Edible beads

Abstract

The present invention relates to an edible bead comprising an outer polysaccharide gel membrane and a filling, the filling comprising at least one starch, at least one gum and at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a coffee, tea extract, non dairy creamer, coffee substitute, fruit derived ingredient and combinations thereof, wherein the filling has a total solids content of no more than 20wt.% by weight of the filling. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the edible bead and a product comprising the edible bead.

Description

[0001] EDIBLE BEADS

[0002] Technical Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to edible beads. In particular, the present invention relates to edible beads having a low solids content of no more than 20wt.%.

[0004] Background to the Invention

[0005] It is known to encapsulate one or more food ingredients in edible beads to provide a more interesting in mouth sensorial consumer experience.

[0006] Moreover, it is known to incorporate one or more edible beads in beverage products and food products. However, typically, existing edible beads for incorporation beverage products or food products have a high solids content of greater than 20wt.%.

[0007] This high solids content may lead to the filling of the bead being more solid in nature and thus having a thicker chewier texture, which may not be desirable for all consumers. Additionally, a high solids content edible bead may have a reduced “burst” sensation upon biting into the bead and / or have increased sugar in order to increase the solids content of the edible beads.

[0008] Moreover, a bead having a high solids content demonstrates reduced stability when incorporated into beverage products having a lower solids content than the edible bead. This is thought to be due to the increased concentration gradient between the filling of the edible bead and the surrounding beverage product.

[0009] However, there exists several challenges in manufacturing a low solids content edible bead, such as ensuring a spherical shape, sufficient mouthfeel, texture and / or taste of the edible bead, together with ensuring adequate formation of the edible bead during manufacture. For example, the low solid content of the solutions during formation results in a low density, which typically prevents adequate bead formation due to floating of the dropped solution upon mixing. Moreover, the rheology of the dropped solution must be carefully considered such that it can withstand the dosing method and higher dosing speeds without compromising bead formation.

[0010] Consequently, there exists a need to provide edible beads and methods of manufacturing edible beads having a filling comprising a low solids content. It is also an aim of the present invention to provide an edible bead having a filling comprising a low solids content without compromising the mouthfeel, texture, shape and / or taste of the edible bead.

[0011] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an edible bead and / or a food or beverage product comprising one or more edible beads that addresses at least one disadvantage of the prior art or to provide an alternative to existing edible beads and / or a food or beverage product comprising one or more edible beads.

[0012] It is therefore an aim of embodiments of the invention to overcome or mitigate at least one problem of the prior art, whether disclosed herein or not.

[0013] Summary of the Invention

[0014] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an edible bead comprising an outer polysaccharide gel membrane and a filling, the filling comprising at least one starch, at least one gum and at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a coffee, tea extract, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute, fruit derived ingredient and combinations thereof, wherein the filling has a total solids content of no more than 20wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0015] The inventors surprisingly found that the inclusion of both a starch and gum in the filling increased the viscosity of the filling and improved the rheology of the filling. This allowed a reduction in the solids content of the filling whilst still ensuring formation of a spherical edible bead during manufacture.

[0016] For example, the inventors found that the particular combination of starch and gum was particularly effective in modifying the rheology of the solutions to support adequate edible bead formation, particularly under high dosing speeds, which are beneficial in adequate edible bead formation at lower solids content. Specifically, this combination enabled a controlled increase in viscosity sufficient to withstand the higher shear forces encountered during dosing, while also imparting desirable thixotropic behaviour. The thixotropy allowed the solution to temporarily thin under shear experienced during dosing, such as when dropping the solution, and then recover its viscosity to support bead integrity post-dosing. The inventors found that In low-solids systems where density and structural cohesion are typically insufficient, the synergistic interaction between the starch and gum provided the necessary viscosity and network formation to enable stable, uniform edible bead formation even at reduced solids content.

[0017] Additionally, the inventors found that the provision of an edible bead having a filling with a total solids content of no more than 20wt.% can provide a greater “burst sensation” and benefit from improved stability when stored in a beverage product with a lower solids content. This is beneficial as conventional beverage products typically comprise a low solids content and thus the edible beads of the present invention can be used in a wider variety of beverage products.

[0018] By “edible bead” it is meant an edible composition comprising a filling encapsulated by an outer gel membrane.

[0019] By “coffee substitute” it is meant herein an ingredient which is able to provide a similar sensory experience to coffee, such as a similar taste, aroma and / or appearance.

[0020] By “fruit derived ingredient” it is meant herein any ingredient that is obtained and / or extracted from a fruit.

[0021] The filling may have a total solids content of no more than 19.75 wt.%, 19.5 wt.%, 19.25 wt.%, 19 wt.%, 18.75 wt.%, 18.5 wt.%, 18.25 wt.%, 18 wt.%, 17.75 wt.%,

[0022] 17.5 wt.%, 17.25 wt.%, 17 wt.%, 16.75 wt.%, 16.5 wt.%, 16.25 wt.%, 16 wt.%, 15.75 wt.%, 15.5 wt.%, 15.25 wt.%, 15 wt.%, 14.75 wt.%, 14.5 wt.%, 14.25 wt.%, 14 wt.%,

[0023] 13.75 wt.%, 13.5 wt.%, 13.25 wt.%, 13 wt.%, 12.75 wt.%, 12.5 wt.%, 12.25 wt.%, 12 wt.%, 11.75 wt.%, 11.5 wt.%, 11.25 wt.%, 11 wt.%, 10.75 wt.%, 10.5 wt.%, 10.25 wt.%, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or no more than 3.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0024] The filling may have a total solids content of from 3.5-20wt.%, 4-20wt.%, 4.5- 20wt.%, 5-20wt.%, 5.5-20, 6-20wt.%, 6.5-20wt.%, 7.0-20wt.%, 7.5 - 20 wt.%, 7.75 -

[0025] 19.75 wt.%, 8 - 19.5 wt.%, 8.25 - 19.25 wt.%, 8.5 - 19 wt.%, 8.75 - 18.75 wt.%, 9 -

[0026] 18.5 wt.%, 9.25 - 18.25 wt.%, 9.5 - 18 wt.%, 9.75 - 17.75 wt.%, 10 - 17.5 wt.%, 10 - 17.25 wt.%, 10 - 17 wt.%, 10 - 16.75 wt.%, 10 - 16.5 wt.%, 10 - 16.25 wt.%, 10 - 16 wt.%, 10 - 15.75 wt.%, 10 - 15.5 wt.%, 10 - 15.25 wt.%, 10 - 15 wt.%, 3.5-15wt.%, 4.0- 15wt.%, 4.5-15wt.%, 5-15wt.%, 5.5-15wt.%, 6-15wt.%, 6.5-15wt.%, 7.0-15wt.%, 7.5 - 15 wt.%, 3.5 - 14.75 wt.%, 4.0 - 14.75 wt.%, 4.5 - 14.75 wt.%, 5 - 14.75 wt.%, 5 - 14.5 wt.%, 3.5 - 14.25 wt.%, 3.5 - 14 wt.%, 3.5 - 13.75 wt.%, 3.5 - 13.5 wt.%, 3.5 - 13.25 wt.%, 3.5 - 13 wt.%, 3.5 - 12.75 wt.%, 3.5 - 12.5 wt.%, 5 - 14.5 wt.%, 4.0 - 14.25 wt.%, 4.0 - 14 wt.%, 4.0 - 13.75 wt.%, 4.0 - 13.5 wt.%, 4.0 - 13.25 wt.%, 4.0 - 13 wt.%, 4.0 - 12.75 wt.%, 4.0 - 12.5 wt.%, 5 - 14.5 wt.%, 4.5 - 14.25 wt.%, 4.5 - 14 wt.%, 4.5 - 13.75 wt.%, 4.5 - 13.5 wt.%, 4.5 - 13.25 wt.%, 4.5 - 13 wt.%, 4.5 - 12.75 wt.%, 4.5 -

[0027] 12.5 wt.%, 5 - 14.5 wt.%, 5 - 14.25 wt.%, 5 - 14 wt.%, 5 - 13.75 wt.%, 5 - 13.5 wt.%, 5 - 13.25 wt.%, 5 - 13 wt.%, 5 - 12.75 wt.%, 5 - 12.5 wt.%, 7.5 - 14.75 wt.%, 7.5 - 14.5 wt.%, 7.5 - 14.25 wt.%, 7.5 - 14 wt.%, 7.5 - 13.75 wt.%, 7.5 - 13.5 wt.%, 7.5 - 13.25 wt.%, 7.5 - 13 wt.%, 7.5 - 12.75 wt.%, 7.5 - 12.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0028] Preferably, the filling may have a total solids content of from 3.5-20wt.%, 3.5- 17.5wt.%, most preferably 3.5-15wt.%.

[0029] By "starch" it is meant herein any naturally derived or modified carbohydrate- based thickening agent capable of increasing the viscosity of a solution.

[0030] In one embodiment, the starch may be a hydrocolloid. The hydrocolloid starch may be capable of swelling or dissolving in water.

[0031] In such embodiments, the starch may be in a gelatinised form. The starch may be selected from the group consisting of tapioca starch, corn starch, potato starch, arrowroot starch, cassava starch, rice starch, wheat starch, sweet potato starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), quinoa starch, barley starch, sorghum starch, oat starch, legume starch, bean starch, lentil starch, pea starch, chickpea starch, banana starch, rye starch and combinations thereof.

[0032] The starch may be a native starch or modified starch. Modified starch refers to native starch which has been modified to change the gelatinisation characteristics

[0033] Preferably, the starch is a tapioca starch.

[0034] The starch may be present in an amount of at least 0.1 wt.%, 0.2 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, or at least 2 wt.% by weight of the filling. The starch may be present in no more than 4 wt.%, 3.9 wt.%, 3.8 wt.%, 3.7 wt.%, 3.6 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%, 3.4 wt.%, 3.3 wt.%, 3.2 wt.%, 3.1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%, 2.4 wt.%, 2.3 wt.%, 2.2 wt.%, 2.1 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.4 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%,

[0035] 1.1 wt.%, 1 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0036] In some embodiments, the starch may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 4 wt.%, 0.1 - 3.9 wt.%, 0.2 - 3.8 wt.%, 0.3 - 3.7 wt.%, 0.4 - 3.6 wt.%, 0.5 - 3.5 wt.%, 0.6

[0037] - 3.4 wt.%, 0.7 - 3.3 wt.%, 0.8 - 3.2 wt.%, 0.9 - 3.1 wt.%, 1 - 3 wt.%, 1 - 2.9 wt.%, 1 - 2.8 wt.%, 1 - 2.7 wt.%, 1 - 2.6 wt.%, 1 - 2.5 wt.%, 1 - 2.4 wt.%, 1 - 2.3 wt.%, 1 - 2.2 wt.%, 1 - 2.1 wt.%, 1 - 2 wt.%, 1 - 1.9 wt.%, 1 - 1.8 wt.%, 1 - 1.7 wt.%, 1 - 1.6 wt.%, 1

[0038] - 1.5 wt.%, 1 - 1.4 wt.%, 1 - 1.3 wt.%, 1 - 1.2 wt.%, 1 - 1.1 wt.%, 1.1 - 2 wt.%, 1.1 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.1 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.1 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.1 - 1.6 wt.%, 1.1 - 1.5 wt.%, 1.1 - 1.4 wt.%, 1.1

[0039] - 1.3 wt.%, 1.1 - 1.2 wt.%, 1.2 - 2 wt.%, 1.2 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.2 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.2 - 1.7 wt.%,

[0040] 1.2 - 1.6 wt.%, 1.2 - 1.5 wt.%, 1.2 - 1.4 wt.%, 1.2 - 1.3 wt.%, 1.3 - 2 wt.%, 1.3 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.3 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.3 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.3 - 1.6 wt.%, 1.3 - 1.5 wt.%, 1.3 - 1.4 wt.%, 1.4

[0041] - 2 wt.%, 1.4 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.4 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.4 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.4 - 1.6 wt.%, 1.4 - 1.5 wt.%,

[0042] 1.5 - 2 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.6 wt.%, 1.6 - 2 wt.%,

[0043] 1.6 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.7 - 2 wt.%, 1.7 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.7 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.8 - 2 wt.%, 1.8 - 1.9 wt.%, or from 1.9 - 2 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0044] Preferably, the starch may be present in an amount of from 0.1-4 wt.%, 1-3 wt.%, or most preferably l-2wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0045] By the term “gum” it is meant herein any water-soluble or dispersible polysaccharide hydrocolloid capable of increasing viscosity, stabilizing emulsions or suspensions, and / or forming gels or networks in aqueous systems either alone or in combination with the starch.

[0046] The inventors found the combination of a gum and a starch provides a synergistic effect, wherein the interaction between the two components results in enhanced gel formation, improved network strength, and / or greater stability in aqueous systems compared to the use of either component alone. The gum may be selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, agar, carrageenan, Arabic gum, konjac gum, cellulose gum, and combination thereof.

[0047] In one embodiment, the filling may comprise at least one starch selected from the group consisting of tapioca starch, com starch, potato starch, arrowroot starch, cassava starch, rice starch, wheat starch, sweet potato starch, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), quinoa starch, barley starch, sorghum starch, oat starch, legume starch, bean starch, lentil starch, pea starch, chickpea starch, banana starch, rye starch and combinations thereof, and at least one gum selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, agar, carrageenan, Arabic gum, konjac gum, cellulose gum, and combination thereof.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the filling may comprise a tapioca starch and a xanthan gum.

