc. Additional examples of non-volatile memory include electrically erasable programmable read only memory ("EEPROM"), flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, etc. In some embodiments, the processing unit, such as a processor, a microprocessor, or a microcontroller, is connected to the memory and executes software instructions that are capable of being stored in a RAM of the memory (e.g., during execution), a ROM of the memory (e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc.

[0058] The HMI (80), whether separate or integral with the system (30), could be powered in many ways. The power supply outputs a particular voltage to a device or component or components of a device. The power supply could be a DC power supply (e.g., a battery), an AC power supply, a linear regulator, etc. The power supply can be configured with a microcontroller to receive power from other grid-independent power sources, such as a generator or solar panel. With respect to batteries, a dry cell battery [or a wet cell battery] may be used. Additionally, the battery may be rechargeable, such as a lead-acid battery, a low self-discharge nickel metal hydride battery (LSD-NiMH) battery, a nickel-cadmium battery (NiCd), a lithium-ion battery, or a lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery. Careful attention should be taken if using a lithium-ion battery or a LiPo battery to avoid the risk of unexpected ignition from the heat generated by the battery. While such incidents are rare, they can be minimized via appropriate design, installation, procedures and layers of safeguards such that the risk is acceptable.

[0059] The power supply may also include an emergency stop feature, also known as a "kill switch," to shut off the machinery in an emergency or any other safety mechanisms known to prevent injury to users of the system. The emergency stop feature or other safety mechanisms may need user input or may use automatic sensors to detect and determine when to take a specific course of action for safety purposes.

[0060] According to any of the embodiments described in the specification, one or more alerts could be included, either as part of the HMI (80) or separately connected to the components of the system. The alerts could be in the form of audio, visual, tactile, or some combination thereof, and could also include varying levels of alerts up to and including a self-kill-switch to end operation of the system upon detection of a condition outside of set operating parameters. The parameters could be dependent upon the type of botanical material in the system (30), such that the HMI (80) or other component could be set based upon the botanical material to set the alerts.

[0061] According to any of the embodiments described in the specification, the HMI (80), as well as any of the components thereof, could be integral with the system, or could be standalone and separate. In either sense, one or more components of the HMI (80) could include network/communication components and protocol to allow for the transfer of information related to the system (30) to be communicated among and outside of the components of the system. This could include transfer of information to a central network of servers or other memory that stores particular operating information for later review and use. The information could also be transferred to one or more remote devices to allow for remote monitoring of the operation of the system without the need to be physically present. The information could also be utilized for fine-tuning of the operation of one or more sub-operations of the system to aid in increasing the efficiency of the system. Still further, it is contemplated that the HMI (80) or one or more of the remote locations include machine-learning to allow the closed-loop, dynamically controlled system to self-improve.

[0062] According to any of the embodiments described in the specification, the network is, by way of example only, a wide area network ("WAN") such as a TCP/IP based network or a cellular network, a local area network ("LAN"), a neighborhood area network ("NAN"), a home area network ("HAN"), or a personal area network ("PAN") employing any of a variety of communications protocols, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, near field communication ("NFC"), etc., although other types of networks are possible and are contemplated herein. The network typically allows communication between the communications module and the central location during moments of low-quality connections. Communications through the network can be protected using one or more encryption techniques, such as those techniques provided in the IEEE 802.1 standard for port-based network security, pre-shared key, Extensible Authentication Protocol ("EAP"), Wired Equivalent Privacy ("WEP"), Temporal Key Integrity Protocol ("TKIP"), Wi-Fi Protected Access ("WPA"), and the like.

[0063] According to any of the embodiments described in the specification, a device, such as the HMI (80) could include one or more communications ports such as Ethernet, serial advanced technology attachment ("SATA"), universal serial bus ("USB"), or integrated drive electronics ("IDE"), for transferring, receiving, or storing data.

[0064] With further reference to Figure 6, the system (30) shows additional components that are connected, either electrically or by way of a transfer of communication, such as in the form of operating instructions that are constantly updated based upon the feedback of the closed-loop, dynamically controlled system. According to any of the embodiments described in the specification, the HMI (80) is connected to the system. It is noted that the dashed lines around the HMI (80) in Figure 6 indicate that the HMI could be integral with the system (30) or physically separate but electronically connected.

