Tomato Beverage Concentrate Dispersion Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for shelf-stable, ready-to-drink tomato-flavored alcoholic beverages, such as beer and spirits, that provide a dominant tomato flavor with a slightly sweet, fruity, or spicy taste profile, which is not currently met by existing products.
Innovation Solution
A beverage concentrate with a natural tomato soluble solids content of 20 to 40% by weight, combined with ethyl alcohol and optional flavoring agents like hops, shellfish, savory, citrus, or spicy flavors, is used to create a stable dispersion in alcoholic compositions, resulting in a pre-mixed, ready-to-drink tomato-flavored beverage product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tomato juice is combined with beer, then tomato flavor is provided, but the product is not shelf-stable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies concentration as a parameter change to resolve the shelf stability issue. By concentrating tomato solids to 20-40% soluble solids content, the composition becomes stable for shelf storage. When ready-to-drink products are prepared, water is added to dilute the concentrate to the desired tomato juice concentration, thereby achieving both shelf stability and the intended flavor profile.
2Reliability
If concentrated tomato paste is used, then shelf stability is improved, but water content is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the product into two forms: a concentrated stable composition for storage and distribution, and a ready-to-drink reconstituted product for consumption. This segmentation allows the tomato solids to be concentrated for shelf stability while enabling water to be added at the point of use to achieve the desired water content and drinking consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary concentration of tomato solids before distribution to create a shelf-stable composition. The water content is then adjusted in a preliminary mixing step before final bottling of ready-to-drink products, ensuring both stability during storage and appropriate consistency for consumption.
3Ease of operation
If ready-to-drink pre-mixed products are provided, then convenience is improved, but product stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses concentration as a controlling parameter to achieve both convenience and stability. The high concentration of tomato solids (20-40%) in the stable composition provides shelf stability, while the same composition can be easily diluted to create ready-to-drink products. This parameter-based approach allows the system to transition between stable storage form and convenient consumption form without compromising either property.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a stable, shelf-stable tomato-flavored alcoholic beverage with a desirable taste profile, maintaining minimal separation of components over time and offering a convenient, pre-mixed product with enhanced shelf life.
Implementation Method 1
A beverage concentrate with a natural tomato soluble solids content of 20 to 40% by weight, combined with ethyl alcohol and optional flavoring agents like hops, shellfish, savory, citrus, or spicy flavors, is used to create a stable dispersion in alcoholic compositions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to tomato-based concentrates and tomato-flavored alcoholic compositions, which include the concentrates. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a concentrate including tomato solids and one or more flavoring agents. The present invention also provides methods of preparing ready-to-drink beverage compositions.