CLAIMS
1. Process for producing a beverage comprising a cocoa material having an enhanced level of polyphenols, the process comprising the steps of:
(a) adding a base to an aqueous phase to adjust the pH to between about
6.5 and about 7.5,
(b) mixing ingredients into the aqueous phase to give a dispersion, the ingredients including the cocoa material having an enhanced level of polyphenols,
(c) performing a thermal treatment on the dispersion, comprising heating the dispersion to over about 85°C for at least about 5 seconds, and
(d) cooling the treated dispersion.
2. A process according to Claim 1 wherein the aqueous phase is milk.
3. A process according to Claim 2 wherein the milk is a low fat milk.
4. A process according to Claim 1 wherein the aqueous phase is water.
5. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the base comprises potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and/or potassium carbonate.
6. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the pH of the aqueous phase in step (a) is adjusted to between about 6.7 and about 7.2.
7. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the pH of the aqueous phase in step (a) is adjusted to between about 6.85 and about 7.1.
8. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the pH of the aqueous phase in step (a) is adjusted to between about 6.9 and about 7.0.
9. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the cocoa material having an enhanced level of polyphenols is a cocoa powder.
10. A process according to Claim 9 wherein the cocoa powder contains a higher level of polyphenols than alkalized cocoa powder.
11. A process according to Claim 9 or 10 wherein the cocoa powder has an ORAC value of greater than 1000 micromoles TE/g.
12. A process according to Claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein the cocoa powder has an ORAC value of greater than 1500 micromoles TE/g.
13. A process according to any of Claims 9 to 12 wherein the cocoa powder contains at least 50 mg/g of polyphenols.
14. A process according to any of Claims 9 to 13 wherein the cocoa powder contains at least 80 mg/g of polyphenols.
15. A process according to any of Claims 9 to 14 wherein the cocoa powder contains at least 100 mg/g of polyphenols.
16. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the ingredients are selected from the group consisting of cocoa powder, polyphenol-enhanced cocoa powder, thickening agents, flavouring agents, sugar, sugar replacers, and mixtures thereof.
17. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the thermal treatment comprises heating the dispersion to above about 900C.
18. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the thermal treatment comprises heating the dispersion to between about 930C and 970C.
19. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the thermal treatment comprises heating the dispersion for at least 10 seconds.
20. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the thermal treatment comprises heating the dispersion for at least 20 seconds.
21. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the thermal treatment comprises heating the dispersion for between about 25 and 50 seconds.
22. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the thermal treatment is performed using a tubular heat exchanger and/or a plate heat exchanger.
23. A process according to any preceding claim wherein a UHT treatment is performed on the dispersion after the thermal treatment.
24. A process according to any preceding claim further comprising homogenizing the dispersion after step (b).
25. A process according to Claim 24 wherein the homogenization is performed in two steps.
26. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the dispersion is cooled to a temperature of less than about 3O0C in step (d).
27. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the dispersion is cooled to a temperature of between about 15 and about 250C in step (d).
28. A process according to any preceding claim further comprising packaging the beverage into a container.
29. A b everage compri sing :
0.5 to 3% cocoa powder,
0.5 to 3% polyphenol-enhanced cocoa powder,
0.01 to 0.07% carrageenan, 5 to 20% sugar, and
milk to 100%,
wherein the beverage is substantially free of agglomerated protein.
30. Use of a beverage obtainable by any of Claims 1 to 28 or as defined in Claim 29 for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease, poor cognitive performance, poor skin health, poor immune system performance, cancer, prostrate enlargement, obesity, and/or depression.