[0065] According to any of the embodiments described in the specification, Figure 5 further includes additional components that are electronically connected to one another. For example, the variable frequency drives (VFDs) are shown as being connected each to the HMI, sensors, finishers, and pumps. The number of VFDs may vary depending upon the number of components needing drive control for a particular system, and therefore, the indication VFD_N is given to provide any number of VFDs. As noted, the VFDs provide motor control to the components, such as the finishers and pumps, based upon any of the feedback from the sensors and/or inputs of the HMI to provide the desired output for the controlled components.

[0066] According to any of the embodiments described in the specification, sensors are included to provide measurements and feedback for the system (30). The sensors can take many forms, including, but not limited to, viscometers, flow meters, pressure gauges, and the like. The number and placement of the sensors can vary and is not to be limiting to the technology.

[0067] According to any of the embodiments described in the specification, a number of finishers are included. The number of finishers can vary depending on the number and/or types of inputs, as well as the number of desired streams and the make-up thereof. Therefore, the finishers are included as Finisheri, Finisher₂, and Finisher_N, wherein the N means any number.

[0068] According to any of the embodiments described in the specification, a number of pumps are included. As stated, according to at least some embodiments, the pumps are positive displacement pumps that are used to move the material towards, through, and from the various components of the system (30). The number of pumps can vary depending on the number and/or types of inputs, as well as the number of desired streams and the make-up thereof. Therefore, the pumps are included as Pumpi, Pump₂, and Pump_N, wherein the N means any number.

[0069] Therefore, an exemplary embodiment includes the following method. Botanical material is introduced to the system, such as by way of a comminution apparatus. The comminuted material is pumped to a first finisher. The first finisher shears the material and separates the sheared material into two outputs, one for a low-viscosity puree, and another into a higher viscosity pulp. The pulp is introduced to another finisher, where shearing occurs, and the sheared pulp is separated into pomace for waste, and a thickened puree having a higher viscosity than the low-viscosity puree from the first finisher. The thickened puree is selectively blended into the low-viscosity puree to thicken the same to achieve a finished product of desired viscosity and consistency, which can be selectively pasteurized, packaged, and/or stored.

[0070] One or more sensors in the form of viscometers, flow meters, and/or pressure gauges are included to monitor the viscosity of the low-viscosity puree and the thickened puree from the first and second finishers. The measured viscosities are compared to desired ranges/parameters to determine if the viscosities need be modified for blending to achieve the desired consistency and viscosity. Based upon the measurements, one or more of the operating parameters of the finishers can be modified to bring the streams within the desired ranges. The flow rates and/or pressure gauges can also provide measurements to determine how much of a product is being moved through the system and how much output is being acquired to determine if too much product is being disposed or passed via the streams, wherein adjustments and/or modifications can be made in the system to dynamically alter the process on the fly in a real-time manner.

[0071] Thus, according to any embodiments of the specification, the technology provides for a dynamically variable and modifiable system to update, either manually or automatically, operating parameters to achieve stream outputs of desired make-up for a future use, such as blending, combining, or adding with another product.

[0072] The present technology pertains to sweetened fruit, vegetable or seed compositions thickened using material from the same botanical source. In any embodiment describe in this specification a fruit, vegetable, or seed composition is a thickened puree. In any embodiment a thickened fruit puree, as described in this specification has Bostwick viscosity of from about 5 to about 9 cm, or from about 6 cm to about 8 cm, or about 7 cm.

[0073] In any embodiment described in this specification, a fruit puree is sweetened with any suitable sweetener, including but not limited to, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, or sucrose. In any embodiment described in this specification a thickened puree is sweetened with sucrose. In any embodiment, a thickened puree as described in this specification, comprise sucrose in an amount of from about 20% to about 80% by weight or from about 30% to about 70% or from about 30% to about 60% or from 30% to about 50%. In any embodiment, a thickened puree as described in this specification, comprise sucrose in an amount of from about 35% to about 45%.