[0049] The gum may be present in an amount of at least 0.1 wt.%, 0.11 wt.%, 0.12 wt.%, 0.13 wt.%, 0.14 wt.%, 0.15 wt.%, 0.16 wt.%, 0.17 wt.%, 0.18 wt.%, 0.19 wt.%, 0.2 wt.%, 0.21 wt.%, 0.22 wt.%, 0.23 wt.%, 0.24 wt.%, 0.25 wt.%, 0.26 wt.%, 0.27 wt.%, 0.28 wt.%, 0.29 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, 0.31 wt.%, 0.32 wt.%, 0.33 wt.%, 0.34 wt.%, 0.35 wt.%, 0.36 wt.%, 0.37 wt.%, 0.38 wt.%, 0.39 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, 0.41 wt.%, 0.42 wt.%, 0.43 wt.%, 0.44 wt.%, 0.45 wt.%, 0.46 wt.%, 0.47 wt.%, 0.48 wt.%, 0.49 wt.%, or at least 0.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0050] The gum may be present in an amount of no more than 0.7 wt.%, 0.69 wt.%, 0.68 wt.%, 0.67 wt.%, 0.66 wt.%, 0.65 wt.%, 0.64 wt.%, 0.63 wt.%, 0.62 wt.%, 0.61 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.59 wt.%, 0.58 wt.%, 0.57 wt.%, 0.56 wt.%, 0.55 wt.%, 0.54 wt.%, 0.53 wt.%, 0.52 wt.%, 0.51 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 0.49 wt.%, 0.48 wt.%, 0.47 wt.%, 0.46 wt.%, 0.45 wt.%, 0.44 wt.%, 0.43 wt.%, 0.42 wt.%, 0.41 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, 0.39 wt.%, 0.38 wt.%, 0.37 wt.%, 0.36 wt.%, 0.35 wt.%, 0.34 wt.%, 0.33 wt.%, 0.32 wt.%, 0.31 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, 0.29 wt.%, 0.28 wt.%, 0.27 wt.%, 0.26 wt.%, or no more than 0.25 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0051] The gum may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 0.7 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.69 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.68 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.67 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.66 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.65 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.64 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.63 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.62 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.61 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.6 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.59 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.58 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.57 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.56 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.55 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.54 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.53 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.52 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.51 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.5 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.45 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.4 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.35 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.3 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.25 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.2 wt.%, 0.1 - 0.15 wt.%, 0.15 - 0.5 wt.%, 0.15 - 0.45 wt.%, 0.15 - 0.4 wt.%, 0.15 - 0.35 wt.%, 0.15 - 0.3 wt.%, 0.15 - 0.25 wt.%, 0.15 - 0.2 wt.%, 0.2 - 0.5 wt.%, 0.2 - 0.45 wt.%, 0.2 - 0.4 wt.%, 0.2 - 0.35 wt.%, 0.2 - 0.3 wt.%, 0.2 - 0.25 wt.%, 0.25 - 0.5 wt.%, 0.25 - 0.45 wt.%, 0.25 - 0.4 wt.%, 0.25 - 0.35 wt.%, 0.25 - 0.3 wt.%, 0.3 - 0.5 wt.%, 0.3 - 0.45 wt.%, 0.3 - 0.4 wt.%, 0.3 - 0.35 wt.%, 0.35 - 0.5 wt.%, 0.35 - 0.45 wt.%, 0.35 - 0.4 wt.%, 0.4 - 0.5 wt.%, 0.4

[0052] - 0.45 wt.%, or from 0.45 - 0.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0053] Preferably, the gum may be present in an amount of from 0.1-0.7wt.%, 0.1- 0.6wt.%, 0.1-0.5wt.%, 0.1-0.3wt.%. or most preferably from 0.1-0.2 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0054] In some embodiments, the filling may comprise coffee.

[0055] The coffee may be a liquid coffee, a liquid coffee concentrate, an instant soluble coffee, spray dried coffee, freeze dried coffee, a blend of freeze dried soluble coffee, roast and ground coffee, and / or microground roast and ground coffee.

[0056] The incorporation of a coffee ingredient into the beads may provide a more authentic coffee taste. Moreover, the use of a coffee ingredient may lower the pH of the filling, thereby increasing preservation time of the filling. It has also been observed that the use of a coffee ingredient may increase the viscosity of the filling.

[0057] The coffee ingredient may be derived from roast and ground coffee.

[0058] In some embodiments, the roast and ground coffee may be derived from pure Arabica whole coffee beans.

[0059] In some embodiments, the roast and ground coffee may be derived from pure Robusta whole coffee beans.

[0060] In other embodiments, the roast and ground coffee may be derived from a mixture of Arabica and Robusta whole coffee beans.

[0061] In one embodiment, the filling may comprise a coffee substitute. The coffee substitute may be derived from an ingredient selected from the group consisting of a cereal, legume, root, fruit, nut, seed, mushroom and combinations thereof.

[0062] The cereal may be selected from the group consisting of barley, wheat, rice, oat, spelt, rye and combinations thereof.

[0063] The legume may be selected from the group consisting of chickpeas, lupin, soybean, and combinations thereof.

[0064] The root may be selected from the group consisting of chicory root, dandelion root, Jerusalem artichoke, burdock root, carob root, combinations thereof.

[0065] The fruit may be selected from the group consisting of fig, blackcurrant, cascara and combinations thereof.

[0066] The nut or seed may be selected from the group consisting of acorn, carob, guarana, hemp seed, date seeds, hazelnut, walnut, peanut, almond, chestnut and combinations thereof.

[0067] The mushroom may be selected from the group consisting of chaga mushroom, lion’s mane mushroom, reishi mushroom, cordyceps mushroom, maitake mushroom, shiitake mushroom, and combinations thereof.

[0068] The coffee substitute may be derived from a non-tropical ingredient.

[0069] The filling may comprise more than one coffee substitute. In some embodiments, the filling may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten different coffee substitutes.

[0070] In some embodiments, the filling may comprise a plurality of coffee substitutes.

[0071] In one embodiment, the coffee substitute may comprise caffeine.

[0072] In some embodiments, the coffee substitute may not comprise caffeine.

[0073] In some embodiments, the coffee substitute may be provided with one or more additives. The additives may be caffeine and / or a natural aroma selected from the group consisting of vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, chocolate, maple, coconut, orange zest, ginger, peppermint, almond, hazelnut, and combinations thereof.

[0074] Beneficially, the use of a coffee substitute allows the filling to provide a sensory experience similar to coffee, whilst catering to individuals with different preferences. For example, many of the above coffee substitutes are caffeine free, provide a more diverse flavouring, provide one or more health benefits, such as containing antioxidants or anti-inflammatory properties, and / or have reduced acidity.

[0075] The coffee substitute and / or coffee ingredient may be present in an amount of at least 0.1 wt.%, 0.2 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 2.1 wt.%, 2.2 wt.%, 2.3 wt.%, 2.4 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%,

[0076] 2.6 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, or at least 3 wt.%, by weight of the filling.

[0077] In some embodiments, the coffee substitute and / or coffee ingredient may be present in an amount of no more than 5 wt.%, 4.9 wt.%, 4.8 wt.%, 4.7 wt.%, 4.6 wt.%,

[0078] 4.5 wt.%, 4.4 wt.%, 4.3 wt.%, 4.2 wt.%, 4.1 wt.%, 4 wt.%, 3.9 wt.%, 3.8 wt.%, 3.7 wt.%, 3.6 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%, 3.4 wt.%, 3.3 wt.%, 3.2 wt.%, 3.1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%,

[0079] 2.8 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, or no more than 2.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0080] In some embodiments, the coffee substitute and / or coffee ingredient may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 5 wt.%, 0.1 - 4.9 wt.%, 0.2 - 4.8 wt.%, 0.3 - 4.7 wt.%, 0.4 - 4.6 wt.%, 0.5 - 4.5 wt.%, 0.6 - 4.4 wt.%, 0.7 - 4.3 wt.%, 0.8 - 4.2 wt.%, 0.9

[0081] - 4.1 wt.%, 1 - 4 wt.%, 1.1 - 3.9 wt.%, 1.2 - 3.8 wt.%, 1.3 - 3.7 wt.%, 1.4 - 3.6 wt.%,

[0082] 1.5 - 3.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.4 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.3 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.2 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.1 wt.%, 1.5 - 3 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.5 -

[0083] 2.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.5 - 2 wt.%,

[0084] 1.5 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.6 - 3 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.6

[0085] - 2.2 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.6 - 2 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.7 wt.%,

[0086] 1.7 - 3 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.7 - 2 wt.%, 1.7 -

[0087] 1.9 wt.%, 1.7 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.8 - 3 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.8 - 2 wt.%, 1.8 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.9 - 3 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.2 wt.%,

[0088] 1.9 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.9 - 2 wt.%, 2 - 3 wt.%, 2 - 2.9 wt.%, 2 - 2.8 wt.%, 2 - 2.7 wt.%, 2 - 2.6 wt.%, 2 - 2.5 wt.%, 2 - 2.4 wt.%, 2 - 2.3 wt.%, 2 - 2.2 wt.%, 2 - 2.1 wt.%, 2.1 - 3 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.4 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.3 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.2 wt.%, 2.2 - 3 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.4 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.3 wt.%, 2.3 - 3 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.4 wt.%, 2.4 - 3 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.4 -

[0089] 2.5 wt.%, 2.5 - 3 wt.%, 2.5 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.5 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.5 - 2.7 wt.%, or from 2.5 - 2.6 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0090] Preferably, the coffee substitute and / or coffee ingredient may be present in an amount of from 0.1-5wt.%, l-4wt.%, 1.5-3wt.%, more preferably from 2-3wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0091] The filling may have total dissolved coffee solids amount of at least 0.5 %, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1%, 1.1%, 1.2%, 1.3%, 1.4%, 1.5%, 1.6%, 1.7%, 1.8%, 1.9%, 2%, 2.1%, 2.2%, 2.3%, 2.4%, 2.5%, 2.6%, 2.7%, 2.8%, 2.9%, 3%, 3.1%, 3.2%, 3.3%, 3.4%, 3.5%, 3.6%, 3.7%, 3.8%, 3.9%, 4%, 4.1%, 4.2%, 4.3%, 4.4%, 4.5%, 4.6%, 4.7%, 4.8%, 4.9%, 5%

[0092] The filling may have total dissolved coffee solids amount of no more than 6%, 5.9%, 5.8%, 5.7%, 5.6%, 5.5%, 5.4%, 5.3%, 5.2%, 5.1%, 5.0%, 4.9%, 4.8%, 4.7%, 4.6%, 4.5%, 4.4%, 4.3%, 4.2%, 4.1%, 4.0%, 3.9%, 3.8%, 3.7%, 3.6%, 3.5%, 3.4%, 3.3%, 3.2%, 3.1% or no more than 3.0%.

[0093] Preferably, the filling may have total dissolved coffee solids amount of 1.0 - 7.0%, 1 - 7.0%, 1.5 - 7.0%, 1.5 - 6.0%, 1.5 - 5.5%, 1.5 - 5.0%, 1.5 - 5.0%, 1.5 - 4.5%,

[0094] 1.5 - 4.0%, 1.5 - 3.5%, or 1.5 - 3.0%, or from 1.5 - 2.5%.

[0095] The total amount of caffeine in the filling may be at least 0.01wt.%, 0.02wt.%, 0.03wt.%, 0.04 wt.%, 0.05wt.% by weight of the filling. The total amount of caffeine in the filling may be no more than 0.15wt.%, 0.14wt.%, 0.13wt.%, 0.12wt.%, 0.11wt.%, 0.10wt.%, 0.09wt.%, 0.08 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0096] The total amount of caffeine in the filling may be from 0-0.15wt.%, 0-0.14wt.%, 0-0.13wt.%, 0-0.12wt.%, 0-0.11wt.%, 0-0.10wt.%, 0-0.09wt.%, or 0-0.08wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0097] In some embodiments, the filling may comprise a non-dairy creamer.

