Use of erythritol and D-tagatose in zero-or low-calorie beverages
A combination of one or more non-nutritive sweeteners, a sugar alcohol and D-tagatose are included in a zero- or low-calorie beverage or food product to achieve a taste substantially similar to that of a full-calorie beverage or food product. The combination is suitable for use in zero- or low-calorie frozen carbonated beverages.
1. A diet frozen carbonated beverage comprising:
(a) at least one non-nutritive sweetener,
(b) erythritol in an amount of about 0.1% to about 3.5% based on finished beverage weight and
(c) D-tagatose in an amount of about 0.1% to about 1.0% based on finished beverage weight.
2. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 1 , wherein the erythritol is present in an amount of about 0.2% to about 2.5% based on finished beverage weight and wherein the D-tagatose is present in an amount of about 0.2% to about 0.9% based on finished beverage weight.
3. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 2 , wherein the D-tagatose is present in an amount of about 0.3% to about 0.6% based on finished beverage weight.
4. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-nutritive sweetener is a blend of non-nutritive sweetener comprising acesulfame-K and sucralose.
5. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 1 , wherein the diet frozen carbonated beverage is a diet cola frozen carbonated beverage or a diet lemon-lime frozen carbonated beverage.
6. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 1 , further comprising (d) at least one nutritive sweetener.
7. A method of making a diet frozen carbonated beverage comprising the steps of:
(1) combining (a) at least one non-nutritive sweetener, (b) erythritol in an amount of 0.1% to about 3.5% based on finished beverage weight and (c) D-tagatose in an amount of about 0.1% to about 1.0% based on finished beverage weight in a diet frozen carbonated beverage syrup;
(2) loading the diet frozen carbonated beverage syrup into a dispensing machine; and
(3) dispensing the diet frozen carbonated beverage.
8. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 1 , wherein the diet frozen carbonated beverage can be run through a frozen carbonated beverage machine at least three times.
9. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 1 wherein the erythritol is present in an amount of about 2.5% to about 3.5% based on finished beverage weight and wherein the D-tagatose is present in an amount of about 0.6% to about 1.0% based on finished beverage weight.
10. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 9 wherein the D-tagatose is present in an amount of about 0.8% to about 1.0%.
11. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 1 wherein the beverage contains a bulk solute consisting essentially of erythritol, D-tagatose and optionally a nutritive sweetener.
12. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 11 wherein the bulk solute consists essentially of erythritol and D-tagatose.
13. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 12 wherein the beverage is a zero-calorie beverage.
14. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 11 , wherein the erythritol is present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 3.5% based on finished beverage weight and wherein the D-tagatose is present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 1.0% based on finished beverage weight.
15. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 14 wherein the erythritol is present in an amount of about 2.5% to about 3.5% based on finished beverage weight and wherein the D-tagatose is present in an amount of about 0.6% to about 1.0% based on finished beverage weight.
16. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 15 wherein the D-tagatose is present in an amount of about 0.8% to about 1.0%.
17. The diet frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 14 , wherein the diet frozen carbonated beverage is a diet cola frozen carbonated beverage or a diet lemon-lime frozen carbonated beverage.
18. The method of making a diet frozen carbonated beverage of claim 7 wherein the beverage syrup contains a bulk solute consisting essentially of erythritol, D-tagatose and optionally a nutritive sweetener.
19. The method of making a diet frozen carbonated beverage of claim 18 wherein the bulk solute consists essentially of erythritol and D-tagatose.
20. The method of making a frozen carbonated beverage according to claim 7 wherein the erythritol is combined in an amount of about 2.5% to about 3.5% based on finished beverage weight and wherein the D-tagatose is combined in an amount of about 0.8% to about 1.0% based on finished beverage weight.