[0074] In any embodiment a sweetened thickened puree, as described in this specification, comprises a pulp. In any embodiment, a pulp, as described in this specification has Bostwick viscosity of about 1 cm, or about 2 cm, or from about 1 cm to about 4 cm.

[0075] In any embodiment a sweetened, thickened puree, as described in this specification is made in a process comprising mixing a pulp with enough sucrose to obtain a thickened puree having a desired viscosity. In any embodiment a method of making a sweetened, thickened puree, as described in this specification, comprises mixing a pulp with of from about 20% to about 80% by weight or from about 30% to about 70% or from about 30% to about 60% or from 30% to about 50%. In any embodiment, a method for making a thickened puree as described in this specification, comprise mixing pulp with sucrose in an amount of from about 35% to about 45%.

[0076] With reference to Figure 4, the Figure depicts the Bostwick viscosity of various sweetened and unsweetened fruit compositions. As shown addition of sucrose to a puree causes the puree’s Bostwick viscosity to drop such that to obtain a sweetened, thickened puree having Bostwick viscosity of about 7 without the use of gums or starch, sugar must be added to a starting material having much higher viscosity than the desired end viscosity. In various embodiments a sweetened fruit composition is comprises a sweetener capable of causing water to diffuse from pureed fruit material, the fruit material having a moisture content of no more than about 90%, or from about 85% to about 90%.

[0077] The technology described in this specification also pertains to food composition including an edible composition as described in this specification and a second ingredient. Suitable second ingredients may be any second ingredient useful in a food composition and may include sweeteners, such as sucrose, fructose, glucose, or a rare sugar such as allulose or tagatose, sweeteners also include rebaudisides, erythritol, steviol glycosides or honey or other suitable sweeteners. Sweeteners may be used in powder form or may be used as syrups including high fructose corn syrup. [0078] Other suitable second ingredients for use in a food composition include a protein for example a plant-based protein, which may be provided as powder form and may have varying protein content. Plant-based proteins frequently come in the form of powdered composition concentrated to have a desired protein content. Some common protein powdered compositions have protein content of about 20 to about 40% by weight of the composition, others may have protein content of about 40 and about 70% by weight of the composition, still others may have protein content of about 70% to about 95% by weight of the composition. Plant protein may also be provided in liquid form (a liquid composition) comprising a soluble protein, such liquid compositions may have useful emulsifying properties. Protein may be provided from various plant sources. Suitable plant sources include pea, chick pea, lentil, fava bean, and quinoa.

[0079] Still other suitable second ingredients may be a cellulosic materials, or emulsifiers, or gum or other rheology adjusting compounds. Acidulants may also be used as a second ingredient, or aqueous compositions, or water.

[0080] In any embodiment an edible composition may be a fruit filling or fruit preparation useful in fruit on the bottom type yogurts or similar products.

[0081] Technology described in this specification may also be described by the following non limiting aspects.

[0082] In a first aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to an edible composition comprising: (a) a puree of botanical, and (b) a sweetener, which is optionally used in an amount of from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the composition or from about 30% to about 70% or from about 30% to about 60% or from 30% to about 50%, or from about 35% to about 45%, and which is optionally sucrose wherein the composition has a Bostwick viscosity of from 5 to 9 cm; wherein the composition does not comprise a gum or a starch component.

[0083] In a second aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the edible composition of the first aspect and consists essentially of, or, optionally, consists of: the puree and the sweetener.

[0084] In a third aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to edible composition of the first and second aspects made in a process comprising mixing with sucrose a fruit, vegetable or seed pulp, or mixture thereof, the pulp having a Bostwick viscosity of from about 1 to about 4 cm and allowing water to diffuse from the pulp to obtain the puree having Bostwick viscosity of from 5 to 9 cm.

[0085] In a fourth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the edible composition of any one of the first to third aspects wherein the puree is from a botanical material selected from the group consisting of berries, stone fruit, pome fruit, and root vegetables, or optionally wherein berries consists of the group consisting of strawberry and blueberry, and wherein root vegetable consists of the group consisting of carrot and beet, and mixtures thereof.

[0086] In a fifth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification the edible composition of any one of the first to fourth aspects wherein the puree has a moisture content of no more than about 90% (w/w).