[0098] In such embodiments, the filling may comprise a fat in an amount of at least 0.1 wt.%, 0.2 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 2.1 wt.%, 2.2 wt.%, 2.3 wt.%, 2.4 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%,

[0099] 2.7 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, or at least 3 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0100] In some embodiments, fat may be present in an amount of no more than 5 wt.%, 4.9 wt.%, 4.8 wt.%, 4.7 wt.%, 4.6 wt.%, 4.5 wt.%, 4.4 wt.%, 4.3 wt.%, 4.2 wt.%, 4.1 wt.%, 4 wt.%, 3.9 wt.%, 3.8 wt.%, 3.7 wt.%, 3.6 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%, 3.4 wt.%, 3.3 wt.%, 3.2 wt.%, 3.1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, or no more than

[0101] 2.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0102] In some embodiments, the fat may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 5 wt.%, 0.1 - 4.9 wt.%, 0.2 - 4.8 wt.%, 0.3 - 4.7 wt.%, 0.4 - 4.6 wt.%, 0.5 - 4.5 wt.%, 0.6 - 4.4 wt.%, 0.7 - 4.3 wt.%, 0.8 - 4.2 wt.%, 0.9 - 4.1 wt.%, 1 - 4 wt.%, 1.1 - 3.9 wt.%, 1.2 -

[0103] 3.8 wt.%, 1.3 - 3.7 wt.%, 1.4 - 3.6 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.4 wt.%,

[0104] 1.5 - 3.3 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.2 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.1 wt.%, 1.5 - 3 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.5

[0105] - 2.2 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.5 - 2 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.7 wt.%,

[0106] 1.6 - 3 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.6 - 2 wt.%, 1.6 -

[0107] 1.9 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.7 - 3 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.8 wt.%,

[0108] 1.7 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.7 - 2 wt.%, 1.7 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.7 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.8 - 3 wt.%, 1.8 -

[0109] 2.9 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.4 wt.%,

[0110] 1.8 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.8 - 2 wt.%, 1.8 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.9 - 3 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.9 - 2 wt.%, 2 - 3 wt.%, 2 - 2.9 wt.%, 2 - 2.8 wt.%, 2 - 2.7 wt.%, 2 - 2.6 wt.%, 2 - 2.5 wt.%, 2 - 2.4 wt.%, 2 - 2.3 wt.%,

[0111] 2 - 2.2 wt.%, 2 - 2.1 wt.%, 2.1 - 3 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.7 wt.%,

[0112] 2.1 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.4 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.3 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.2 wt.%, 2.2 - 3 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.2

[0113] - 2.4 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.3 wt.%, 2.3 - 3 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.7 wt.%,

[0114] 2.3 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.4 wt.%, 2.4 - 3 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.5 - 3 wt.%, 2.5 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.5 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.5 - 2.7 wt.%, or from 2.5 - 2.6 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0115] Preferably, the fat may be present in an amount of from 0.1-5wt.%, l-4wt.%, 1.5-3wt.%, more preferably from 2-3wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0116] "Non-dairy creamer" refers to a product that replicates the mouthfeel and / or flavour of dairy milk and comprises a fat.

[0117] The non-dairy creamer may contain from about 0.1-95, 10-95, 15-95, 20-95, 25- 95, 30-95, 35-95, 40-95, 45-95, 50-95, 55-95, 60-95, 65-95, 70-95, 75-95, 80-95, 85- 95, 80-90, 85-90 wt.% of fats by weight of the non-dairy creamer.

[0118] The fat may be a vegetable fat.

[0119] The vegetable fat may be derived from a coconut, cocoa bean, palm fruit, sunflower seeds, soybean seeds, palm kernel, cotton seeds, canola seeds, olives, safflower seeds, or any combination thereof.

[0120] Preferably, the vegetable fat is derived from a coconut.

[0121] The vegetable fat may be a vegetable oil and / or a vegetable butter.

[0122] The vegetable oil may be a partially or wholly hydrogenated oil.

[0123] The vegetable oil may be a refined oil.

[0124] The vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may comprise 50-100 wt.%, more preferably 70-100 wt.% and most preferably 90-100 wt.% of triglycerides. The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a lauric acid content of from about 5-60, 25-60, 40-60, or 40-50wt.%, by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0125] The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a palmitic acid content of from about 1-45, 1-40, 1-30, 1-20, 1-15, or l-10wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0126] The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a myristic acid content of from about 2-30, 5-30, 5-25, 5-20, or 10-20wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0127] The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a stearic acid content of from about 0.1-40, 0.1-35, or l-3wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0128] The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a linoleic acid content of from about 0.1-10, 0.5-5, or l-3wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0129] The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a caprylic acid content of from 1-30, 1-25, 1-20, 1-15, 1-10, 2-10, 3-10, 4-10, or 5- 10wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0130] The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a capric acid content of from 1-30, 1-25, 1-20, 1-15, 1-10, 2-10, 3-10, 4-10, or 5-10wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0131] The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have an oleic acid content of from 1-40, 1-25, 1-20, 1-15, 1-10, 1-8, or 2-8wt.%, by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0132] The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a lauric acid content of from about 5-60wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a palmitic acid content of from about l-45wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; and a myristic acid content of from about 2-30wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content. The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a lauric acid content of from 40-50wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a palmitic acid content of from l-10wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; and a myristic acid content of from 10-20wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0133] The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a stearic acid content of from about 0.1-40wt.%, by weight of the total fatty acid content; a palmitic acid content of from about l-45wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; and an oleic acid content of from about 2-40wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0134] The triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a stearic acid content of from about 30-40wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a palmitic acid content of from about 20-30wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; and an oleic acid content of from about 30-40wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0135] In some embodiments, the triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter may have a lauric acid content of from about 5-60wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a palmitic acid content of from about l-45wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a myristic acid content of from about 2-30wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a stearic acid content of from about 0.1-5wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a linoleic acid content of from about 0.1-10wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a caprylic acid content of from l-30wt.%, by weight of the total fatty acid content; a capric acid content of from l-30wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; and an oleic acid content of from l-30wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0136] Preferably, the triglycerides of the vegetable oil and / or vegetable butter have a lauric acid content of from 40-50wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a palmitic acid content of from l-10wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a myristic acid content of from 10-20wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a stearic acid content of from l-3wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a linoleic acid content of from l-3wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; a caprylic acid content of from 5-10wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; capric acid content of from 5-10wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content; and an oleic acid content of from 2-8wt.% by weight of the total fatty acid content.

[0137] The vegetable butter may be soybean butter, coconut butter, palm butter, canola butter, sunflower butter, and other butters, or a combination thereof.

[0138] The vegetable oil may be soybean oil, coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, cotton seed oil, canola oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil and other oils, or a combination thereof.

[0139] Preferably, the vegetable oil is a coconut oil. More preferably, the vegetable oil is a refined coconut oil.

[0140] The non-dairy creamer may also include an emulsifier.

[0141] In such an embodiment, the emulsifier may be present in an amount of no more than 1 wt.% by weight of the filling or no more than 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.09, 0.08, 0.07, 0.06, 0.05, 0.04, 0.03, 0.02, or no more than 0.01 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0142] In some embodiments, the emulsifier may be present in an amount of 0.01-1 wt.% by weight of the filling, or 0.02-1, 0.03-1, 0.04-0.9, 0.05-0.8 0.06-0.7, 0.07-0.6, 0.08-0.5, 0.09-0.4, 0.1-0.3, or 0.1-0.2wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0143] The emulsifier may be a monoglyceride, diglyceride, lecithin, diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono-diglycerides (DATEM), stearoyl lactylates, modified food starches, polysorbates, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, PGA, and mixtures thereof.

[0144] The non-dairy creamer may contain from about 0.1-10, 0.2-10, 0.3-10, 0.4-10, 0.5-10, 0.5-8, 0.5-5, 0.6-5, 0.7-5, 0.8-5, 0.9-5, 1-5, 1.5-4, 1.5-3.5, 2-3.5, 2-3wt.% of an emulsifier by weight of the non-dairy creamer.

[0145] The non-dairy creamer may be a liquid, powder, gel, and / or emulsion.

[0146] Preferably, the non-dairy creamer is an emulsion.

[0147] The filling may comprise a tea extract.

[0148] The tea extract may be caffeinated and / or decaffeinated. The tea extract may be an extraction produced from the leaves of any part of a tea plant.

[0149] The plant may be selected from the group consisting of fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, tea, vegetables and spices, including mixtures thereof, such as, for example, mixtures of herbs, vegetables and / or spices.

[0150] The fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, tea, vegetables and spices may be selected from example selected from artemisia, balm, basil, chai, chamomile, chive, cloves, coriander, dill, garlic, ginger, ginseng, gingko, jasmine, lavender, matcha, mint, orange blossom, oregano, persil, rooibos, rosa centifolia, rosemary, thyme, turmeric, sage, pepper, chili pepper, rose, stevia rebaudiana, tarragon, white tea, yellow tea, green tea, oolong tea, black tea, pu-erh tea, vanilla, red or green vine, violet and / or willow.

[0151] The tea extract may also comprise added aromas, fruit parts and spices.

[0152] The tea extract may be black tea, white tea, fruit tea, green tea, rooibos tea, oolong tea, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, ginger tea, cinnamon tea, lemongrass tea, rosemary tea, pu-erh tea, olive leaf tea, barley tea, liquorice tea, eucalyptus tea, gingko tea, sage tea, raspberry tea, valerian root tea, elderberry flower tea, lavender tea, turmeric tea, purple tea, pine needle tea, echinacea tea, honeybush tea, rose tea, jasmine tea, cranberry tea, dandelion tea, guava tea, thyme tea, matcha tea, chai tea, lemon balm tea, and any mixture thereof.

[0153] The tea extract may be in the form of a liquid tea extract, infusion, an instant soluble tea extract, spray dried tea extract, freeze dried tea extract, and / or a blend of freeze dried soluble tea extract.

[0154] Preferably, the tea extract is in the form of a liquid tea extract.

[0155] The liquid tea extract may be a liquid tea extract concentrate.

[0156] The use of a liquid tea extract lowers the pH of the filling, thereby increasing preservation time of the filling. It has also been observed that the use of a liquid tea extract filling may increase the viscosity of the filling.

[0157] The liquid tea extract may be a liquid tea extract concentrate. The tea extract may be prepared from green tea leaves, mint leaves, black tea leaves and lemon balm leaves.

[0158] The tea extract may be present in an amount of at least 0.1 wt.%, 0.2 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%,

[0159] 1.2 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 2.1 wt.%, 2.2 wt.%, 2.3 wt.%, 2.4 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, or at least 3 wt.%, by weight of the filling.

[0160] In some embodiments, the tea extract may be present in an amount of no more than 5 wt.%, 4.9 wt.%, 4.8 wt.%, 4.7 wt.%, 4.6 wt.%, 4.5 wt.%, 4.4 wt.%, 4.3 wt.%,

[0161] 4.2 wt.%, 4.1 wt.%, 4 wt.%, 3.9 wt.%, 3.8 wt.%, 3.7 wt.%, 3.6 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%, 3.4 wt.%, 3.3 wt.%, 3.2 wt.%, 3.1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, or no more than 2.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0162] In some embodiments, the tea extract may be present in an amount of from 0.1

[0163] - 5 wt.%, 0.1 - 4.9 wt.%, 0.2 - 4.8 wt.%, 0.3 - 4.7 wt.%, 0.4 - 4.6 wt.%, 0.5 - 4.5 wt.%, 0.6 - 4.4 wt.%, 0.7 - 4.3 wt.%, 0.8 - 4.2 wt.%, 0.9 - 4.1 wt.%, 1 - 4 wt.%, 1.1 - 3.9 wt.%,

[0164] 1.2 - 3.8 wt.%, 1.3 - 3.7 wt.%, 1.4 - 3.6 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.4 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.3 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.2 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.1 wt.%, 1.5 - 3 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.5 -

[0165] 2.8 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.3 wt.%,

[0166] 1.5 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.5 - 2 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.6 - 3 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.6 -

[0167] 2.5 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.6 - 2 wt.%,

[0168] 1.6 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.7 - 3 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.7

[0169] - 2.2 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.7 - 2 wt.%, 1.7 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.7 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.8 - 3 wt.%,

[0170] 1.8 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.8 - 2 wt.%, 1.8 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.9 - 3 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.5 wt.%,

[0171] 1.9 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.9 - 2 wt.%, 2 - 3 wt.%, 2 - 2.9 wt.%, 2 - 2.8 wt.%, 2 - 2.7 wt.%, 2 - 2.6 wt.%, 2 - 2.5 wt.%, 2 - 2.4 wt.%, 2 - 2.3 wt.%, 2 - 2.2 wt.%, 2 - 2.1 wt.%, 2.1 - 3 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.4 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.3 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.2 wt.%, 2.2

[0172] The fruit derived ingredient may be derived from a fruit selected from the group consisting of apple, apricot, avocado, banana, bilberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, cascara, cherry, coconut, cranberry, dragonfruit, elderberry, fig, gooseberry, grape, raisin, grapefruit, guava, jackfruit, juniper berry, kiwifruit, kumquat, lemon, lime, mango, melon, cantaloupe, watermelon, nectarine, orange, blood orange, elementin, mandarine, tangerine, papaya, passionfruit, peach, pear, plum, pineapple, pomegranate, raspberry, satsuma, strawberry, and combinations thereof. The filling may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten fruit derived ingredients.

[0173] In some embodiments, the filling may comprise a plurality of fruit derived ingredients.

[0174] The fruit derived ingredient may be present in an amount of at least 0.1 wt.%, 0.2 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%,

[0175] 1.9 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 2.1 wt.%, 2.2 wt.%, 2.3 wt.%, 2.4 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, or at least 3 wt.%, by weight of the filling.

