Frozen food for extracting plum juice and its manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a frozen food for extracting plum juice, which enables even a person who has no experience in making plum wine or plum syrup to easily extract plum juice and is easy to use, and a method for producing the same. [Solution] A frozen food 1 for extracting plum juice is filled with a mixture of plum fruits 31 and a sweetener 32 in a packaging container 2 having a stopper 21 and a resin container body 23 equipped with a mouth part 22 that is detachable from the stopper 21. In addition, when the weight of the plum fruits 31 is taken as 1, the ratio of the plum fruits 31 to the sweetener 32 can be in the range of 1:0.8 to 1.2 by weight.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to a frozen food for extracting plum juice from plum fruits, which is used for making plum wine, plum syrup, etc., and a method for producing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Plum juice has been used as a health food since ancient times. The most common method of production is to heat the plum fruit to extract the extract, which is then boiled down to concentrate. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of heating the plum fruit to make a paste and storing it frozen. Patent Document 2 describes a method of freezing and crushing the plum fruit to make a powder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-337039 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2011-105757 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, for people (consumers) who have no experience making plum wine or plum syrup, the tasks of cooking and processing plum fruit as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, as well as preparing special bottles for making plum juice and sterilizing purchased plum fruit, are difficult and complicated.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a frozen food for extracting plum juice that is easy to use and enables even those who have no experience in making plum wine or plum syrup to easily extract plum juice, and a method for producing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a frozen food for plum juice extraction, which is packed in a packaging container having a stopper and a resin container body with a mouth part detachable from the stopper, in a state before plum juice is extracted from the plum fruits by the penetration of the plum fruits and a sweetener into each other. The sweetener can be any one of sugar, honey, and maple syrup. Furthermore, in the frozen food for plum juice extraction, the weight ratio of the plum fruits to the sweetener can be in the range of 1:0.8 to 1.2, assuming that the weight of the plum fruits is 1.

[0007] The invention relates to a method for producing a frozen food for extracting plum juice, which includes a first step of washing the surface of harvested plum fruits, a second step of immersing the washed plum fruits in water, a third step of removing the immersed plum fruits and freezing them, a fourth step of mixing the frozen plum fruits and a sweetener in a predetermined weight ratio and filling the mixture into a plastic packaging container, and a fifth step of freezing the packaging container. In this case, the weight ratio of the plum fruits to the sweetener can be in the range of 1:0.8 to 1.2. The sweetener may be any of sugar, honey, and maple syrup. Effect of the Invention

[0008] As described above, the frozen food for extracting plum juice of the present invention is frozen and packed in a packaging container before the plum fruit and the sweetener penetrate each other to extract the plum juice from the plum fruit, so that the consumer can easily produce high-quality plum juice by simply thawing the packaging container without needing any special preparation or experience. In particular, the frozen food produced through a series of processes of washing, soaking, freezing, mixing, and filling can be used to obtain plum juice without much effort by simply thawing it. In addition, since the packaging container is made of resin, it is lightweight, easy to handle, and excellent in storage and transportation. This makes it possible for even a person making plum juice for the first time to maintain a certain level of quality without failure.

[0009] Furthermore, the method for producing frozen food for extracting ume juice of the present invention allows for efficient and hygienic provision of ume juice. By undergoing the washing, soaking, and freezing processes immediately after harvesting, the freshness of the ume fruit can be maintained while suppressing the growth of bacteria. In addition, the process of uniformly mixing the sweetener and the ume fruit results in a well-balanced taste and aroma, making it possible to steadily supply high-quality ume juice. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the frozen food 1 for plum juice extraction of the present invention when capped. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a frozen food 1 for plum juice extraction of the present invention when opened. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process of frozen food 1 for plum juice extraction of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the same elements in all the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In addition, in the explanation in the text, the reference numerals previously described will be used as necessary.