[0087] In a sixth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to a food composition comprising the edible composition of any one of the first to fifth aspects and a second ingredient; wherein, optionally, the food composition is a fruit filling or fruit preparation.

[0088] In a seventh aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to a method for making an edible composition comprising: introducing a botanical material to a first finisher to produce a first stream of material and a second stream of material; moving the second stream of material to a second finisher to produce a third stream of material and a fourth stream of material; measuring an aspect of at least the first stream of material and the third stream of material; and dynamically adjusting the first finisher or the second finisher based on the measured aspect of the first and third streams of material.

[0089] In an eighth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the method of the seventh aspect further comprising measuring the flow rates of the introduced botanical material, the first stream of material, and the third stream of material.

[0090] In a ninth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the method of the seventh or eighth aspects wherein the first stream of material comprises a puree and the third stream of material comprises a pulp.

[0091] In a tenth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertain to the method of any one of the seventh to ninth aspects further comprising blending the puree of the first stream of material and the pulp of the third stream of material to create a thickened puree. [0092] In an eleventh aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the method of any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, wherein the first stream of material has a lower viscosity than the third stream of material.

[0093] In a twelfth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the method of any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, wherein the first stream of material and the third stream of material have substantially the same viscosity.

[0094] In a thirteenth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the method of any one of the seventh to twelfth aspects, wherein the measured aspects of the first and third streams of material comprise the viscosities of the streams.

[0095] In a fourteenth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the method of any one of the seventh to thirteenth aspects, wherein the step of dynamically adjusting the first finisher or the second finisher comprises modifying the rotational speed of the first finisher and/or the second finisher.

[0096] In a fifteenth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the method of any one of the seventh to fourteenth aspects, further comprising decreasing the rotational velocity of the first finisher to allow more botanical material to enter the second finisher to decrease the viscosity of the third stream of the material.

[0097] In a sixteenth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to a system, comprising: a first finisher configured to receive botanical material and to produce a first steam and a second stream of material; a second finisher configured to receive the second stream from the first finisher and to produce a third stream; a first sensor measuring an aspect of the first stream; a second sensor measuring an aspect of the third stream; wherein an operating parameter of the first and/or second finisher is adjusted based upon the measured aspects of the first and third streams to achieve first and third streams within a desired range of Bostwick viscosity.

[0098] In a seventeenth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the system of the sixteenth aspect, wherein the system is a closed-loop system.

[0099] In an eighteenth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the system of the sixteenth or seventeenth aspects, wherein the closed-loop system automatically adjusts the operating parameter based on the measured aspects of the first and third streams. [0100] In a nineteenth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the system of any one of the sixteenth to eighteenth aspects, wherein the closed-loop system includes a manual change in the operating parameter.

[0101] In a twentieth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the system of any one of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects, wherein the adjusted operating parameter of the finisher comprises: modifying a hole size of a screen of the finisher; modifying a rotational velocity of a shaft of the finisher; modifying a gap between a paddle of the finisher and the screen; or modifying the flowrate of the botanical material and/or the second stream into the first finisher or the second finisher.

[0102] In a twenty-first aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the system of any one of the sixteenth to twentieth aspects, wherein the first and second sensors comprise one or more of: an inline viscometer for measuring viscosity, a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in the streams, or, a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the streams.

[0103] In a twenty-second aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the system of any one of the sixteenth to twenty -first aspects, further comprising a human-machine interface (HMI) to provide feedback of the system.

[0104] In a twenty-third aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the system of any one of the sixteenth to twenty-second aspects, wherein the HMI comprises a user interface including a display for providing information related to the measured aspects and the operating parameters of the first and second finishers, and a memory for storing and recalling the measured aspects and the operating parameters of the first and second finishers.

[0105] In a twenty-fourth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the system of any one of the sixteenth to twenty-third aspects, wherein the user interface includes controls to modify an operating parameter of the of the first and second finishers.

[0106] In a twenty-fifth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to a method of producing streams of botanical purees having a Bostwick viscosity of from 5 to 9 cm, the method comprising: introducing a botanical material to a first finisher to produce a first stream of material and a second stream of material; moving the second stream of material to a second finisher to produce a third stream of material and a fourth stream of material; measuring an aspect of at least the first stream of material and the third stream of material to determine the Bostwick viscosities of each stream; and dynamically adjusting, in real time, the first finisher or the second finisher based on the determined Bostwick viscosities of the first and third streams of material.