[0176] In some embodiments, the fruit derived ingredient may be present in an amount of no more than 5 wt.%, 4.9 wt.%, 4.8 wt.%, 4.7 wt.%, 4.6 wt.%, 4.5 wt.%, 4.4 wt.%, 4.3 wt.%, 4.2 wt.%, 4.1 wt.%, 4 wt.%, 3.9 wt.%, 3.8 wt.%, 3.7 wt.%, 3.6 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%, 3.4 wt.%, 3.3 wt.%, 3.2 wt.%, 3.1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%,

[0177] 2.6 wt.%, or no more than 2.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0178] In some embodiments, the fruit derived ingredient may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 5 wt.%, 0.1 - 4.9 wt.%, 0.2 - 4.8 wt.%, 0.3 - 4.7 wt.%, 0.4 - 4.6 wt.%, 0.5 - 4.5 wt.%, 0.6 - 4.4 wt.%, 0.7 - 4.3 wt.%, 0.8 - 4.2 wt.%, 0.9 - 4.1 wt.%, 1 - 4 wt.%, 1.1 - 3.9 wt.%, 1.2 - 3.8 wt.%, 1.3 - 3.7 wt.%, 1.4 - 3.6 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.4 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.3 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.2 wt.%, 1.5 - 3.1 wt.%, 1.5 - 3 wt.%, 1.5 -

[0179] 2.9 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.4 wt.%,

[0180] 1.5 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.5 - 2 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.5 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.6 - 3 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.6 -

[0181] 2.6 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.6 - 2.1 wt.%,

[0182] 1.6 - 2 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.6 - 1.7 wt.%, 1.7 - 3 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.9 wt.%,

[0183] 1.7 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.7 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.7 - 2 wt.%, 1.7 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.7 - 1.8 wt.%, 1.8 - 3 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.5 wt.%,

[0184] 1.8 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.8 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.8 - 2 wt.%, 1.8 - 1.9 wt.%, 1.9 - 3 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.9 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.6 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.4 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.3 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.2 wt.%, 1.9 - 2.1 wt.%, 1.9 - 2 wt.%, 2

[0185] - 3 wt.%, 2 - 2.9 wt.%, 2 - 2.8 wt.%, 2 - 2.7 wt.%, 2 - 2.6 wt.%, 2 - 2.5 wt.%, 2 - 2.4 wt.%, 2 - 2.3 wt.%, 2 - 2.2 wt.%, 2 - 2.1 wt.%, 2.1 - 3 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.4 wt.%, 2.1 - 2.3 wt.%, 2.1

[0186] - 2.2 wt.%, 2.2 - 3 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.4 wt.%, 2.2 - 2.3 wt.%, 2.3 - 3 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.3 - 2.4 wt.%, 2.4 - 3 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.7 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.6 wt.%, 2.4 - 2.5 wt.%, 2.5 - 3 wt.%, 2.5 - 2.9 wt.%, 2.5 - 2.8 wt.%, 2.5 - 2.7 wt.%, or from 2.5 - 2.6 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0187] Preferably, the fruit derived ingredient may be present in an amount of from 0.1 -5wt.%, l-4wt. %, 1.5-3wt.%, more preferably from 2-3wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0188] Beneficially, the incorporation of a fruit derived ingredient in the above amounts provides a more intense fruit flavour.

[0189] In some embodiments, the filling may comprise a sugar.

[0190] By “sugar” it is meant monosaccharides and disaccharides. The sugar may be one or more sugars selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, galactose, lactose, maltose, isomaltose and sugar hydrates (such as dextrose monohydrate, for example), among others.

[0191] The filling may comprise less than 10wt.%, 9wt.%, 8wt.%, 7wt.%, 6wt.%, 5wt.%, 4wt.%, 3wt.%, 2wt.%, lwt.%, 0.9wt.%, 0.8wt.%, 0.7wt.%, 0.6wt.%, 0.5wt.%, 0.4wt.%, 0.3wt.%, 0.2wt.% or less than 0. lwt.% sugars.

[0192] In some embodiments the filling may be essentially free from or free from sugar.

[0193] In some embodiments, the filing may comprise less than 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.5 wt.% sucrose, and comprise substantially no sucrose or no sucrose.

[0194] In some embodiments the filling composition may comprise less than 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.5 wt.% glucose, and comprise substantially no glucose or no glucose.

[0195] The inventors found that combination of ingredients in the filling of the edible bead was able to provide an edible bead having a reduced sugar content whilst still providing an acceptable taste and similar ease of preparation as a “full sugar” edible bead.

[0196] In some embodiments, the filling may comprise at least one soluble dietary fibre.

[0197] By “soluble dietary fibre” it is meant a plant-based or plant-derived carbohydrate, animal-based or animal derived fibre that is not digested in the small intestine and is soluble in water. Soluble dietary fibres are differentiated from insoluble dietary fibres which are not soluble in water.

[0198] The inventors found that incorporating at least one soluble dietary fibre ingredient into the edible bead was able to reduce the amount of sugars and calories of the edible bead whilst still providing an acceptable taste and similar ease of preparation as a “full sugar” edible bead. Moreover, the inclusion of soluble dietary fibre into the edible beads allows the beads to supplement a consumers daily dietary fibre intake.

[0199] The at least one soluble dietary fibre may comprise at least one dietary fibre selected from the group consisting of inulin, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), levan, polydextrose, kestose, nystose, raffinose, galacto-oligosaccharides, galactotriose, manno-oligosaaccharides, mannotriose, mannotetraose, soy bean oligosaccharides, arabinogalactans, xylo-oligosaccharides, xylotriose, xylotetraose, arabinoxylan- oligosaccharides, arabinotriose, arabinotetraose, milk oligosaccharides, 2’-fucosyl lactose, lacto-n-neotetraose, glucan (i.e., glucose containing) oligosaccharides, cello- oligosaccharides (or cellodex trins), resistant dextrins (e.g., soluble corn fiber, soluble wheat fiber, soluble tapioca fiber, soluble pea fibre), nigero-oligosaccharides, nigerotriose, nigerotetraose, kojitriose, kojitetraose, dextrans, beta glucans, lichenan, isolichenan, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments the further soluble dietary fibre may comprises tapioca fibre and / or pea fibre.

[0200] Preferably, the at least one soluble dietary fibre is inulin, galactooligosaccharide, polydextrose and / or fructooligosaccharide.

[0201] Preferably, the at least one soluble dietary fibre is present in addition to any soluble dietary fibre provided by any other ingredient in the filling. The at least one soluble dietary fibre may be a short chain fibre and / or medium chain fibre.

[0202] The short chain fibre may have a degree of polymerisation of no more than 10, 9, 8,7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or no more than 2.

[0203] In some embodiments, short chain fibre may have a degree of polymerisation of from 2-10, 2-9, or from 2-8.

[0204] The medium chain fibre may have a degree of polymerisation of no more than 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or no more than 15.

[0205] In some embodiments, the medium chain fibre may have a degree of polymerisation of from 8-60, 8-50, 8-40, 8-30, 8-20, 10-60, 15-60, 20-60, 20-50, or from 20-40.

[0206] Preferably, the at least one soluble fibre is a short and / or medium chain inulin.

[0207] The short chain inulin may have a degree of polymerisation of no more than 10, 9, 8,7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or no more than 2.

[0208] In some embodiments, short chain inulin may have a degree of polymerisation of from 2-10, 2-9, or from 2-8.

[0209] The medium chain inulin may have a degree of polymerisation of no more than 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or no more than 15.

[0210] In some embodiments, the medium chain inulin may have a degree of polymerisation of from 8-60, 8-50, 8-40, 8-30, 8-20, 10-60, 15-60, 20-60, 20-50, or from 20-40.

[0211] The at least one soluble dietary fibre may be present in an amount of at least 0.01 wt.%, 0.1 wt.%, 0.2 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, or at least 2 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0212] In some embodiments, the at least one soluble dietary fibre may be present in an amount of no more than 4 wt.%, 3.9 wt.%, 3.8 wt.%, 3.7 wt.%, 3.6 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%, 3.4 wt.%, 3.3 wt.%, 3.2 wt.%, 3.1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%, 2.4 wt.%, 2.3 wt.%, 2.2 wt.%, 2.1 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.4 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, or no more than 0.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0213] In some embodiments, the at least one soluble dietary fibre may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 3 wt.%, 0.1 - 2.75 wt.%, 0.1 - 2.5 wt.%, 0.1 - 2.25 wt.%, 0.1 - 2 wt.%, 0.1 - 1.75 wt.%, 0.1 - 1.5 wt.%, 0.25 - 3 wt.%, 0.25 - 2.75 wt.%, 0.25 - 2.5 wt.%, 0.25 - 2.25 wt.%, 0.25 - 2 wt.%, 0.25 - 1.75 wt.%, 0.25 - 1.5 wt.%, 0.5 - 3 wt.%, 0.5 - 2.75 wt.%, 0.5 - 2.5 wt.%, 0.5 - 2.25 wt.%, 0.5 - 2 wt.%, 0.5 - 1.75 wt.%, 0.5 - 1.5 wt.%, 0.75 - 3 wt.%, 0.75 - 2.75 wt.%, 0.75 - 2.5 wt.%, 0.75 - 2.25 wt.%, 0.75 - 2 wt.%, 0.75 - 1.75 wt.%, 0.75 - 1.5 wt.%, 1 - 3 wt.%, 1 - 2.75 wt.%, 1 - 2.5 wt.%, 1 - 2.25 wt.%, 1 - 2 wt.%, 1 - 1.75 wt.%, 1 - 1.5 wt.%, 1.25 - 3 wt.%, 1.25 - 2.75 wt.%, 1.25 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.25 - 2.25 wt.%, 1.25 - 2 wt.%, 1.25 - 1.75 wt.%, 1.25 - 1.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 3 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.75 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.5 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.25 wt.%, 1.5 - 2 wt.%, or from 1.5 - 1.75 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0214] The filling may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten soluble dietary fibres.

[0215] In some embodiments, the filling may comprise a plurality of soluble dietary fibres.

[0216] The filling of the edible beads is preferably a liquid.

[0217] This improves consumer experience by providing a ‘burst’ sensation. Moreover, a liquid filling provides an optimum medium to dissolve the ingredients of the filling.

[0218] Preferably, the filling does not comprise a hydrocolloid.

[0219] In some embodiments, the filling does not comprise a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of alginate, low methoxy pectin, guar gum and combinations thereof.

[0220] Beneficially, the inventors found that by providing an edible bead wherein the filling does not comprise a hydrocolloid, the filling of the bead does not solidify and / or gel over time. This allows the bead to be stored for longer periods of time and ensures that all beads provide the same desirable liquid filling and “bursting” sensation. The filling may comprise one or more further ingredients. The further ingredients may be a flavouring, sweetener, organic acids, nutraceutical, functional ingredient, and / or colouring agent.

[0221] The flavouring may include chocolate powder (or cocoa) or a flavouring selected from chocolate (or cocoa), vanilla, strawberry, cinnamon, mint, hazelnut, caramel, biscuit, gingerbread, fruit flavouring, vegetable flavouring, spices, pumpkin spice, pistachio, eggnog, Irish Cream, alcoholic beverage flavouring, liqueurs, beer, rum, wine, gin cognac, plant and herb flavourings, agrimony, alfalfa, aloe vera, amaranth, angelica, anise, barberry, basil, bayberry, bee pollen, birch, bistort, blackberry, black cohosh, black walnut, blessed thistle, blue cohosh, blue vervain, boneset, borage, buchu, buckthorn, bugleweed, burdock, capsicum, cayenne, caraway, catnip, celery, centaury, chamomile, chaparral, chickweed, chinchona, cloves, coltsfoot, comfrey, comsilk, couch grass, cramp bark, culver's root, cyani, cornflower, damiana, dandelion, devils claw, dong quai, echinacea, elecampane, ephedra, eucalyptus, evening primrose, eyebright, false unicorn, fennel, fenugreek, figwort, flaxseed, guarana, garlic, gentian, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, golden seal, gotu kola, gum weed, hawthorn, hops, horehound, horseradish, horsetail, hoshouwu, hydrangea, hyssop, iceland moss, irish moss, jojoba, juniper, kelp, lady's slipper, lemon grass, licorice, lobelia, mandrake, marigold, marjoram, marshmallow, mistletoe, mullein, mustard, myrrh, nettle, oatstraw, Oregon grape, papaya, parsley, passion flower, peach, pennyroyal, peppermint, periwinkle, plantain, pleurisy root, pokeweed, prickly ash, psyllium, quassia, queen of the meadow, red clover, red raspberry, redmond clay, rhubarb, rose hips, rosemary, rue, safflower, saffron, sage, St. John's wort, sarsaparilla, sassafras, saw palmetto, scullcap, senega, senna, shepherd's purse, slippery elm, spearmint, spikenard, squawvine, stillingia, strawberry, taheebo, uva ursi, valerian, violet, watercress, white oak bark, white pine bark, wild cherry, wild lettuce, wild yam, willow, wintergreen, witch hazel, wood betony, wormwood, yarrow, yellow dock, yerba santa, yucca, lavender, thyme, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0222] The flavouring may be present in an amount of no more than 1 wt.% by weight of the filling or no more than 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 by weight of the filling. In some embodiments, the flavouring may be present in an amount of 0.01-1 wt.% by weight of the filling, or 0.01-0.9, 0.01-0.8, 0.01-0.7, 0.01-0.6, 0.01-0.5, 0.01- 0.01-0.4, 0.01-0.3, or 0.01-0.2wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0223] The sweetener may be selected from a carbohydrate-based sweetener or a noncarbohydrate based sweetener. The carbohydrate-based sweetener may be a sugar substitutes like e.g. polyols such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol or combinations thereof, maltodextrins, dried glucose syrups, malt extracts, starches, trehalose, raftiline, raftilose, galactose, honey powders, and mixtures of same. The non-carbohydrate based sweetener may be an artificial sweetener like e.g. Splenda®, Acesulfame K®, or aspartame, and mixtures of the same. The non-carbohydrate based sweetener may be a natural sweetener, such as stevia.

