Methods of Making Sweetener Compositions
A method of improving the taste of an extract of a fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family provided as a liquid comprising the extract is offered, said method comprising heating the liquid to a temperature above 60° C. such that at least one off-flavor material is removed by evaporation. The use of the method in making a beverage or a foodstuff is also disclosed.
1 . A method of improving the taste of an extract of a fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family provided as a liquid comprising the extract, said method comprising heating the liquid to a temperature above 60° C. such that at least one off-flavor material is removed by evaporation.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the extract of a fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family comprises Lo Han Guo.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the extract of a fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family is in the form of a solid which is solvated in water so as to be provided as the liquid.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is heated to a temperature of at least 65° C.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is heated to a temperature of at least 70° C.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is heated to a temperature of at least 80° C.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein heating of the liquid takes place in a system which is open to the atmosphere.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein heating of the liquid takes place in a system providing for removal of evaporated off-flavor material.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the duration of the heating is in the range from 1 second to 10 minutes.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the method comprises distillation.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pH of the liquid is in the range from 5.5 to 8.5.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises at least one sugar alcohol.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises at least one organic salt.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises at least one saccharide.
15 . A method of making a beverage or a foodstuff, the method comprising heating a liquid comprising an extract of a fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family to a temperature above 60° C. such that at least one off-flavor material is removed by evaporation.