The invention describes sweetening compositions and methods to prepare sweetening compositions containing steviol glycosides, salts, and other natural or synthetic sweeteners with improved solubilities and sensory profiles.

The present invention relates to the use of a compound according to formula (I)

##STR00001## in the form of any one of its stereoisomers or a mixture thereof, and wherein n is an integer from 0 to 2; the dotted line represents a carbon-carbon single or double bond; and each of R.sup.1 to R.sup.4, when taken independently from each other, represents a hydrogen atom or represents a R.sup.5 or OR.sup.5 group, R.sup.5 representing a C.sub.1 to C.sub.5, or even a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3, alkyl group; and optionally one of the groups R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 represents OH; and/or when R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are taken together, and/or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are taken together, represent a OCH.sub.2O group, provided said groups taken together are adjacent substituents of the phenyl group;
as an ingredient in combination with other ingredients to confer, enhance, improve or modify the kokumi or umami taste of a flavored article.

Long-lasting sweetener formulations which comprise at least one encapsulated sweetener compound and are suitable for use in confectionery products are disclosed. In certain, non-limiting embodiments of the disclosed formulations, the sweetener compound is stevioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside M, steviobioside, rubusoside and dulcoside A. In certain embodiments, the disclosed formulations provide enhanced sweetness duration for chewing gum.

A method for making a granulated Stevia sweetener is described. The resulting sweetener has a desirably high solubility level.

The invention provides a high throughput, high purity, high yield system and method of isolating and purifying rebaudioside A (Reb A), with acceptable water solubility for all commercial uses, from commercially available Stevia rebaudiana starting material. The invention also provides a means of maximizing yields of 99+% purity Reb A based on the attributes of a given batch of Stevia starting material. The purity of the Reb A final product, up to 99+% purity, can be selected based on a starting material assay.

A method for making a highly soluble steviol glycoside composition is described. The resulting composition readily provides solutions with at least 0.5% concentration.

The present invention relates to a method for producing articles impregnated with at least one plant substance from at least one plant, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) Extraction and/or pressing of at least one plant (V1), or at least one part of said plant, producing a liquid plant extract (E1)) and a solid fibrous residue (R1), then b) Separation of said plant extract (E1) from said fibrous residue (R1), and c) Destructuring of said fibrous residue (R1), d) Production of a fibrous web or of an article made from the fibrous residue (R1) obtained in step c), and e) Impregnation of said fibrous residue (R1) with (i) at least said plant extract (E1), which is optionally concentrated, purified, flavored and/or fragranced, with (ii) at least one water-soluble or liposoluble plant substance isolated from said plant extract (E1), with (iii) at least one composition comprising at least one optionally concentrated, purified, flavored and/or fragranced water-soluble or liposoluble substance of said plant extract (E1), or with (iv) at least one plant extract (E2) or at least one composition comprising at least one optionally concentrated, purified, flavored and/or fragranced water-soluble or liposoluble substance of said plant extract (E2), resulting from an extraction or pressing of a plant (V2) different from said plant (V1).

Steviol glycoside compositions having improved sweetness and flavor profiles are described.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a strained fermented dairy product comprising the following successive steps: (a) providing a dairy product, (b) adding a lactase and a culture of bacteria comprising at least one strain of thermophilic lactic acid bacteria, with the provision that that it does not comprise any strain of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria, and fermenting the dairy product to obtain a fermented dairy product, and (c) separating a liquid whey from the fermented dairy product to obtain a strained fermented dairy product.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising one or more steviol glycosides which composition comprises nitrogen in an amount of no more than about 1000 ppm. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a steviol glycoside composition, which method comprises: providing a steviol glycoside composition; combining the steviol glycoside composition with water to form a steviol glycoside solution; and crystallizing a steviol glycoside composition from the solution. The invention also relates to a method for reducing the nitrogen content of a steviol glycoside composition, which method comprises: providing a steviol glycoside composition which comprises nitrogen; combining the steviol glycoside composition with water to form a steviol glycoside solution; and crystallizing a steviol glycoside composition from the solution, thereby to reduce the amount of nitrogen in the steviol glycoside composition.