[0224] The sweetener may be present in an amount of no more than 1 wt.% by weight of the filling or no more than 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 by weight of the filling.

[0225] In some embodiments, the sweetener may be present in an amount of 0.01-1 wt.% by weight of the filling, or 0.01-0.9, 0.01-0.8, 0.01-0.7, 0.01-0.6, 0.01-0.5, 0.01- 0.01-0.4, 0.01-0.3, or 0.01-0.2wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0226] The organic acid may be citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, tannic acid, malic acid, and / or tartaric acid.

[0227] The organic acid may be present in an amount of no more than 1 wt.% by weight of the filling or no more than 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 by weight of the filling.

[0228] In some embodiments, the organic acid may be present in an amount of 0.01-1 wt.% by weight of the filling, or 0.01-0.9, 0.01-0.8, 0.01-0.7, 0.01-0.6, 0.01-0.5, 0.01- 0.01-0.4, 0.01-0.3, or 0.01-0.2wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0229] The nutraceutical may be selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), B vitamins, biotin, fat soluble vitamins, folic acid, HCA (hydroxycitric acid), inositol, pyruvate, mineral ascorbates, mixed tocopherols, niacin (vitamin B3), orotic acid, PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), pantothenates, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin (vitamin B2), synthetic vitamins, thiamine (vitamin Bl), tocotrienols, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin F, vitamin K, vitamin oils, vitamin premixes, vitamin-mineral premixes, water soluble vitamins, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, strontium, sulfur, vanadium, zinc, and combinations thereof.

[0230] The nutraceutical may be present in an amount of no more than 1 wt.% by weight of the filling or no more than 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 by weight of the filling.

[0231] In some embodiments, the nutraceutical may be present in an amount of 0.01-1 wt.% by weight of the filling, or 0.01-0.9, 0.01-0.8, 0.01-0.7, 0.01-0.6, 0.01-0.5, 0.01- 0.01-0.4, 0.01-0.3, or 0.01-0.2wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0232] The functional ingredient may be selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics, essential fatty acids, proteins, enzymes, amino acids, phytosterols, and combinations thereof, as described above.

[0233] By “functional ingredient” it is meant herein an ingredient that provides physiological and / or health benefit beyond basic nutritional value.

[0234] The functional ingredient may be selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics, soluble dietary fibre, essential fatty acids, proteins, enzymes, amino acids, phytosterols, and combinations thereof.

[0235] The vitamin may be selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin Bl, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B9, vitamin Bl 2, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and combinations thereof.

[0236] The mineral may be selected from the group consisting of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, iodine, chromium, molybdenum, and combinations thereof.

[0237] The antioxidant may be selected from the group consisting of carotenes, flavonoids, tocopherol, tocotrienol, anthocyanins, polyphenols (such as resveratrol, catechins, flavanols and curcumin), lipoic acid, melatonin, superoxide dismutase, 1 coenzyme Q10, manganese, zinc, copper, alpha lipoic acid, betaine, glutathione, ascorbic acid, and combinations thereof.

[0238] The probiotic may be selected from the group consisting of lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, yeasts, bacilli, and combinations thereof.

[0239] The prebiotic may be selected from the group consisting of group consisting of inulin, galacto-oligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, lactulose, arabinoxylan, pectin, beta glucans and combinations thereof.

[0240] The essential fatty acid may be an omega-3 and / or omega-6 fatty acid. The essential fatty acid may be selected from the group consisting of a-linolenic acid, eicosapentanoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, gamm-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, and combinations thereof.

[0241] The proteins may be selected from the group consisting of whey protein, casein, soy protein, pea protein, rice protein, collagen, proteins isolates (such as whey protein isolates or soy protein isolates), and combinations thereof.

[0242] The enzyme may be selected from the group consisting of alpha galactosidase, amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, lactase, bromelain, papain, alpha-galactosidase, invertase, catalase, pectinase, xylanase, and combinations thereof.

[0243] The functional ingredient may be present in an amount of no more than 1 wt.% by weight of the filling or no more than 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 by weight of the filling.

[0244] In some embodiments, the functional ingredient may be present in an amount of 0.01-1 wt.% by weight of the filling, or 0.01-0.9, 0.01-0.8, 0.01-0.7, 0.01-0.6, 0.01- 0.5, 0.01-0.01-0.4, 0.01-0.3, or 0.01-0.2wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0245] The colouring agent may be selected from the group consisting of edible glitter and / or any edible food colouring.

[0246] The use of a colouring agent may improve the appearance of the bead.

[0247] The colouring agent may be present in an amount of no more than 1 wt.% by weight of the filling or no more than 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 by weight of the filling. In some embodiments, the colouring agent may be present in an amount of 0.01- 1 wt.% by weight of the filling, or 0.01-0.9, 0.01-0.8, 0.01-0.7, 0.01-0.6, 0.01-0.5, 0.01- 0.01-0.4, 0.01-0.3, or 0.01-0.2wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0248] The filling may comprise water in an amount of at least 80 wt.% by weight of the filling, or at least 81 wt.%, 82 wt.%, 83 wt.%, 84 wt.%, 85 wt.%, 86 wt.%, 87 wt.%, 88 wt.%, 89 wt.%, 90 wt.%, 91 wt.%, 92 wt.%, 93 wt.%, 94 wt.%, 95wt.%, 96wt.% or at least 96.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0249] In some embodiments, the filling may comprise water in an amount of 80 - 96.5wt.%, 80 - 96 wt.%, 80 - 95 wt.%, 80 - 94 wt.%, 80 - 93 wt.%, 80 - 92 wt.%, 80 - 91 wt.%, 80 - 90 wt.%, 80 - 89 wt.%, 80 - 88 wt.%, 80 - 87 wt.%, 80 - 86 wt.%, 80 - 85 wt.%, 81-96.5 wt.%, 81-96 wt.%, 81 - 95 wt.%, 81 - 94 wt.%, 81 - 93 wt.%, 81 - 92 wt.%, 81 - 91 wt.%, 81 - 90 wt.%, 81 - 89 wt.%, 81 - 88 wt.%, 81 - 87 wt.%, 81 - 86 wt.%, 81 - 85 wt.%, 82-96.5 wt.%, 82-96 wt.%, 82 - 95 wt.%, 82 - 94 wt.%, 82 - 93 wt.%, 82 - 92 wt.%, 82 - 91 wt.%, 82 - 90 wt.%, 82 - 89 wt.%, 82 - 88 wt.%, 82 - 87 wt.%, 82 - 86 wt.%, 82 - 85 wt.%, 83-96.5 wt.%, 83-96 wt.%, 83 - 95 wt.%, 83 - 94 wt.%, 83 - 93 wt.%, 83 - 92 wt.%, 83 - 91 wt.%, 83 - 90 wt.%, 83 - 89 wt.%, 83 - 88 wt.%, 83 - 87 wt.%, 83 - 86 wt.%, 83 - 85 wt.%, 84-96.5 wt.%, 84-96 wt.%, 84 - 95 wt.%, 84 - 94 wt.%, 84 - 93 wt.%, 84 - 92 wt.%, 84 - 91 wt.%, 84 - 90 wt.%, 84 - 89 wt.%, 84 - 88 wt.%, 84 - 87 wt.%, 84 - 86 wt.%, 84 - 85 wt.%, 5-96.5 wt.%, 85-96 wt.%, 85 - 95 wt.%, 85 - 94 wt.%, 85 - 93 wt.%, 85 - 92 wt.%, 85 - 91 wt.%, 85 - 90 wt.%, 85 - 89 wt.%, 85 - 88 wt.%, 85 - 87 wt.%, 85 - 86 wt.%, 86-96.5 wt.%, 86-96 wt.%, 86 - 95 wt.%, 86 - 94 wt.%, 86 - 93 wt.%, 86 - 92 wt.%, 86 - 91 wt.%, 86 - 90 wt.%, 86 - 89 wt.%, 86 - 88 wt.%, 86 - 87 wt.%, 87-96.5 wt.%, 87-96 wt.%, 87 - 95 wt.%, 87 - 94 wt.%, 87 - 93 wt.%, 87 - 92 wt.%, 87 - 91 wt.%, 87 - 90 wt.%, 87 - 89 wt.%, 87 - 88 wt.%, 88-96.5 wt.%, 88-96 wt.%, 88 - 95 wt.%, 88 - 94 wt.%, 88 - 93 wt.%, 88 - 92 wt.%, 88 - 91 wt.%, 88 - 90 wt.%, 88 - 89 wt.%, 89-96.5 wt.%, 89-96 wt.%, 89 - 95 wt.%, 89 - 94 wt.%, 89 - 93 wt.%, 89 - 92 wt.%, 89 - 91 wt.%, 89 - 90 wt.%, 90-96.5 wt.%, 90-96 wt.%, 90 - 95 wt.%, 90 - 94 wt.%, 90 - 93 wt.%, 90 - 92 wt.%, or from 90 - 91 wt.% by weight of the filling.

[0250] Preferably, the filling may comprise water in an amount of 80-96.5wt.%, 85- 96.5wt.%, or most preferably 90-96.5wt.%. The polysaccharide of the membrane may be a hydrocolloid.

[0251] The polysaccharide membrane may comprise a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of alginate, low methoxy pectin, guar gum and combinations thereof.

[0252] Preferably, the polysaccharide is alginate. More preferably, the alginate is an alkaline earth metal alginate.

[0253] The alginate may be calcium alginate.

[0254] The membrane may comprise water in an amount of at least 90 wt.%, 90.5 wt.%, 91 wt.%, 91.5 wt.%, 92 wt.%, 92.5 wt.%, 93 wt.%, 93.5 wt.%, or at least 94 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0255] In some embodiments, the membrane may comprise water in an amount of no more than 99 wt.%, 98.5 wt.%, 98 wt.%, 97.5 wt.%, 97 wt.%, 96.5 wt.%, 96 wt.%, 95.5 wt.%, 95 wt.%, 94.5 wt.%, or no more than 94 wt.%.

[0256] The membrane may comprise water in an amount of from 90 - 99 wt.%, 90.5 - 98.5 wt.%, 91 - 98 wt.%, 91.5 - 97.5 wt.%, 92 - 97 wt.%, 92.5 - 96.5 wt.%, 93 - 96 wt.%, 93.5 - 95.5 wt.%, or from 94 - 95 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0257] The membrane may comprise a polysaccharide in an amount of at least 0.5 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%,

[0258] 1.4 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, or at least 2 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0259] In some embodiments, the membrane may comprise a polysaccharide in an amount of no more than 4 wt.%, 3.9 wt.%, 3.8 wt.%, 3.7 wt.%, 3.6 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%, 3.4 wt.%, 3.3 wt.%, 3.2 wt.%, 3.1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, or no more than 2.5 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0260] The membrane may comprise a polysaccharide in an amount of from 0.5 - 4 wt.%, 0.6 - 3.9 wt.%, 0.7 - 3.8 wt.%, 0.8 - 3.7 wt.%, 0.9 - 3.6 wt.%, 1 - 3.5 wt.%, 1.1 -

[0261] 3.4 wt.%, 1.2 - 3.3 wt.%, 1.3 - 3.2 wt.%, 1.4 - 3.1 wt.%, 1.5 - 3 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.9 wt.%,

[0262] 1.5 - 2.8 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.7 wt.%, 1.5 - 2.6 wt.%, or from 1.5 - 2.5 wt.% by weight of the membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane may further comprise an ingredient selected from the group consisting of coffee, tea extract, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute, fruit derived ingredient, and combinations thereof.

[0263] The coffee, tea extract, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute and / or fruit derived ingredient may be as described above.