[0012] Fig. 1 shows a front view of a frozen food 1 for plum juice extraction according to one embodiment of the present invention when the cap is closed, and Fig. 2 shows a front view of the frozen food 1 for plum juice extraction when the cap is opened. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the frozen food 1 for plum juice extraction according to the present invention is filled in a plastic (resin) packaging container 2 with a mixture 3 of plum fruits 31 and sweetener 32 in a frozen state before the plum juice seeps out. The packaging container 2 is formed from a container body 23 equipped with a stopper 21 and a mouth portion 22. In other words, by opening and closing the stopper 21 and the mouth portion 22, it is possible to inject liquid or the like into the container body 23 or to remove part of the contents from the container body 23.

[0013] The packaging container 2 of the present invention is made of plastic materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene, is highly durable, and can be used for a long time. The stopper 21 has an internal screw thread for easy opening and closing, allowing the user to easily take out the thawed plum juice.

[0014] Furthermore, the mouth 22 has a sealing structure to prevent liquid leakage, and has excellent airtightness. Therefore, the frozen food for plum juice extraction 1 can maintain its quality even when stored for a long period of time. Furthermore, the design of the packaging container 2 takes into consideration the convenience of the user (consumer), making it easy to store and handle in a freezer. The shape of the container body 23 is devised to make effective use of space, and it does not take up much space even when stored alongside other frozen foods. In addition, the use of a transparent material allows the state of the contents to be confirmed at a glance, so consumers can check the state of the contents before opening the container.

[0015] Next, the mixture 3 of plum fruit 31 and sweetener 32 such as sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc., enclosed in the container body 23 will be described. The weight ratio of the plum fruit 31 to the sweetener 32 in the mixture 3 can be adjusted within a certain range. In particular, for reasons described below, the weight ratio of the plum fruit 31 to the sweetener 32 is preferably in the range of 0.8 to 1.2 when the weight of the plum fruit 31 is taken as 1. Within this range, the plum juice is effectively extracted and the shelf life and flavor are appropriately maintained.

[0016] The plum fruits 31 used are high-quality plums that have been carefully selected and have just been harvested from the plum trees, and have a well-balanced sugar content and acidity. The sweetener 32 can be selected so as to be compatible with the plum fruits 31. The mixture 3 of the plum fruits 31 and the sweetener 32 is properly sealed in the packaging container 2 before the plum fruits 31 and the sweetener 32 permeate each other and the plum juice seeps out from the plum fruits 31, and the quality is maintained for a long period of time by storing it in a freezer.

[0017] Furthermore, the blend of mixture 3 of plum fruits 31 and sweetener 32 is fine-tuned according to the harvest season of plum fruits 31, so that it is possible to always provide the optimal flavor. By using (thawing) this frozen food for plum juice extraction 1, consumers can easily extract high-quality plum juice at home, which can be used in a variety of dishes and drinks. In this way, frozen food for plum juice extraction 1 of the present invention is a frozen food that is excellent in all respects: quality, ease of use, and storage stability.

[0018] <Upper limit of weight ratio> If the weight ratio of plum fruit 31 to sweetener 32 exceeds the upper limit of 1:1.2, there will be too much sweetener 32 relative to the amount of plum fruit 31, making the plum juice very sweet and making it difficult to adjust the sweetness when used as a drink or dessert. Also, if an excessive amount of sweetener 32 is included, there is a possibility that plum juice will not be efficiently extracted from plum fruit 31. This is because if the concentration of sweetener 32 is too high, water will not be efficiently extracted from plum fruit 31 due to osmotic pressure.

[0019] <Lower limit of weight ratio> If the weight ratio of plum fruit 31 to sweetener 32 falls below the lower limit of 1:0.8, i.e., if the amount of sweetener 32 is too small relative to the amount of plum fruit 31, the shelf life of the plum juice will decrease. This is because sweetener 32 also functions as a preservative, and its effect of preventing spoilage of the plum juice cannot be utilized. Also, if the proportion of sweetener 32 is too small, the sourness of plum fruit 31 will be emphasized too much, and the flavor may lose balance. In particular, when used as a drink or dessert, moderate sweetness is necessary, but this sweetness will be insufficient.

