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  All-natural fruit product and method of making the sameRelated Patent Categories: Food Or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, And Products, Products Per Se, Or Processes Of Preparing Or Treating Compositions Involving Chemical Reaction By Addition, Combining Diverse Food Material, Or Permanent Additive, Plant Material Is Basic Ingredient Other Than Extract, Starch Or ProteinAll-natural fruit product and method of making the same description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070110878, All-natural fruit product and method of making the same. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/273,230, filed Nov. 14, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The invention relates to all-natural, shelf-stable fruit products and a method of making such products. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The consumption of fresh fruit can be difficult and inconvenient. Fresh fruit generally has a very limited shelf life and thus must be obtained on a regular basis. Increasingly, the scientific community has found that eating fiber including the fiber in fruit is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Fruit juice can be conveniently available with a reasonably good shelf life when refrigerated. However, fruit juice is generally not a very good source of fiber. Fresh fruit is also good source of electrolytes, minerals, carbohydrates, and vitamins. [0004] In addition, fresh fruit is a seasonal item. It is ripe only for a limited time and also only during certain times of the year. The transportation of fruit over long distances has increased the availability of fruit year round, but often consumers find the fruit to be not as good as locally grown fruit. [0005] In addition, because fruit is a perishable item, the distribution of fruit has to occur over relatively long distances in a short period of time. This increases the price of fruit to consumers. [0006] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an all-natural, shelf-stable fruit product that can be distributed and stored without refrigeration. [0007] Consumers are increasingly wary of artificial, synthetic, or non-natural ingredients. At the same time, consumers used to the blending of different flavors including non-natural flavors, demand exciting flavors. In addition, there is a need for all-natural products in a variety of desirable flavors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a shelf-stable fruit product is provided which is a good source of fiber and can be made in a variety of exciting flavors with all-natural ingredients. The fruit product comprises fruit puree, an added natural sweetener and no non-natural sweeteners. The fruit product also includes about 0.05% to about 0.5% by total weight of the fruit product of a galactomannan. The fruit product also has added pectin in an amount of from about 0.4% to about 2.0% by total weight of the fruit product. In addition, the fruit product has a pH of about 3.0 to about 4.2, is shelf stable and has a Brix of from about 20.degree. to about 40.degree.. [0009] Typically, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, the fruit product is composed of all-natural ingredients and contains the ingredients as previously described. [0010] The fruit product can be made by mixing pectin, a galactomannan, and water to form a thickener solution. Next, a fruit is added to the thickener to form a fruit dispersion. The fruit dispersion is then heated to a temperature from about 180.degree. F. to about 210.degree. F. The heated fruit dispersion is then suitably packaged in an air impermeable container and cooled to form a fruit product having a Brix of about 20.degree. to about 40.degree.. Thereafter, the product can be stored under normal store conditions without refrigeration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0011] In a preferred embodiment, the all-natural fruit product includes fruit puree, an added natural sweetener and no non-natural sweeteners. Preferably, the puree is in an amount not less than 14% by weight of the total fruit product, more preferably not less than 18%. The puree used may be a concentrate. The puree may be from a single fruit or from several fruits. Any desirable fruit puree can be used. Examples include mango, strawberry, apple, blueberry, passionfruit, pineapple, banana, raspberry, and combinations thereof. [0012] The added natural sweetener can be any natural sweetener including, but not limited to, honey, molasses, or relatively bland tasting fruit juices. Preferably, the natural sweetener is apple juice, white grape juice, pear juice or combinations thereof. The juice used may be a concentrate. Preferably, the product does not contain sugars derived from sources other than fruit. Preferably, the added natural sweetener is present in an amount which provides a Brix of at least 10.degree. by total weight of the fruit product, more preferably at least 11.degree.. Juice concentrate is preferred because it contributes to fruit content including flavor at a lower viscosity than other forms of fruit. [0013] The fruit product has about 0.05% to about 0.5% by total weight of the fruit product of a galactomannan. Guar gum, locust bean gum and tara gum are galactomannans. Preferably, the galactomannan is selected from the group consisting of locust bean gum, guar gum, and blends thereof. More preferably, the galactomannan contains about 50% to about 90% locust bean gum and about 10% to about 50% guar gum. Most preferably, the galactomannan contains about 0.12% to about 0.30% locust bean gum by weight of the fruit product and about 0.04% to about 0.20% guar gum by weight of the fruit product. [0014] The fruit product has added pectin in an amount of from about 0.4% to about 2.0% by total weight of the fruit product. Preferably, the added pectin is a low methoxyl pectin. More preferably, the low methoxyl pectin is present in an amount from about 0.6% to about 1.5% by weight of the fruit product. When low methoxyl pectin is used in the fruit product, a divalent ion is also used. Preferably, calcium lactate is used as a source of divalent ions. More preferably, the calcium lactate is present in an amount of about 0.04% to about 0.25% by total weight of the fruit product, most preferably in an amount of about 0.06% to about 0.22%. [0015] In addition, the fruit product has a pH of about 3.0 to about 4.2. The fruit product has a Brix of from about 20.degree. to about 40.degree., preferably from about 24.degree. to about 32.degree.. [0016] The fruit product may contain other natural ingredients. One such ingredient is ascorbic acid in an amount effective to prevent or reduce oxidation. Other ingredients include spices, vanilla, and other flavoring agents. The fruit product may also contain fruit juices in addition to the fruit puree and the added natural sweetener. Preferably, the fruit juice and the fruit puree are from different fruits so that an exciting flavor is created. Natural flavors can also be included such as pineapple, mango, and berry. Natural flavors are especially useful when larger quantities of natural sweetener are used to maintain the intensity of the fruit flavor. The fruit product may also contain natural colorants such as beta carotene to intensify the color provided by the various fruit components. [0017] Preferably, there is one full serving of fruit contained in each 2.1 fluid ounce serving of the product. A serving of fruit is considered to be 4 fl. oz. of fruit. The invention provides the equivalent of 4 fl. oz. of fruit in a 2.1 fluid ounce serving of product by providing the same amount of fruit solids as 4 fl. oz. of fruit. Obviously, the amount of water and solids changes from fruit type to fruit type, and from fruit to fruit. Thus, USDA standardized serving sizes are used for purposes of comparison. The USDA has standardized a serving of apple juice at 4 fluid ounces, having a weight of 123.42 grams, and having a brix value of 11.5%. If 30 grams of apple puree concentrate having a Brix of 38.degree. is used then the fruit equivalent of the apple puree concentrate is (30 g.times.38%)/(123.42 g.times.11.5%/serving)=0.80 servings. [0018] Where more than one fruit type is present in the product of the invention, the weight equivalent of fruit for each fruit type is calculated and summed. For purposes of this calculation, the solids provided by a fruit-based natural sweetener are considered part of the fruit serving. [0019] The texture of the fruit product is that of a semi-solid wet texture between yogurt and jam, similar to applesauce. The texture is pulpy and firm, but not a gel. The texture is sufficiently firm that the fruit product can be packaged in a variety of different ways. For example, the fruit product can be packaged as a "push pop" where the fruit product is packaged in a tube and the bottom of the tube can be pushed into the tube forcing the fruit product to exit from the top of the tube. 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