[0264] The coffee, tea extract, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute, and / or fruit derived ingredient may be present in an amount of at least 0.5 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 2.1 wt.%, 2.2 wt.%, 2.3 wt.%, 2.4 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 3.1 wt.%, 3.2 wt.%, 3.3 wt.%, 3.4 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%, 3.6 wt.%, 3.7 wt.%, 3.8 wt.%, 3.9 wt.% or at least 4 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0265] In some embodiments, the coffee, tea extract, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute, and / or fruit derived ingredient may be present in an amount of no more than 8 wt.%, 7.9 wt.%, 7.8 wt.%, 7.7 wt.%, 7.6 wt.%, 7.5 wt.%, 7.4 wt.%, 7.3 wt.%, 7.2 wt.%, 7.1 wt.%, 7 wt.%, 6.9 wt.%, 6.8 wt.%, 6.7 wt.%, 6.6 wt.%, 6.5 wt.%, 6.4 wt.%, 6.3 wt.%, 6.2 wt.%, 6.1 wt.%, 6 wt.%, 5.9 wt.%, 5.8 wt.%, 5.7 wt.%, 5.6 wt.%, 5.5 wt.%, 5.4 wt.%, 5.3 wt.%, 5.2 wt.%, 5.1 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 4.9 wt.%, 4.8 wt.%, 4.7 wt.%, 4.6 wt.%, 4.5 wt.%, 4.4 wt.%, 4.3 wt.%, 4.2 wt.%, 4.1 wt.%, or no more than 4 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0266] The coffee, tea extract, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute, and / or fruit derived ingredient may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 20 wt.%, 0.1 - 19 wt.%, 0.1 - 18 wt.%, 0.1 - 17 wt.%, 0.1 - 16 wt.%, 0.1 - 15 wt.%, 0.1 - 14 wt.%, 0.1 - 13 wt.%, 0.1 - 12 wt.%, 0.1 - 11 wt.%, 0.1 - 10 wt.%, 0.5 - 9 wt.%, 1 - 8 wt.%, 1.5 - 7 wt.%, 2 - 6 wt.%, 2.5 - 6 wt.%, 3 - 6 wt.%, or from 3 - 5 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0267] Preferably, the coffee, tea extract, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute, and / or fruit derived ingredient may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 15 wt.%, 0.1 - 10 wt.%, 1 - 8 wt.%, 2-6 wt.% or most preferably 3-5 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0268] In one embodiment, the polysaccharide gel membrane comprises at least one functional ingredient. The functional ingredient may be selected from the same ingredients as described above in relation to the filling.

[0269] The functional ingredient may be present in an amount of at least 0.5 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 wt.%,

[0270] 1.5 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 2.1 wt.%, 2.2 wt.%, 2.3 wt.%, 2.4 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 3.1 wt.%,

[0271] 3.2 wt.%, 3.3 wt.%, 3.4 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%, 3.6 wt.%, 3.7 wt.%, 3.8 wt.%, 3.9 wt.% or at least 4 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0272] In some embodiments, the functional ingredient may be present in an amount of no more than 8 wt.%, 7.9 wt.%, 7.8 wt.%, 7.7 wt.%, 7.6 wt.%, 7.5 wt.%, 7.4 wt.%,

[0273] 7.3 wt.%, 7.2 wt.%, 7.1 wt.%, 7 wt.%, 6.9 wt.%, 6.8 wt.%, 6.7 wt.%, 6.6 wt.%, 6.5 wt.%, 6.4 wt.%, 6.3 wt.%, 6.2 wt.%, 6.1 wt.%, 6 wt.%, 5.9 wt.%, 5.8 wt.%, 5.7 wt.%,

[0274] 5.6 wt.%, 5.5 wt.%, 5.4 wt.%, 5.3 wt.%, 5.2 wt.%, 5.1 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 4.9 wt.%, 4.8 wt.%, 4.7 wt.%, 4.6 wt.%, 4.5 wt.%, 4.4 wt.%, 4.3 wt.%, 4.2 wt.%, 4.1 wt.%, or no more than 4 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0275] The functional ingredient may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 20 wt.%, 0.1 - 19 wt.%, 0.1 - 18 wt.%, 0.1 - 17 wt.%, 0.1 - 16 wt.%, 0.1 - 15 wt.%, 0.1 - 14 wt.%, 0.1 - 13 wt.%, 0.1 - 12 wt.%, 0.1 - 11 wt.%, 0.1 - 10 wt.%, 0.5 - 9 wt.%, 1 - 8 wt.%, 1.5 - 7 wt.%, 2 - 6 wt.%, 2.5 - 6 wt.%, 3 - 6 wt.%, or from 3 - 5 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0276] Preferably, the functional ingredient may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 15 wt.%, 0.1 - 10 wt.%, 1 - 8 wt.%, 2-6 wt.% or most preferably 3-5 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0277] In some embodiments, the functional ingredient may be a pH sensitive ingredient.

[0278] By the term “pH sensitive ingredient” it is meant herein an ingredient that undergoes one or more property changes in response to variations in pH.

[0279] Preferably, the pH sensitive ingredient undergoes a colour change in response to a variation in pH. In such embodiments, the membrane may comprise a functional ingredient selected from the group consisting of anthocyanins, curcumin, red cabbage extract, beetroot, butterfly pea, and combinations thereof.

[0280] The ability of the functional ingredient to change colour upon a variation in pH allows the bead to be more visually appealing and provides a surprise and delight feature for the consumer.

[0281] In one embodiment, the polysaccharide gel membrane may comprise at least one barrier enhancing ingredient.

[0282] By “barrier enhancing ingredient” it is meant herein an ingredient which improves the ability of a membrane to prevent the passage or diffusion of molecules, ions, or other entities through it. These ingredients may modify the structure, composition, or surface properties of the material to strengthen its barrier function, increasing its effectiveness in restricting the movement of substances across the membrane.

[0283] Beneficially, the inventors found that the incorporation of a barrier enhancing ingredient in the membrane slowed down osmosis of the ingredients of the edible bead. This was observed to maintain the flavour of the bead over a greater period of time.

[0284] The barrier enhancing ingredient may be selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobic ingredient, charged polysaccharide, protein, and combinations thereof.

[0285] In such embodiments, the hydrophobic ingredient may be selected from the group consisting of a cocoa ingredient, hydrophobic functional ingredient, non-dairy creamer, lipid based materials (such as waxes), emulsions, acyl glycerols, phospholipids and combinations thereof.

[0286] The cocoa ingredient may be selected from the group consisting of cocoa beans, cocoa mass, cocoa nibs, cocoa bean shells, cocoa nib shells, cocoa pod husk (also called cocoa pod shells), cocoa powder, and any combination thereof.

[0287] The non-dairy creamer may be as described above in relation to the filling. The hydrophobic functional ingredient may be selected from the group consisting of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin A, Coenzyme Q10, curcumin, and combinations thereof.

[0288] In one embodiment, the barrier enhancing ingredient may be a charged polysaccharide.

[0289] The charged polysaccharide may be selected from the group consisting of chitin, chitosan, gellan gum, pectin, modified starches, and combinations thereof.

[0290] The protein may be selected from the group consisting of gluten, collagen, zein, casein, whey protein, plant proteins and combination thereof.

[0291] The barrier enhancing ingredient may be present in an amount of at least 0.5 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.1 wt.%, 1.2 wt.%, 1.3 wt.%,

[0292] 1.4 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 1.6 wt.%, 1.7 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, 1.9 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 2.1 wt.%, 2.2 wt.%, 2.3 wt.%, 2.4 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%, 2.6 wt.%, 2.7 wt.%, 2.8 wt.%, 2.9 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 3.1 wt.%, 3.2 wt.%, 3.3 wt.%, 3.4 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%, 3.6 wt.%, 3.7 wt.%, 3.8 wt.%, 3.9 wt.% or at least 4 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0293] In some embodiments, barrier enhancing ingredient may be present in an amount of no more than 8 wt.%, 7.9 wt.%, 7.8 wt.%, 7.7 wt.%, 7.6 wt.%, 7.5 wt.%, 7.4 wt.%, 7.3 wt.%, 7.2 wt.%, 7.1 wt.%, 7 wt.%, 6.9 wt.%, 6.8 wt.%, 6.7 wt.%, 6.6 wt.%,

[0294] 6.5 wt.%, 6.4 wt.%, 6.3 wt.%, 6.2 wt.%, 6.1 wt.%, 6 wt.%, 5.9 wt.%, 5.8 wt.%, 5.7 wt.%, 5.6 wt.%, 5.5 wt.%, 5.4 wt.%, 5.3 wt.%, 5.2 wt.%, 5.1 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 4.9 wt.%, 4.8 wt.%, 4.7 wt.%, 4.6 wt.%, 4.5 wt.%, 4.4 wt.%, 4.3 wt.%, 4.2 wt.%, 4.1 wt.%, or no more than 4 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0295] The barrier enhancing ingredient may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 20 wt.%, 0.1 - 19 wt.%, 0.1 - 18 wt.%, 0.1 - 17 wt.%, 0.1 - 16 wt.%, 0.1 - 15 wt.%, 0.1 - 14 wt.%, 0.1 - 13 wt.%, 0.1 - 12 wt.%, 0.1 - 11 wt.%, 0.1 - 10 wt.%, 0.5 - 9 wt.%, 1 - 8 wt.%, 1.5 - 7 wt.%, 2 - 6 wt.%, 2.5 - 6 wt.%, 3 - 6 wt.%, or from 3 - 5 wt.% by weight of the membrane.

[0296] Preferably, the barrier enhancing ingredient may be present in an amount of from 0.1 - 15 wt.%, 0.1 - 10 wt.%, 1 - 8 wt.%, 2-6 wt.% or most preferably 3-5 wt.% by weight of the membrane. The edible bead may have a diameter of at least 0.5mm, 0.75mm, 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 23mm, 24mm, or at least 25mm.

[0297] The edible bead may have a diameter of no more than 30mm, 29mm, 28mm, 27mm, 26mm, 25mm, 24mm, 23mm, 22mm, 21mm, 20mm, 19mm 18mm, 17mm, 16mm, 15mm, 14mm, 13mm, 12mm, 11mm, 10mm, 9mm, 8mm, 7mm, 6mm, or no more than 5 mm.

[0298] The edible bead may have a diameter of from 0.5-30mm, 0.5-25mm, 0.5-20mm, 0.5-15mm, 0.5-10mm, 0.5-5mm, l-30mm, 5-30mm, 10-30mm, 15-30mm, 20-30mm, 25-30mm, l-30mm, 5-25mm, 5-15mm 5-10mm or from 10-20mm.

[0299] The edible bead may have a weight of at least 0.03g, 0.05g, 0.1g, 0.2g, 0.3g, 0.4g, 0.5g, 0.6g, 0.7g, 0.8g, 0.9g, 1.0g, 1.1g, 1.2g, 1.3g, 1.4g, 1.5g, 1.6g, 1.7g, 1.8g, 1.9g, 2.0g, 2.1g, 2.2g or at least 2.3g.

[0300] The edible bead may have a weight of no more than 2.6g, 2.5g, 2.4g, 2.3g, 2.2g, 2.1g, 2.0g, 1.9g, 1.8g, 1.7g, 1.6g, 1.5g, 1.4g, 1.3g, 1.2g, 1.1g, 1.0g, 0.9g, 0.8g, 0.7g, 0.6g, 0.5g, 0.4g, 0.3g, 0.2g, or no more than 0.1g.

[0301] The edible bead may have a weight of from 0.03-2.6g, 0.05-2.6, 0.1 -2.6g, 0.2- 2.6g, 0.3-2.6g, 0.4-2.6g, 0.5-2.6g, 0.6-2.6g, 0.7-2.6g, 0.8-2.6g, 0.9-2.6g, 1.0-2.6g, 0.03- 2.5g, 0.03-2.4g, 0.03-2.3g, 0.03-2.2g, 0.03-2.1g, 0.03-2.0g, 0.05-2.6g, 0.1-2.5g, 0.2- 2.4g, 0.3-2.3g, 0.4-2.2g, 0.5-2.1g, 0.6-2.0g, 0.7-1.9g, 0.8-1.8g, 0.9-1.7g, 1.0-1.6g, 1.1- 1.5g, 0.5-2.0, 0.5-1.5, 0.5-1.0, 0.5-0.9, 0.5-0.8, 0.6-0.9, or from 0.6-0.8g.

[0302] The membrane of the edible bead may have a thickness of at least 0.1mm, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, 11.0, 11.5, 12.0, 12.5, 13.0 13.5, 14.0, 14.5 or at least 15 mm.

[0303] The membrane of the edible bead may have a thickness of no more than no more than 20mm, 15mm, 10mm, 9mm, 6mm, 5mm, 4mm, 3mm, 2mm, 1mm, 0.9mm 0.8mm, 0.7mm, 0.6mm, 0.5mm, 0.4mm, 0.3mm, 0.2mm, or no more than 0.1mm. The edible bead may have a thickness of from 0.1-20mm, 0.5-15mm, 0.5- 10mm, 0.5-5mm, 0.5-20mm, l-15mm, l-10mm, l-9mm, l-8mm, l-7mm, l-6mm, or from l-5mm.

[0304] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for preparing an edible bead, the process comprising the steps of: a) preparing a first solution comprising a metal salt, at least one starch, at least one gum, and at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a coffee, tea, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute, fruit derived ingredient and combinations thereof, the first solution having a solids content of no more than 20wt.% by weight of the first solution; b) preparing a second solution comprising at least one polysaccharide; and c) contacting the first solution with the second solution to form a polysaccharide gel membrane and encapsulating the first solution in the polysaccharide gel membrane.

[0305] The inventors found that the claimed process of the second aspect of the present invention ensured that the resulting encapsulated product remained liquid for a longer period of time. This is because the gel membrane forms externally to the first solution as the second solution is not able to penetrate the first solution. In contrast, in processes of the prior art in which the first solution comprises a polysaccharide, the gel membrane may form internally as well as externally of the first solution. Beneficially, this ensure that the product still has a liquid filling and subsequent ‘bursting’ sensation even after long periods of storage, the above process can also allow a broader range of filling ingredients and can result in the formation of a thicker membrane. Beneficially, this allows the resulting beads to be manipulated easily and allows them to conserve their shape better.