[0020] As described above, by setting the weight ratio of plum fruit 31 and sweetener 32 filled in container body 23 in the range of 1:0.8-1.2, the plum juice is effectively extracted and the shelf life and flavor are appropriately maintained. If this ratio exceeds the above range, problems such as excessive sweetness, reduced extraction efficiency, reduced shelf life, and lack of flavor balance occur.

[0021] Next, the manufacturing method of the frozen food for plum juice extraction according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A flow chart of the manufacturing process of the frozen food for plum juice extraction according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 3. The manufacturing process of the frozen food for plum juice extraction consists of a total of five steps, starting from the first step S001 of washing the surface of the harvested plum fruit as shown in Fig. 3, to the fifth step S005 of freezing the packaging container filled with the mixture of the plum fruit and sweetener. The details of each step will be described below.

[0022] <First process S001: Plum fruit washing process> The first step is to wash the surface of the harvested plums. This first step is essential to keep the surface of the plums clean and to maintain their quality.

[0023] Harvested plum fruits are sorted into several types based on size and color after removing foreign objects and defective products within 7 hours after harvesting. The sorting process is carried out manually or using an automatic sorting machine. It is preferable that the plum fruits used in the frozen food for extracting plum juice of the present invention are 25 mm or more in size (minimum diameter) and yellow-green or yellow-pink in color.

[0024] Next, running water or a special cleaning solution is used to remove dirt such as mud and pesticides that have adhered to the surface of the plums. Cleaning is done using a rotary washer or ultrasonic cleaner, taking care not to damage the plums. After cleaning, the plums are thoroughly rinsed with running water to remove all traces of cleaning solution, or a certain amount of plums (for example, 20 kg) are transferred to multiple containers with good drainage.

[0025] <Second process S002: Plum fruit water soaking process> In the second process, the plums whose surfaces have been washed in the first process are soaked in a container filled with water for one hour. The purpose of this process is to soften the excess acidity in the plums and make it easier for the sweetener used in the subsequent process to penetrate. In addition, soaking in water softens the plums appropriately, allowing them to be frozen evenly throughout the next process of freezing. This process also has the effect of removing insects, removing any small bugs that may be hiding inside the plums.

[0026] The water used for soaking must be clean, and it is preferable to use cold water if possible. Using cold water helps the plums to maintain their freshness, suppresses sourness, and improves the insect removal effect. The optimum soaking time is one hour; soaking for any longer will cause the plums to become overly soft, so care must be taken. After soaking, the plums are removed and the surface moisture is lightly wiped off before moving on to the next process.

[0027] <Third process S003: Freezing process of plum fruit> The third step is to quickly freeze the plums from which moisture has been removed by soaking in the second step. The freezer temperature should be in the range of -20°C to -40°C, and preferably around -30°C. By performing quick freezing, the cellular tissue inside the plums is not destroyed, and the quality of the fruit can be maintained while freezing.

[0028] During the freezing process, the plums are evenly distributed in the freezer, and care is taken to ensure that they are not directly exposed to wind. The freezing period is at least three days, and it is ensured that the plums are completely frozen. This process is very important to make the plums easier to store and to ensure that the sweetener is evenly distributed during mixing in the later process. The frozen plums are stored in the freezer until they are used in the subsequent process.

[0029] <Fourth step S004: Mixture filling step> The fourth step is to fill the mixture of the plums frozen in the third step and the sweetener into a plastic packaging container. This fourth step is important for improving the shelf life of the frozen food for plum juice extraction. By sealing the mixture of the frozen plums and sweetener, it is possible to prevent outside air and germs from entering, and to maintain the quality of the product. Furthermore, by filling the appropriate amount, it is possible to maintain a consistent product standard.

