CONCENTRATED FOOD PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME
The present invention relates to methods for preparing a powdered food product and powdered food products obtainable by the methods. There are also disclosed methods for preparing a food stock and food stocks obtainable by the methods, as well as methods for preparing a food broth, food broths obtainable by the methods, and a device for preparing such food broths. The methods and products obtainable by the methods find utility in the culinary field of preparing stocks and broths.
1 . A method for preparing a powdered food product, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) cooking a food source by baking, roasting, frying, grilling, barbecuing, smoking, steaming, braising, or any combination each thereof;
(b) dehydrating the cooked food source; and
(c) reducing the particle size of the dehydrated food source.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the cooking step comprises heating the food source to at least 150° C.
3 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the food source is a meat source and the meat source comprises meat and bones.
4 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the dehydrating step comprises dehydrating the food source to a moisture content of less than 25% relative dry weight of the cooked food source.
5 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the dehydrating step comprises dehydrating the food source to a water activity (a w ) of less than 0.9.
6 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the reducing step comprises reducing the particle size of the dehydrated food source to a particle size of less than 10 mm.
7 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of separating the meat from the cooked food source; dehydrating the cooked meat; and reducing the particle size of the dehydrated meat.
8 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of separating the bones from the cooked food source; dehydrating the cooked bones; and reducing the particle size of the dehydrated bones.
9 . A method for preparing a food stock, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a powdered food product directly obtained from a method according to claim 1 ; and
(b) adding fat to the powdered food product.
10 . A method according to claim 9 , wherein the fat is added in an amount of at least 10% (w/w) of the powdered food product.
11 . A method according to claim 9 , wherein the fat is added in an amount of at least 100% (w/w) of the powdered food product.
12 . A method according to claim 9 , wherein the method comprises the additional step of reducing the particle size of the powdered food product and added fat to a particle size of 30-120 microns (μm).
13 . A method for preparing a food broth, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a powdered food product directly obtained from a method according to claim 1 ;
(b) providing a solvent; and
(c) infusing the powdered food product in the solvent.
14 . A device for preparing a food broth, the device comprising:
(a) a powdered food product directly obtained from a method according to claim; and
(b) a porous membrane encapsulating the powdered food product.