Shade Foods, Inc.

Andrew L Nelson

James C Cross

Michael L Talbot

Improved food products including cheeses, fruits, cookie materials, snack chips, and seasonings are provided which are highly shelf-stable and can be stored at room temperatures for long periods of time. The products have a total moisture content of less than about 5% by weight, and more preferably less than about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the ingredients used in the product. The products of the invention have a water activity of from about 0.2-0.3 and an average particle size of from about 0.0006-0.0012 inches (15-31 microns). The processes by which the products are made comprise subjecting the starting ingredients to two stages of average particle size reduction, wherein the first stage results in an average particle size of less than about 0.0090 inches (229 microns), and the second stage results in an average particle size of from about 0.0006-0.0012 inches (15-31 microns). In one embodiment, the particle size reduction is accomplished via a chocolate roll refining system which includes a two roll pre-refiner and a five roll refiner.

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Prairie Village, KS, United States of America

Andrew L Nelson