[0030] In this fourth step, the plums frozen in the third step are mixed with a sweetener in a predetermined weight ratio. In this case, it is preferable that the weight ratio of the plums to the sweetener is in the range of 1:0.8 to 1.2, assuming that the weight of the plums is 1. Specifically, the weight of the plums after washing is measured, and an appropriate ratio of sweetener is measured relative to that weight. Next, a dedicated mixing device (mixer or drum mixer) is used to mix the plums and the sweetener uniformly. This mixing is performed carefully so that the sweetener is distributed throughout the plums.

[0031] After that, the packaging containers (plastic bags) are prepared and kept clean. Next, the appropriate amount of the mixture of frozen plums and sweetener is filled into the packaging containers. An automatic filling machine is used for filling, and care is taken to ensure that the plums are evenly distributed and that the sweetener is not unevenly distributed. After filling, the mouth of the packaging container is tightly closed and the container is sealed with a stopper.

[0032] <Fifth step S005: Freezing the mixture> The fifth and final step involves freezing the packaging containers filled in the fourth step. This fifth step is important for improving the shelf life of the ume juice and maintaining the quality of the product for a long period of time. Quick freezing prevents crystallization of the ume fruit and sweetener, and preserves the flavor and nutritional value. Freezing also stops the extraction of ume juice from the ume fruit, while thawing improves the shelf life necessary for the extraction of ume juice.

[0033] In this fifth step, the sealed packaging container is placed in a freezer and frozen at a constant temperature. The temperature of the freezer is preferably in the range of -20°C to -40°C, and more preferably around -30°C. This freezing step allows the mixture of plum fruit and sweetener to be frozen evenly, preventing deterioration of quality.

[0034] In addition to the use of making plum wine by mixing the frozen food for plum juice extraction of the present invention with white liquor after thawing it to room temperature, the plum juice can be diluted with water or carbonated water to enjoy as a plum syrup drink. It can also be mixed with fruit juice to make a refreshing plum juice. Furthermore, plum juice can be added to hot or iced tea to make flavorful plum tea. It can also be sprinkled on vegetable salads to use as a dressing.

[0035] You can also mix it with gelatin and agar to make plum jelly, mix plum juice with vanilla ice cream to make a unique plum ice cream, or add plum juice to a pudding base to make a plum-flavored pudding. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Frozen food for extracting plum juice 2 Packaging container 3 mixture 21 Stopper 22 Mouth 23 Container body 31 Plum Fruit 32 Sweeteners S001 1st process S002 2nd process S003 3rd process S004 4th process S005 5th process

Claims

1. This frozen food for extracting plum juice is characterized in that the plum fruit and the sweetener are frozen and packed in a packaging container having a plug and a resin container body with a mouth part detachable from the plug in a state before the plum fruit juice is extracted from the plum fruit by permeating the plum fruit and the sweetener into each other.

2. 2. The frozen food for extracting plum juice according to claim 1, wherein the sweetener is any one of sugar, honey, and maple syrup.

3. 3. The frozen food for plum juice extraction according to claim 2, wherein the weight of the plum fruit is taken as 1, and the ratio of the plum fruit to the sweetener is in the range of 1:0.8 to 1.2 by weight.

4. This method for producing a frozen food for extracting plum juice comprises a first step of washing the surface of harvested plum fruits, a second step of immersing the washed plum fruits in water, a third step of removing the immersed plum fruits and freezing them, a fourth step of mixing the frozen plum fruits and a sweetener in a predetermined weight ratio and filling the mixture into a plastic packaging container, and a fifth step of freezing the packaging container.

5. 5. The method for producing a frozen food for extracting plum juice according to claim 4, wherein the sweetener is any one of sugar, honey, and maple syrup.

6. 6. The method for producing a frozen food for use in extracting plum juice according to claim 5, wherein the weight of the plum fruit is taken as 1, and the ratio of the plum fruit to the sweetener is in the range of 1:0.8 to 1.2 by weight.

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