Process for producing a grape-based food preparation for beverages, and related preparation and beverage

Abstract

A process for producing a grape-based food preparation for beverages, comprising the steps of preparing a plurality of whole grape berries; actively removing the respective seeds from each of said grape berries; drying said grape berries to obtain a 100% seedless grape preparation; and packaging said 100% seedless grape preparation. The invention also extends to the preparation thus obtained and the beverage derived therefrom.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A GRAPE-BASED FOOD PREPARATION FOR BEVERAGES , AND RELATED PREPARATION AND BEVERAGE

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a process for producing a grape-based food preparation for beverages . Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for producing a grape-based food preparation for beverages such as herbal teas , infusions , or nonalcoholic wine, which preserves the organoleptic and nutritional integrity of the raw material .

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] As is well known, grape-based beverages provide numerous benefits to the consumer ' s body .

[0007] In particular, their anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects are well known .

[0008] Grape-based beverages also provide a high vitamin and mineral content , as well as having a refreshing and thirst-quenching effect .

[0009] These benefits are largely attributable to the rich content of polyphenolic compounds , such as anthocyanins , flavanols , and phenolic acids , present primarily in the grape skin and, to a lesser extent , in the grape pulp . Various types of grape-based beverages are known today, such as herbal teas , infusions , or non-alcoholic wine .

[0010] These well-known beverages are generally made from a mixture of grapes and other fruits , such as strawberries or cherries . The combination of grapes with other fruits , such as strawberries and cherries , or other additives , is necessary to ensure a more pleasant flavor, counteracting the bitterness imparted by the grape seeds present in the prior art .

[0011] Essentially, known processes involve drying whole grape berries (that is , including skins , pulp, and seeds ) and other fruits such as strawberries and cherries .

[0012] The presence of seeds during the drying process and subsequent infusion releases bitter and astringent tannins , which negatively affect the flavor profile of the final product , effectively making it necessary to use masking agents or other fruits to obtain a pleasant-tast ing beverage .

[0013] Sometimes the dried fruit is ground and prepared for herbal teas or infusions , or for the production of nonalcoholic wine .

[0014] Known preparations and the related manufacturing processes provide a good solution, but they are certainly not without drawbacks .

[0015] A major drawback of these processes and known preparations is that they do not guarantee the production of beverages with a pure grape flavor ; they are, in fact , fruit blends or preparations in which the authentic grape flavor is compromised or masked . Processes are also known for producing grape-based preparations for beverages in which the prepared product includes exhausted grape skins .

[0016] Exhausted skins refer to the outer part of the grape berry that remains , for example, after winemaking and aging processes . In other words , it deals with grape berries without pulp and seeds .

[0017] The exhausted skins , in known solutions , are then reused to make grape beverage preparations .

[0018] These known preparations and their manufacturing processes offer a good solution, but they are not without drawbacks .

[0019] One drawback of these known preparations is that they fail to highlight the fruit ' s main characteristics .

[0020] In particular, the preparation of used peels fails to impart all the characteristics , both in terms of flavor and nutrient content , required of a grape beverage . These processes are inherently limited because the used peel lacks the pulp, which contains essential organic acids , sugars , and aromatic precursors that work synergistically with the phenolic compounds and anthocyanins in the peel to create a complete and balanced flavor profile .

[0021] The absence of pulp leads to a final product that lacks body, acidity, and aromatic complexity .

[0022] Other conceivable processes could involve peeling the grape to eliminate the tannins in the skin, but this would result in the loss of most of the polyphenolic compounds , anthocyanins , and important aromatic precursors , which reside primarily in the skin, drastically depleting the nutritional and organoleptic value of the final product .

[0023] Aim of the Invention

[0024] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a process for producing a grape beverage preparation that is capable of solving the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art .

[0025] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a grape beverage preparation that is capable of optimally preserving all the nutritional characteristics of the grape, exploiting the synergy between the compounds present in the pulp and the skin . Another aim of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a grape beverage preparation that allows the production of beverages that preserve the integrity of grape flavors and express all their typical characteristics in terms of aroma, acidity, and flavor, without the need for other ingredients or additives .

[0026] An additional aim is to provide a process that allows the use of a wide variety of grapes , including naturally seeded ones , to create preparations with diverse and complex flavor profiles .

[0027] According to the present invention, these and other aims are achieved by a process for producing a grape beverage preparation, comprising the technical characteristics described in the appended claims . The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforementioned aims , are clearly described in the appended claims , and its advantages are evident from the detailed description that follows . Detailed Description

[0028] The present invention therefore relates to a proces s for producing a grape-based preparation for beverages , hereinafter also referred to simply as the "process . " The process forming the object of the present invention comprises a step of providing a plurality of grape berries .

[0029] Specifically, this step of preparing a plurality of grape berries comprises the steps of detaching the grape berries from their respective stems and placing them on an operating station .

[0030] Advantageously, the process allows the use of a wide range of grape varieties , including seeded varieties , such as Sangiovese, Cabernet , Merlot , or seedless varieties .

[0031] The process comprises the step of actively removing the respective seeds from each grape berry .

[0032] More specifically, the process comprises a step of actively removing the seeds from each grape berry, thus obtaining a pitted grape berry that maintains its structural integrity, comprising the pulp and the skin as a cohesive and non-separated unit .