[0306] Additionally, the combination of at least one gum and at least one starch in the first solution increased the viscosity and improved the rheology of the first solution. This allowed the reduction of the solids content of the first solution without compromising the formation of the edible beads. For example, the inventors observed that a reduction in the solids content of the first solution may lead to the first solution having insufficient density such that it may float when added to the second solution. This prevents sufficient bead formation. However, the inventors observed that the particular combination of starch and gum was particularly effective in modifying the rheology of the first solution to support adequate edible bead formation, particularly under high dosing speeds, which are beneficial in adequate edible bead formation at lower solids content. Specifically, this combination enabled a controlled increase in viscosity sufficient to withstand the higher shear forces encountered during dosing, while also imparting desirable thixotropic behaviour. The thixotropy allowed the solution to temporarily thin under shear, facilitating smooth injection, and then rapidly recover its viscosity to support bead integrity post-dosing. Moreover, in low-solids systems where density and structural cohesion are typically insufficient, the synergistic interaction between the starch and gum provided the necessary viscosity and network formation to enable stable, uniform edible bead formation even at reduced solids content.

[0307] The first solution may have a total solids content of no more than 19.75 wt.%,

[0308] 19.5 wt.%, 19.25 wt.%, 19 wt.%, 18.75 wt.%, 18.5 wt.%, 18.25 wt.%, 18 wt.%, 17.75 wt.%, 17.5 wt.%, 17.25 wt.%, 17 wt.%, 16.75 wt.%, 16.5 wt.%, 16.25 wt.%, 16 wt.%,

[0309] 15.75 wt.%, 15.5 wt.%, 15.25 wt.%, 15 wt.%, 14.75 wt.%, 14.5 wt.%, 14.25 wt.%, 14 wt.%, 13.75 wt.%, 13.5 wt.%, 13.25 wt.%, 13 wt.%, 12.75 wt.%, 12.5 wt.%, 12.25 wt.%, 12 wt.%, 11.75 wt.%, 11.5 wt.%, 11.25 wt.%, 11 wt.%, 10.75 wt.%, 10.5 wt.%,

[0310] 10.25 wt.%, or no more than 10 wt.% by weight of the first solution.

[0311] The first solution may have a total solids content of from 7.5 - 20 wt.%, 7.75 -

[0312] 19.75 wt.%, 8 - 19.5 wt.%, 8.25 - 19.25 wt.%, 8.5 - 19 wt.%, 8.75 - 18.75 wt.%, 9 -

[0313] 18.5 wt.%, 9.25 - 18.25 wt.%, 9.5 - 18 wt.%, 9.75 - 17.75 wt.%, 10 - 17.5 wt.%, 10 -

[0314] 17.25 wt.%, 10 - 17 wt.%, 10 - 16.75 wt.%, 10 - 16.5 wt.%, 10 - 16.25 wt.%, 10 - 16 wt.%, 10 - 15.75 wt.%, 10 - 15.5 wt.%, 10 - 15.25 wt.%, 10 - 15 wt.%, 7.5 - 15 wt.%,

[0315] 7.5 - 14.75 wt.%, 7.5 - 14.5 wt.%, 7.5 - 14.25 wt.%, 7.5 - 14 wt.%, 7.5 - 13.75 wt.%,

[0316] 7.5 - 13.5 wt.%, 7.5 - 13.25 wt.%, 7.5 - 13 wt.%, 7.5 - 12.75 wt.%, 7.5 - 12.5 wt.% by weight of the first solution.

[0317] The metal salt may be an alkaline earth metal salt.

[0318] The metal salt may be a calcium salt. In some embodiments, the calcium salt may be selected from the group consisting of calcium lactate, calcium chloride, calcium lactate gluconate and combinations thereof.

[0319] The metal salt may be present in an amount of no more than 10 wt.% by weight of the first solution or no more than 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, or no more than 0.1 wt.% by weight of the first solution.

[0320] In some embodiments, the metal salt may be present in an amount of 0.1-10 wt.% by weight of the first solution, or 0.2-10, 0.3-10, 0.4-9, 0.5-8 0.6-7, 0.7-6, 0.8-5, 0.9-4, 1-3, or l-2wt.% by weight of the first solution.

[0321] The at least one starch, at least one gum and at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a coffee, tea, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute, fruit derived ingredient may comprise one or more features and / or be present in the same amounts as described in the first aspect of the invention.

[0322] The first solution may further comprise one or more ingredients present in the filling as described in the first aspect of the invention. The one or more ingredients may also be present in the same amounts as described in relation to the filling of the first aspect of the invention.

[0323] The polysaccharide of the second solution may be a hydrocolloid.

[0324] The polysaccharide of the second solution may comprise a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of alginate, low methoxy pectin, guar gum and combinations thereof.

[0325] Preferably, the polysaccharide is alginate. More preferably, the alginate is an alkali metal alginate.

[0326] Preferably, the alginate is sodium alginate.

[0327] The polysaccharide may be present in an amount of no more than 10 wt.% by weight of the second solution or no more than 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, or no more than 0.1 wt.% by weight of the second solution. In some embodiments, the polysaccharide may be present in an amount of 0.1- 5 wt.% by weight of the second solution, or 0.1-4, 0.1-3, 0.1-2, 0.1-1.5, 0.1-1, 0.2-0.9, 0.2-0.8, 0.2-0.7, 0.3-0.7, or from 0.3-0.6wt.% by weight of the second solution.

[0328] The second solution may comprise water.

[0329] Preferably, the water is deionised.

[0330] The second solution may comprise water in an amount of at least 90 wt.% by weight of the first solution, or at least 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, or at least 99.4 wt.% by weight of the second solution.

[0331] The second solution may comprise one or more ingredients present in the membrane as described in the first aspect of the invention. The one or more ingredients may also be present in the same amounts as described in relation to the membrane of the first aspect of the invention.

[0332] The first solution may have a viscosity of at least 150mPa.s, 160mPa.s,

[0333] 170mPa.s, 180mPa.s, 190mPa.s, 200mPa.s, 210mPa.s, 220mPa.s, 230mPa.s,

[0334] 240mPa.s, 250mPa.s, 260mPa.s, 270mPa.s, 280mPa.s, 290mPa.s, 300mPa.s,

[0335] 310mPa.s, 320mPa.s, 330mPa.s, 340mPa.s, 350mPa.s, 360mPa.s, 370mPa.s,

[0336] 380mPa.s, 390mPa.s, or at least 400mPa.s.

[0337] The first solution may have a viscosity of at no more than 400mPa.s, 390mPa.s, 380mPa.s, 370mPa.s, 360mPa.s, 350mPa.s, 340mPa.s, 330mPa.s, 320mPa.s,

[0338] 310mPa.s, 300mPa.s, 290mPa.s, 280mPa.s, 270mPa.s, 260mPa.s, 250mPa.s,

[0339] 240mPa.s, 230mPa.s, 220mPa.s, 210mPa.s, 200mPa.s, 190mPa.s, or no more than 180mPa.s.

[0340] The first solution may have a viscosity of from 150 - 400mPa.s, 150 - 375mPa.s,

[0341] 150 - 350mPa.s, 150 - 325mPa.s, 150 - 300mPa.s, 150 - 275mPa.s, 150 - 250mPa.s

[0342] 150 - 225mPa.s, 150 - 200mPa.s, 150 - 190mPa.s, 160 - 400mPa.s, 160 - 375mPa.s

[0343] 160 - 350mPa.s, 160 - 325mPa.s, 160 - 300mPa.s, 160 - 275mPa.s, 160 - 250mPa.s

[0344] 160 - 225mPa.s, 160 - 200mPa.s, 160 - 190mPa.s, 170 - 400mPa.s, 170 - 375mPa.s

[0345] 170 - 350mPa.s, 170 - 325mPa.s, 170 - 300mPa.s, 170 - 275mPa.s, 170 - 250mPa.s

[0346] 170 - 225mPa.s, 170 - 200mPa.s, 170 - 190mPa.s, 180 - 400mPa.s, 180 - 375mPa.s

[0347] 180 - 350mPa.s, 180 - 325mPa.s, 180 - 300mPa.s, 180 - 275mPa.s, 180 - 250mPa.s 180 - 225mPa.s, 180 - 200mPa.s, 180 - 190mPa.s, 190 - 400mPa.s, 190 - 375mPa.s,

[0348] 190 - 350mPa.s, 190 - 325mPa.s, 190 - 300mPa.s, 190 - 275mPa.s, 190 - 250mPa.s,

[0349] 190 - 225mPa.s, 190 - 200mPa.s, 200 - 400mPa.s, 200 - 375mPa.s, 200 - 350mPa.s,

[0350] 200 - 325mPa.s, 200 - 300mPa.s, 200 - 275mPa.s, 200 - 250mPa.s, or from 200 -

[0351] 225mPa.s.

[0352] Preferably, the first solution may have a viscosity of from 150 - 400mPa.s, 150 - 300mPa.s, 150 - 200mPa.s, or most preferably 170 - 190mPa.s.

[0353] The inventors observed that a first solution having the above viscosity values ensured spherical bead formation. For example, the above viscosities of the first solution ensure that the first solution is fully immersed in the second solution in step c) and ensures that the beads possess a spherical shape rather than a drop like or flat shape.

[0354] Preferably, the first solution is thixotropic. The thixotropic properties of the first solution are as a result of the particular combination of ingredients, in particular the combination of the gum and starch.

[0355] By “thixotropic” it is meant herein that the first solution is able to undergo a decrease in viscosity when subjected to shear stress (e.g., during dropping / dosing) and recover its original viscosity upon the cessation of the applied stress.

[0356] The step a) of preparing the first solution may comprise a step of mixing the ingredients of the first solution at a temperature of at least 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, or at least 80 °C.

[0357] Preferably, the step a) of preparing the first solution may comprise a step of mixing the ingredients of the first solution at a temperature of at least 70 °C.

[0358] In such embodiments, the step of mixing the ingredients of the first solution may be performed for a period of at least 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,

[0359] 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or at least 30 minutes.

[0360] The step of mixing the ingredients of the first solution may be performed for a period of no more than 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24,

[0361] 23, 22, 21, or no more than 20 minutes. solids content of the first solution to be reduced without compromising the formation of the edible bead.

[0362] The step c) of contacting the first solution with the second solution may comprise the dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution.

[0363] In one embodiment, the dropwise addition may be provided by a device incorporating a piston-based dispensing mechanism.

[0364] In such embodiments, the dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution may have a speed of at least 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60 drops per minute.

[0365] The dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution may have a speed of no more than 70, 69, 68, 67, 66, 65, 64, 63, 62, 61, 60, 59, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, or 37 drops per minute.

[0366] The dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution may have a speed of from 35 - 70, 35 - 65, 35 - 60, 35 - 55, 35 - 50, 35 - 45, 35 - 40, 36 - 70, 36 - 65, 36 - 60, 36 - 55, 36 - 50, 36 - 45, 36 - 40, 37 - 70, 37 - 65, 37 - 60, 37 - 55, 37 - 50, 37 - 45, 37 - 40, 40 - 70, 40 - 65, 40 - 60, 40 - 55, 40 - 50, 40 - 45, 45 - 70, 45 - 65, 45 - 60, 45 - 55, 45 - 50, 50 - 70, 50 - 65, 50 - 60, 50 - 55, 60 - 70, or from 60 - 65 drops per minute.

[0367] Preferably, the dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution has a speed of from 37-60 drops per minute.

[0368] In some embodiments, the dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution may comprise adding at least 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, or at least 2ml of the first solution to the second solution per second per nozzle.

[0369] The dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution may comprise adding no more than 2.5, 2.4, 2.3, 2.2, 2.1, 2, 1.9, 1.8, 1.7, 1.6, 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, 1, 0.9, 0.8, or no more than 0.7ml of the first solution to the second solution per second per nozzle. per second per nozzle.

[0370] Preferably, the dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution comprises adding 0.7-2ml of the first solution to the second solution per second per nozzle.

[0371] Surprisingly, the inventors found that the above speeds of the dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution provided additional force to ensure the sinking of the first solution in the second solution. However, the claimed composition of the first solution is important in ensuring that the first solution has the adequate viscosity and rheology such that the above speeds ensure adequate bead formation. For example, if the first solution does not have the correct rheology, the above speeds may cause the first solution to either float or form tube-like or drop like beads instead of spherical bead.

[0372] The temperature of the second solution in step b) and / or c) may be at least 25 °C, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or at least 50 °C.