[0107] In a twenty-sixth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the method of the twenty-fifth aspect, wherein: the dynamically adjustment continues until both of the first and third streams are botanical purees having the Bostwick viscosity of from 5 to 9 cm; or the dynamically adjustment continues until the first and third streams are determined to have Bostwick viscosities such that a blended puree of the first and third streams would have the Bostwick viscosity of from 5 to 9 cm.

[0108] In a twenty-seventh aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the edible composition as described in any one of the foregoing aspects consisting essentially of, or, optionally, consisting of: the puree and the sweetener; wherein, optionally, the puree has a moisture content of no more than about 90% (w/w).

[0109] In a twenty-eighth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the method of making an edible composition as described in any one of the foregoing aspects further comprising blending the puree of the first stream of material and the pulp of the third stream of material to create a thickened puree; wherein, optionally, the first stream of material comprises a puree and the third stream of material comprises a pulp.

[0110] In a twenty-ninth aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to the method of making an edible composition as described in any one of the foregoing aspects wherein, optionally, the first stream of material has a lower viscosity than the third stream of material; or wherein the first stream of material and the third stream of material have substantially the same viscosity.

[0111] In a thirty aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to a system for making an edible composition, the edible composition being as described in any foregoing aspect, comprising a first finisher configured to receive botanical material and to produce a first steam and a second stream of material; a second finisher configured to receive the second stream from the first finisher and to produce a third stream; a first sensor measuring an aspect of the first stream; a second sensor measuring an aspect of the third stream; wherein an operating parameter of the first and/or second finisher is adjusted based upon the measured aspects of the first and third streams to achieve first and third streams within a desired range of Bostwick viscosity.

[0112] In a thirty -first aspect, the technology disclosed in this specification pertains to a system for making an edible composition, the system as described of the foregoing aspects, wherein the system is a closed-loop system; wherein, optionally, the closed-loop system automatically adjusts the operating parameter based on the measured aspects of the first and third streams; and wherein, optionally, the closed-loop system includes a manual change in the operating parameter.

[0113] Use of“about” to modify a number in this specification is meant to include the number recited plus or minus 10%. Where legally permissible recitation of a value in a claim means about the value. Use of about in a claim or in the specification is not intended to limit the full scope of covered equivalents.

[0114] While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, a person with ordinary skill in the art, after reading the foregoing specification, can effect changes, substitutions of equivalents and other types of alterations to the methods. Each aspect and embodiment described above can also have included or incorporated therewith such variations or aspects as disclosed regarding any or all the other aspects and embodiments.

[0115] The present technology is also not to be limited in terms of the aspects described herein, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the present technology. Many modifications and variations of this present technology can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods within the scope of the present technology, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is to be understood that this present technology is not limited to methods, conjugates, reagents, compounds, compositions, labeled compounds or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. Thus, it is intended that the specification be considered as exemplary only with the breadth, scope and spirit of the present technology indicated only by the appended claims, definitions therein and any equivalents thereof. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential.

[0116] The embodiments illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology. Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of’ will be understood to include those elements specifically recited and those additional elements that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of’ excludes any element not specified.

[0117] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the generic disclosure also form part of the technology. This includes the generic description of the technology with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether the excised material is specifically recited herein.

[0118] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as“up to,”“at least,” “greater than,”“less than,” and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0119] All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents (for example, journals, articles and/or textbooks) referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

[0120] The technology is further described in the following aspects, which are intended to be illustrative, and are not intended to limit the full scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An edible composition comprising:

(a) a puree of botanical, and

(b) a sweetener, which is optionally used in an amount of from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the composition or from about 30% to about 70% or from about 30% to about 60% or from 30% to about 50%, or from about 35% to about 45%, and which is optionally sucrose

wherein the composition has a Bostwick viscosity of from 5 to 9 cm; wherein the composition does not comprise a gum or a starch component.

