PROCESS FOR PREPARING CHOCOLATE CRUMB
A process is described for preparing chocolate crumb. A milk and sugar mixture is provided, or milk and sugar are mixed together so as to form a mixture, and the mixture is modified so that the total solids are present in the range of 75% to 90% of the mixture. During the process of mixing and/or modifying the mixture, cocoa mass/liquor is added to the mixture. The mixture is then subjected to conditions effective to bring about sugar crystallisation in the mixture, and dried so as to form chocolate crumb.
1 . A process for preparing chocolate crumb comprising:
a) providing a milk and sugar mixture or mixing together, milk and sugar so as to form a mixture;
b) modifying the mixture so that the total solids are present in the range of 75% to 90% of the mixture;
c) adding cocoa mass/liquor to the mixture after and/or during steps (a) and/or (b);
d) subjecting the mixture to conditions effective to bring about sugar crystallisation in the mixture; and
e) drying the mixture so as to form chocolate crumb.
2 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises modifying the mixture so that the total solids are present in the range of 85% to 90%.
3 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises modifying the mixture so that the total solids are present at about 90%.
4 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises evaporation of liquid from the mixture.
5 . A process as claimed in claim 4 , wherein step (b) comprises subjecting the mixture to heat.
6 . A process as claimed in claim 5 , wherein step (b) comprises additionally subjecting the mixture to a lowered pressure.
7 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mixture is subjected to heat and/or a lowered pressure between steps (b) and (c) and/or between steps (c) and (d).
8 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the milk is formed from powdered milk and water.
9 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein step (a) further comprises the addition of water.
10 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the milk comprises liquid milk.
11 . A process as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the liquid milk comprises concentrated liquid milk.
12 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the process further comprises adding milk solids prior to undertaking step (d).
13 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the process further comprises the step of adding a fat to the mixture before or during step (e).
14 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least steps (a) to (d) are undertaken in a single reaction vessel.
15 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of steps (a) to (d) is undertaken in different reaction vessels.
16 . A process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the process further comprises the step of:
f) forming the chocolate crumb into briquettes.
17 . A process for preparing chocolate crumb comprising:
a) providing a milk and sugar mixture or mixing together, milk and sugar so as to form a mixture having total solids present in the range of 75% to 90% of the mixture;
b) adding cocoa mass/liquor to the mixture;
c) subjecting the mixture to conditions effective to bring about sugar crystallisation in the mixture; and
d) drying the mixture so as to form chocolate crumb.
18 . A process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the total solids are present in the range of 85% to 90%.
19 . A process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the total solids are present at about 90%.
20 . A process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the milk is formed from powdered milk and water.
21 . A process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the milk comprises liquid milk.
22 . A process as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the liquid milk comprises concentrated liquid milk.
23 . A process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the process further comprises adding milk solids prior to undertaking step (c).
24 . A process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the process further comprises the step of adding a fat to the mixture before or during step (d).
25 . A process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein at least steps (a) to (c) are undertaken in a single reaction vessel.
26 . A process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein at least one of steps (a) to (c) are undertaken in different reaction vessels.
27 . A process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the process further comprises the step of:
e) forming the chocolate crumb into briquettes.
28 . (canceled)
29 . A chocolate crumb formed using the process as claimed in claim 1 .
30 . A confectionery product formed using a chocolate crumb as claimed in claim 29 .