[0373] In some embodiment, the temperature of the second solution in step b) and / or c) may be from 25 - 50, 25 - 45, 25 - 40, 25 - 35, 25 - 30, 30 - 50, 30 - 45, 30 - 40, 30 -

[0374] 35, 35 - 50, 35 - 45, 35 - 40, 40 - 50, 40 - 45, 45 - 50, 25 - 50 °C, 25 - 45 °C 25 - 44, 25 - 43, 25 - 42, 25 - 41, 25 - 40, 25 - 39, 25 - 38, 25 - 37, 25 - 36, 25 - 35, 26 - 45, 26 . 44, 26 - 43, 26 - 42, 26 - 41, 26 - 40, 26 - 39, 26 - 38, 26 - 37, 26 - 36, 26 - 35, 27 - 45, 27 - 44, 27 - 43, 27 - 42, 27 - 41, 27 - 40, 27 - 39, 27 - 38, 27 - 37, 27 - 36, 27 - 35, 28 - 45, 28 - 44, 28 - 43, 28 - 42, 28 - 41, 28 - 40, 28 - 39, 28 - 38, 28 - 37, 28 - 36, 28

[0375] - 35, 29 - 45, 29 - 44, 29 - 43, 29 - 42, 29 - 41, 29 - 40, 29 - 39, 29 - 38, 29 - 37, 29 -

[0376] 36, 29 - 35, 30 - 45, 30 - 44, 30 - 43, 30 - 42, 30 - 41, 30 - 40, 30 - 39, 30 - 38, 30 - 37, 30 - 36, 30 - 35, 31 - 45, 31 - 44, 31 - 43, 31 - 42, 31 - 41, 31 - 40, 31 - 39, 31 - 38, 31

[0377] - 37, 31 - 36, 31 - 35, 32 - 45, 32 - 44, 32 - 43, 32 - 42, 32 - 41, 32 - 40, 32 - 39, 32 - 38, 32 - 37, 32 - 36, 32 - 35, 33 - 45, 33 - 44, 33 - 43, 33 - 42, 33 - 41, 33 - 40, 33 - 39, 33 - 38, 33 - 37, 33 - 36, 33 - 35, 34 - 45, 34 - 44, 34 - 43, 34 - 42, 34 - 41, 34 - 40, 34 - 39, 34 - 38, 34 - 37, 34 - 36, 34 - 35, 35 - 45, 35 - 44, 35 - 43, 35 - 42, 35 - 41, 35 - 40, 35 - 39, 35 - 38, 35 - 37, or from 35 - 36 °C.

[0378] Preferably, the temperature of the second solution in step b) and / or c) is from 25 - 40 °C.

[0379] Again, the inventors found that increasing the temperature of the second solution during steps b) and / or c) decreased the viscosity of the second solution. Beneficially, this allowed the solids content of the first solution to be reduced whilst still ensuring that the first solution sinks when contacted with the second solution and thus resulting in adequate bead formation.

[0380] In a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a product comprising one or more edible beads according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0381] The product may comprise a beverage liquid.

[0382] In some embodiments, the beverage liquid may be coffee, tea, an infusion of one or more plants, herbs, fruits or spices, chocolate, carbonated liquids (such as soda, pop and / or sparkling water), flavoured water, alcoholic liquid (such as beer, wine, fortified wine or a distilled spirit), and / or juices (such as a fruit juice, berry juice and / or a vegetable juice).

[0383] In such an embodiment, the edible beads may be dispersed in the beverage liquid.

[0384] In one embodiment, the product may comprise a food product.

[0385] The food product may be a dairy product, a plant-based dairy-like product, confectionery product, savoury product, wholegrain product, frozen product and / or baked product.

[0386] The dairy product may be ice cream, yoghurt, milk, cream and / or kefir.

[0387] The plant-based dairy-like product may be a plant-based ice cream, yoghurt, milk, cream and / or kefir. The plant-based dairy-like product may be derived from an ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nut, seed, grain, legume, fruit and combinations thereof.

[0388] In one embodiment, the plant-based dairy-like product may be derived from an ingredient selected from the group consisting of almond, soy, coconut, oat, rice, cashew, hemp, flax, pea, hazelnut, walnut, macadamia, pistachio, sunflower seed, quinoa and combinations thereof.

[0389] The baked product may be cakes, doughnuts, wafers, pastries, tarts, and / or a cookie.

[0390] The frozen product may be a frozen dessert such as a sorbet, ice cream, frozen fruit juice, mousse and / or frozen flavoured water.

[0391] The confectionery product may be a chocolate product.

[0392] The wholegrain product may be oatmeal and / or cereal.

[0393] In such an embodiment, the edible bead may be disposed on the food product.

[0394] Alternatively, the product may comprise one or more edible beads dispersed in an aqueous solution.

[0395] The aqueous solution may be a preservation solution.

[0396] By ‘preservation solution’ it is meant a solution which allows the beads to be stored for a period of time without the beads degrading in quality, taste, texture and / or form. The period of time may be at least 1, 5, 1020, 30 days or at least 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or at least 12 months.

[0397] The preservation solution may comprise one or more of the ingredients of the filling as described in the first aspect of the invention. The one or more ingredients may be present in the preservation solution in the same amounts as described for the filling in the first aspect of the invention.

[0398] Preferably, the preservation solution comprises the same ingredients as the first solution of the second aspect of the present invention. In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing a product according to the third aspect of the invention comprising the steps of: a) providing an edible bead according to the first aspect of the invention; and b) adding the edible bead to an aqueous solution, liquid product and / or food product.

[0399] The aqueous solution, liquid product and / or food product may be the same aqueous solution, liquid product and / or food product as described in the third aspect of the invention.

[0400] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a container comprising the product of the third aspect of the invention.

[0401] According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a container of a fifth aspect of the invention comprising steps of: a) providing a product according to the third aspect of the present invention; and b) adding the product to a container according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.

[0402] The further aspects of the present invention may incorporate any of the features of the other aspects of the invention described herein as desired or as appropriate.

[0403] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0404] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0405] Figure 1 shows an image of edible beads according to the present invention.

[0406] Examples

[0407] Edible beads of Examples 1 -5 were prepared according to the second aspect of the present invention as set out below.

[0408] A first solution of Examples 1-5 were prepared comprising the ingredients shown in Table 1 below. The solutions had a viscosity of from 150-200 mPa.s. During preparation of the first solution the ingredients of the first solution were mixed for 20- 45 minutes at a temperature of 70 °C.

[0409] 0.65 ml of a first solution was then added to a second solution via a dropwise addition to form an edible bead.

[0410] The speed of the dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution was from 0.7-2ml per second per nozzle.

[0411] The ingredients of the second solution of Examples 1-5 are shown in Table 2 below.

[0412] During the dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution, the temperature of the second solution was increased to 25-40 °C.

[0413] After the dropwise addition, the resulting mixture was then gently stirred to fully submerge the edible bead in the mixture and left for 2-3 minutes.

[0414] The edible bead was then removed from the solution and rinsed with deionised water.

[0415] The resulting edible bead had an appearance as shown in Figure 1 and comprised a liquid filling having the same composition and weight amounts as the corresponding first solution detailed in Table 1 below. The membrane comprised the same composition and weight amounts as the corresponding second solution detailed in Table 2.

[0416] The process was repeated to form a plurality of edible beads.

[0417] The edible beads had an average weight of 0.7g and a diameter of 8- 10mm.

[0418] Surprisingly, the inventors found that the edible beads possessed a low solids content whilst exhibiting a similar spherical shape, mouthfeel, texture and stability as a similarly produced edible bead possessing a “high” solids content of from 20-40wt.%.

[0419] Additionally, the beads of Example 2 were able to provide a functional ingredient. The beads of Examples 3, which comprised a barrier enhancing ingredient in the membrane, also demonstrated improved stability over similarly produced edible beads which did not incorporate a barrier enhancing ingredient in the membrane.

[0420] Table 1

[0421] Table 2

[0422] The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An edible bead comprising an outer polysaccharide gel membrane and a filling, the filling comprising at least one starch, at least one gum and at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a coffee, tea extract, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute, fruit derived ingredient and combinations thereof, wherein the filling has a total solids content of no more than 20wt.% by weight of the filling.

2. An edible bead according to claim 1, wherein the starch is selected from the group consisting of tapioca starch, corn starch, potato starch, arrowroot starch, rice starch, cassava starch, wheat starch, sweet potato starch, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), quinoa starch, barley starch, sorghum starch, oat starch, legume starch, bean starch, lentil starch, pea starch, chickpea starch, banana starch, rye starch and combinations thereof.

3. An edible bead according to claim 2, wherein the starch is a tapioca starch.

4. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the starch is present in an amount of from 0.1-4 wt.%, 1-3 wt.%, or most preferably l-2wt.% by weight of the filling.

5. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the gum is selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, agar, carrageenan, Arabic gum, konjac gum, cellulose gum, and combination thereof.

6. An edible bead according to any one of claims 4-6, wherein the gum is present in an amount of from 0.1-0.7wt.%, 0.1-0.6wt.%, 0.1-0.5wt.%, 0.1-0.3wt.%. or most preferably from 0.1 -0.2 wt.% by weight of the filling.

7. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the filling comprises coffee and wherein the coffee is selected from the group consisting of a liquid coffee, an instant soluble coffee, spray dried coffee, freeze dried coffee, a blend of freeze dried soluble coffee, roast and ground coffee, microground roast and ground coffee, and combinations thereof.

8. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the filling comprises a tea extract and wherein the tea extract is selected from the group consisting of black tea, white tea, fruit tea, green tea, rooibos tea, oolong tea, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, ginger tea, cinnamon tea, lemongrass tea, rosemary tea, pu-erh tea, olive leaf tea, barley tea, liquorice tea, eucalyptus tea, gingko tea, sage tea, raspberry tea, valerian root tea, elderberry flower tea, lavender tea, turmeric tea, purple tea, pine needle tea, echinacea tea, honeybush tea, rose tea, jasmine tea, cranberry tea, dandelion tea, guava tea, thyme tea, matcha tea, chai tea, lemon balm tea, and combinations thereof.

9. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the filling comprises a non-dairy creamer and wherein the non-dairy creamer comprises a vegetable fat, preferably wherein the vegetable fat is derived from a coconut, cocoa bean, palm fruit, sunflower seeds, soybean seeds, palm kernel, cotton seeds, canola seeds, olives, safflower seeds, and combinations thereof.

10. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the filling comprises a coffee substitute and wherein the coffee substitute is derived from an ingredient selected from the group consisting of a cereal, legume, root, fruit, nut, seed, mushroom and combinations thereof.

11. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the filling comprises a fruit derived ingredient and wherein the fruit derived ingredient is selected from the group consisting of fruit extract, fruit juice, fruit squash, fermented fruit juice (such as wine, cider etc.), fruit pulp, fruit chunks, fruit powder, fruit oil, fruit essence, fruit concentrate, fruit fibre, fruit vinegars and combinations thereof.

12. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the filling comprises a sugar selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, galactose, lactose, maltose, isomaltose, sugar hydrates (such as dextrose monohydrate, for example), and combinations thereof in an amount of no more than 5wt.% by weight of the filling.

13. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the filling comprises a coffee, tea extract, non-dairy creamer, coffee substitute, and / or fruit derived ingredient in an amount of from l-4wt.% by weight of the filling.

14. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the filling is liquid.

15. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the filling comprises water in an amount of from 80-96.5 wt.% by weight of the filling.

16. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the polysaccharide is a hydrocolloid.

17. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of alginate, low methoxy pectin, guar gum and combinations thereof, preferably wherein the polysaccharide is an alkaline earth metal alginate, preferably calcium alginate.

18. An edible bead according to any preceding claim, wherein the polysaccharide gel membrane comprises at least one functional ingredient and / or at least one barrier enhancing ingredient.

19. A process for preparing an edible bead, the process comprising the steps of: a) preparing a first solution comprising a metal salt, at least one starch, and at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a coffee, tea, nondairy creamer, coffee substitute, fruit derived ingredient and combinations thereof, the first solution having a solids content of no more than 20wt.% by weight of the first solution; b) preparing a second solution comprising at least one polysaccharide; and c) contacting the first solution with the second solution to form a polysaccharide gel membrane and encapsulating the first solution in the polysaccharide gel membrane.

20. A process according to claim 19, wherein the first solution has a viscosity of from 150 - 400mPa.s, 150 - 300mPa.s, 150 - 200mPa.s, or most preferably 170 - 190mPa.s.

21. A process according to any one of claims 19-20, wherein the step a) of preparing the first solution comprises a step of mixing the ingredients of the first solution at a temperature of at least 70 °C for a period of from 20-45 minutes.

22. A process according to any one of claims 19-21, wherein the temperature of the second solution in step b) and / or c) is from 25 - 40 °C..

23. A process according to any one of claims 19-23, wherein the step c) of contacting the first solution with the second solution comprises the dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution, and wherein the dropwise addition of the first solution to the second solution comprises adding at least 0.7-2ml of the first solution to the second solution per second per nozzle.

24. A product comprising one or more edible beads according to any one of claims 1-18.

25. A product according to claim 24, wherein the product comprises a beverage liquid, preferably wherein the edible beads are dispersed in the beverage liquid, preferably wherein the beverage liquid is a coffee, tea, infusion of one or more plants, herbs, fruits or spices, chocolate, carbonated liquid, flavoured water, alcoholic liquid and / or juice.

26. A product according to claim 24, wherein the product comprises a food product, preferably wherein the edible beads are disposed on the food product, preferably wherein the food product is a dairy product, plant-based dairy-like product, confectionery product, wholegrain product, frozen product, savoury product and / or baked product.

27. A method of preparing a product according to any one of claims 24-26 comprising the steps of: a) providing an edible bead according to any one of claims 1-18; and b) adding the edible bead to a liquid product and / or food product.

28. A container comprising a product according to any one of claims 24-26.

29. A method of preparing a container according to claim 28 comprising the steps of:a) providing a product according to any one of claims 24-26; and b) adding the product to a container according to claim 28.

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