2. The edible composition of claim 1 consisting essentially of, or, optionally, consisting of: the puree and the sweetener; wherein, optionally, the puree has a moisture content of no more than about 90% (w/w).

3. The edible composition of claim 1 or 2 wherein the puree is from a botanical material selected from the group consisting of berries, stone fruit, pome fruit, and root vegetables, or optionally wherein berries consists of the group consisting of strawberry and blueberry, and wherein root vegetable consists of the group consisting of carrot and beet, and mixtures thereof.

4. A food composition comprising the edible composition of any one of claims 1 to 3 and a second ingredient, wherein, optionally, the food composition is a fruit filling or fruit preparation.

5. A method for making an edible composition comprising:

introducing a botanical material to a first finisher to produce a first stream of material and a second stream of material;

moving the second stream of material to a second finisher to produce a third stream of material and a fourth stream of material; measuring an aspect of at least the first stream of material and the third stream of material; and

dynamically adjusting the first finisher or the second finisher based on the measured aspect of the first and third streams of material;

6. The method of claim 5 wherein, the method further comprises measuring the flow rates of the introduced botanical material, the first stream of material, and the third stream of material.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6 further comprising blending the puree of the first stream of material and the pulp of the third stream of material to create a thickened puree; wherein, optionally, the first stream of material comprises a puree and the third stream of material comprises a pulp.

8. The method of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first stream of material has a lower viscosity than the third stream of material; or wherein, optionally, the first stream of material and the third stream of material have substantially the same viscosity.

9. The method of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the measured aspects of the first and third streams of material comprise the viscosities of the streams.

10. The method of any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the step of dynamically adjusting the first finisher or the second finisher comprises modifying the rotational speed of the first finisher and/or the second finisher.

11. The method of any one of claims 5 to 10, further comprising decreasing the rotational velocity of the first finisher to allow more botanical material to enter the second finisher to decrease the viscosity of the third stream of the material.

12. A system, comprising:

a first finisher configured to receive botanical material and to produce a first steam and a second stream of material;

a second finisher configured to receive the second stream from the first finisher and to produce a third stream; a first sensor measuring an aspect of the first stream;

a second sensor measuring an aspect of the third stream;

wherein an operating parameter of the first and/or second finisher is adjusted based upon the measured aspects of the first and third streams to achieve first and third streams within a desired range of Bostwick viscosity.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the system is a closed-loop system; wherein, optionally, the closed-loop system automatically adjusts the operating parameter based on the measured aspects of the first and third streams; and wherein, optionally, the closed- loop system includes a manual change in the operating parameter.

14. The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the adjusted operating parameter of the finisher comprises:

modifying a hole size of a screen of the finisher;

modifying a rotational velocity of a shaft of the finisher;

modifying a gap between a paddle of the finisher and the screen; or

modifying the flowrate of the botanical material and/or the second stream into the first finisher or the second finisher.

15. The system of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first and second sensors comprise one or more of: an inline viscometer for measuring viscosity, a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in the streams, or, a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the streams.

16. The system of any of claims 12 to 15, further comprising a human-machine interface

(HMI) to provide feedback of the system.

17. The system of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the HMI comprises a user interface including a display for providing information related to the measured aspects and the operating parameters of the first and second finishers, and a memory for storing and recalling the measured aspects and the operating parameters of the first and second finishers.

18. The system of any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the user interface includes controls to modify an operating parameter of the of the first and second finishers.

19. A method of producing streams of botanical purees having a Bostwick viscosity of from

5 to 9 cm, the method comprising:

introducing a botanical material to a first finisher to produce a first stream of material and a second stream of material;

moving the second stream of material to a second finisher to produce a third stream of material and a fourth stream of material;

measuring an aspect of at least the first stream of material and the third stream of material to determine the Bostwick viscosities of each stream; and

dynamically adjusting, in real time, the first finisher or the second finisher based on the determined Bostwick viscosities of the first and third streams of material.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the dynamically adjustment continues until both of the first and third streams are botanical purees having the Bostwick viscosity of from 5 to 9 cm; or the dynamically adjustment continues until the first and third streams are determined to have Bostwick viscosities such that a blended puree of the first and third streams would have the Bostwick viscosity of from 5 to 9 cm.