Bunge Foods Corporation

Thomas G Crosby

Frank R Kincs

Reynaldo G Cruz

A pelletized shortening is prepared by a process which includes melting, cooling, solidifying and extruding natural and/or synthetic shortening materials to provide shortening pellets or chunks which, without requiring further processing, resist clumping together at at least moderate temperatures of about 70.degree. F. (about 21.degree. C.). The pelletized shortening has a hardness or solids profile which is especially suitable for baking applications and imparts a tenderizing effect in bakery type products while still providing a shortening in a form that is easy to handle inasmuch as it is pourable or able to be metered in a flowing particulate style. While it has relatively high solids at room temperature or storage conditions, the solids content of the pelletized shortening dissipates rapidly enough such that the solids reduction will provide the desired tenderizing effect in dough products including biscuits and pizza crusts.

Pelletized shortening

Shortening compositions containing a lauric fat component such as coconut oil are provided in a form in which they are pourable and which have a eutectic characteristic wherein the solids content of the shortening composition is lower than the combined respective solids contents of the individual ingredients thereof, including a shortening base liquid edible oil component, the lauric fat component and, when desired, a flake component.

Pourable shortening containing lauric fat and method for preparing same

Shortening compositions containing one or more dairy components are provided in a form in which they are pourable even though they may contain substantial amounts of a butter component such as whole, real butter. The shortening compositions have a eutectic characteristic wherein the solids content of the shortening composition is lower than the combined respective solids contents of the individual ingredients thereof, including a shortening base component such as an edible oil, the butter component and, when desired, a flake component. These shortening compositions exhibit a taste profile that is exceptionally close to that of real, whole butter, particularly when compared with products that do not include any real dairy components.

Pourable shortening containing butter and method for preparing

Shortening compositions containing one or more dairy components are provided in a form in which they are shelf-stable to the extent that they can be stored at room temperatures for extended periods of time. These compositions can be formulated so as to be pourable, and they contain up to about 20 weight percent or more of a butter component such as whole, real butter, together with relatively low levels of water and supersaturated levels of salt or the like. The shortening compositions exhibit a taste profile that is exceptionally close to that of real, whole butter, particularly when compared with products that do not include any real dairy components.

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Bourbonnais, IL, United States of America

Thomas G Crosby