[0033] According to a first embodiment , this deseeding step is performed on the whole grape berry before any heat or drying treatment .

[0034] According to a second embodiment , the deseeding step is performed after the grape berries have been completely or partially dried .

[0035] In a further embodiment , the drying step can be started on whole grapes with seeds , interrupted to deseed them, and then completed on pitted grape berries . Advantageously, the deseeding step includes a step of providing means for extracting the seeds from the grape berries .

[0036] The extraction of these seeds from each grape berry is performed, for example, using pneumatic or hydraulic systems , designed to expel the seeds while preserving the integrity of the skin and surrounding pulp .

[0037] It is understood that the extraction can also be performed manually .

[0038] The process of the present invention therefore comprises a drying step for seedless grapes to obtain a 100% seedless grape-based preparation, that is , composed of grape pulp and skin .

[0039] This drying step allows for a product that maintains its flavor and nutritional characteristics , while also providing a long shelf life .

[0040] Depending on the embodiment , this drying step can be performed on already pitted grape berries , or it can precede or be performed partially before the seed removal step . Regardless of the drying method used, a stable preparation consisting of 100% grape pulp and skin, substantially seedless , is obtained .

[0041] This preparation represents a new food raw material that concentrates the organoleptic and nutritional properties of grapes , ready for use in the creation of beverages or other food products .

[0042] Advantageously, the drying phase includes setting up a heat-drying station .

[0043] Heat-drying involves placing the seedless grape berries at high temperatures to dehydrate them .

[0044] Alternatively, the drying phase includes setting up a vacuum-drying station .

[0045] Vacuum-drying refers to a technique in which the grape berries are placed in a vacuum chamber, where the water contained within them evaporates rapidly, even at lower temperatures than with heat-drying . Alternatively, the drying phase also includes setting up a freeze-drying station .

[0046] Freeze-drying involves freezing the grapes , which are then subjected to a sublimation process , in which the water changes from a solid to a gaseous state . Advantageously, the process of the present invention comprises a step of grinding dried seedless grape berries to obtain a 100% seedless grape preparation, consisting of grape pulp and skin .

[0047] In this case, the preparation is ground or powdered . The process comprises a step of packaging the 100% seedless grape preparation, consisting of grape pulp and skin .

[0048] This preparation comprises 100% seedless grapes , consisting of pitted and dried grapes , consisting of pulp and skin, whole or ground .

[0049] The packaging step comprises packaging the 100% seedless grape preparation, consisting of grape pulp and skin, in boxes , sachets , pods , bottles , or capsules .

[0050] A further object of the present invention is a beverage .

[0051] This beverage comprises an infusion of a 100% seedless grape preparation, made using the above-mentioned process .

[0052] The preparation, as explained above, comprises whole or ground seedless grapes .

[0053] The presence of 100% seedless grapes , i . e . , grape pulp and skin, allows for a beverage with a natural grape flavor, completely unaltered and free of the bitter notes typical of seeds . Furthermore, the presence of a preparation consisting of 100% seedless grapes allows for the preservation of the characteristics and nutrients of the grape, particularly the complete profile of polyphenols , vitamins , and aromatic precursors present in both components of the grape, ensuring an optimal supply of mineral salts and vitamins .

[0054] The process and beverage object to the present invention overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and achieve significant advantages .

[0055] An advantage of the process and beverage presented herein lies in the fact that it guarantees the full preservation of the typical characteristics of grapes , including nutrients , vitamins , and minerals , thanks to the combined and integral use of pulp and skin .

[0056] Another advantage of the process and beverage presented herein lies in the fact that it preserves the natural flavor and aroma of grapes , ensuring a pleasant taste even without the need for additives or other types of fruit .

[0057] This allows the creation of pure, 100% grape beverages that fully express the varietal character of the raw material used .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A process for producing a grape-based food preparation for beverages , comprising the steps of :- preparing a plurality of whole grape berries , including pulp, skin, and seeds ;- treating said grape berries by actively removing seeds from said whole grape berries and then drying them to obtain a seedless preparation consisting of grape pulp and skin;- packaging said preparation .2 . The process according to claim 1 , characterized in that said drying step precedes said seed removal step .3 . The process according to claim 1 , characterized in that said seed removal step precedes said drying step .4 . The process according to claim 1 , characterized in that said drying step is performed partially before said seed removal step and completed after said seed removal step .5 . The process according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said step of removing the respective seeds includes a step of providing means for extracting said seeds from said grape berries .6 . The process according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said step of removing the seedsis performed without peeling said grapes .7 . The process according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said plurality of grape berries is selected from grape varieties that naturally contain seeds .

8. The process according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said drying step includes a step of providing a hot-drying station .

9. The process according to any of claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that said drying step comprises a step of setting up a vacuum drying station .10 . The process according to any of claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that said drying step comprises a step of setting up a freeze-drying station .11 . The process according to any of the preceding claims , characterized in that it comprises a step of grinding said seedless and dried grape berries to obtain said preparation .12 . The process according to any of the preceding claims , characterized in that said packaging step comprises the step of packaging said preparation in boxes , sachets , pods , bottles , or capsules .13 . A grape-based food preparation, obtainable by the process described in claims 1 to 12 , characterized bybeing a dried product consisting of 100% grape pulp and skin, substantially seedless .14 . A beverage comprising an infusion of a preparation according to claim 13 .