Non-sticky, free-flowing comestible and a process for its preparation

Abstract

A non-sticky, free-flowing product comprises a candied or infused, internally-moist, solid comestible having a surface coating comprising as main ingredient a dry starch derivative selected from starch phosphate esters, hydroxyalkyl starches phosphate esters and mixtures thereof. Typically, the candied or infused, internally-moist solid comestible is selected from candied or infused ginger pieces, whole fruit or fruit pieces. The product may be used as a food ingredient, for instance in bakery products, cereal products, ice cream and dairy products.

1 . A non-sticky, free-flowing product comprising a candied or infused, internally-moist, solid comestible having a surface coating comprising as main ingredient a dry, waxy starch derivative selected from starch phosphates esters, hydroxyalkyl starch phosphate esters and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       2 . A product according to  claim 1 , wherein said dry starch derivative is a waxy, maize-based starch. 
   
   
       3 . A product according to either  claim 1 , wherein said dry starch derivative is a cook-up starch. 
   
   
       4 . A product according to  claim 3 , wherein the starch derivative is hydroxypropylated waxy maize di-starch phosphate. 
   
   
       5 . A product according to any one of  claims 1 , wherein the candied or infused, internally-moist, solid comestible comprises candied or infused ginger pieces. 
   
   
       6 . A product according to any one of  claims 1 , wherein the candied or infused, internally-moist, solid comestible comprises candied or infused fruit. 
   
   
       7 . A product according to  claim 6 , wherein the fruit is selected from whole fruit units and fruit pieces. 
   
   
       8 . A product according to  claim 6 , wherein the fruit is selected from raisins, currants, grapes, dates, figs, prunes, plums, apples, pears, bananas, peaches, apricots, nectarines, pineapples, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, cherries and citrus fruits. 
   
   
       9 . A product according to any one of  claims 1 , wherein the infused, internally moist, solid comestible is a solid comestible infused with an infusion material selected from carbohydrate sweeteners, polyol sweeteners, polyhydric alcohols, and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       10 . A product according to  claim 9 , wherein the infusion material is selected from glycerol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, glucose, fructose, sucrose, starch hydrolysate, maltitol, isomalt, sorbitol, lactitol, mannitol, erythritol, xylitol and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . A food product comprising the non-sticky, free-flowing product according to  claim 1  and one or more other edible ingredients. 
   
   
       20 . A food product according to  claim 19  selected from bakery products, trial mixes, cereal products, ice cream and dairy products. 
   
   
       21 . An anti-sticking coating adapted for candied or infused, internally-moist, solid comestibles, said coating obtained from a starch derivative selected from starch phosphates esters, hydroxyalkyl starch phosphate esters and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       22 . The coating according to  claim 21 , wherein said coating is obtained from hydroxypropylated waxy maize di-starch phosphate.