TITLE

MIXTURE FOR THE INSTANT PREPARATION OF A COFFEE- BASED SOLID FOODSTUFFAND PRODUCT OBTAINED WITHIT

DESCRIPTION The present patent relates to mixtures for the preparation of instant food and in particular it concerns a new mixture for the preparation of an instant coffee-based solid food and the product obtained with it.

Coffee drinks are known, obtained substantially from the infusion of coffee powder in hot or boiling water. Various types of equipment are known for the preparation of said coffee drinks, for example the known espresso coffee machines, in which the boiling water is passed under pressure through a compact layer of coffee in powder form, to obtain a very concentrated full-flavoured drink.

Moka machines are also known in which water, brought to the boiling point, comes up through a filter across a layer of coffee.

Machines for American-style coffee are also known, in which the boiling water percolates through a layer of coffee in powder form, producing a very diluted drink.

Other coffee-based drinks are known, served hot or cold, obtained by adding other ingredients and flavourings to the coffee mixture, such as milk, cream, amaretto, chocolate, vanilla, etc.

Milk-based foods are also known, intended for consumption in a substantially semi-solid or gelatinous form, such as blancmange, panna cotta, creme caramel, etc. The preparation of the known desserts is usually complex and therefore the known ready mixes are more frequently used, containing the ingredients and any flavourings, to which only milk and/or water have to be added.

The liquid compound thus obtained is cooked slowly in direct contact with

the flame or in a bain-marie, and must be stirred throughout cooking.

To obtain the thickening of said compound, however, it must be left to cool down and then placed in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours.

The present patent concerns a new ready mix for the preparation of an instant coffee-based solid food and the product obtained with it.

The main aim of the present invention is to produce a coffee or cappuccino flavoured solid or semi-solid gelatinous foodstuff, for consumption as a dessert or snack.

A further aim of the present invention is to produce said solid foodstuff instantly, in a few seconds.

A further aim of the present invention is to enhance to flavour of the coffee or cappuccino.

A further aim of the present invention is to obtain a ready mix that is available in sachets containing a predetermined quantity of the same. These and other direct and complementary aims are achieved by the new ready mix for the preparation of an instant coffee-based solid food.

The new mixture mainly comprises the following ingredients:

• soluble or freeze-dried coffee, normal or decaffeinated, or barley coffee; • thickener, preferably maize starch;

• sugar or other sweetener.

According to the invention, said mixture can also contain aromas in powder form, such as chocolate, torroncino, amaretto, caramel, etc. The new mixture is packaged in disposable, preferably heat-sealed sachets or containers containing a predetermined quantity of the same, quick and easy to use.

In particular, each of said sachets will contain the following ingredients in the following quantities:

• Maize starch thickener 5.5 g

• Sugar 5 g

• Soluble coffee, normal or decaffeinated 1.7 g or • Freeze-dried coffee, normal or decaffeinated 3.5-4 g or

• Barley coffee 6 g with the addition, if necessary, of:

• One or more natural aromas in powder form 1.5 g for example chocolate, hazelnut, walnut, amaretto, torroncino, caramel, vanilla and/or other natural aromas in powder form readily available on the market.

For the preparation of the coffee-flavoured solid foodstuff, it is sufficient to pour the mixture consisting of thickener, sugar, soluble or freeze-dried coffee and any aromas into any container for food, for example an ordinary coffee cup.

Said mixture is then mixed in approximately 25 ml of water to form a compound which must be subsequently heated by the steam jet of an espresso coffee machine. When heated, the compound thickens and solidifies instantly, until it forms a substantially solid product, which can be consumed immediately while still hot, or served cold, as a dessert or snack, also decorated with cream, cocoa, biscuits, etc. Alternatively, it is possible to bring about said thickening by placing said compound, obtained by adding water to the mix, in an ordinary microwave oven. In said regard, it has been found that, by setting said microwave oven to maximum power, the desired result is obtained in 25-30 seconds. Alternatively, it is also possible to produce said coffee-based solid foodstuff

by pouring said compound, obtained by adding water to the mix, into a saucepan and cooking it on an ordinary cooker until it thickens completely. The new mixture is also designed to be used for the preparation of a cappuccino-flavoured solid product. According to this solution, the new mixture comprises the same ingredients as those listed above, i.e. soluble or freeze-dried coffee, normal, decaffeinated or barley, maize starch thickener, sugar and any aromas in powder form in the following quantities, for each sachet:

• maize starch thickener H g • sugar 9 g

• any aromas in powder 0.2 g

• soluble coffee, normal or decaffeinated 1.7 g or

• freeze-dried coffee, normal or decaffeinated 3.5-4 g or

• barley coffee 6 g

For the preparation of said cappuccino-flavoured solid foodstuff, said mixture is poured into an appropriate container, for example a cup, milk is added, in a quantity of approximately 75 ml, and the liquid compound thus obtained is then heated by means of the steam jet of the espresso coffee machine.

The heating causes instant thickening of the compound, which means that in a few seconds it is possible to prepare a cappuccino-flavoured solid product.

Also in this case it is possible to obtain thickening by using a microwave oven, placing said compound, obtained by combining said mixture with approximately 75 ml of milk, in an ordinary microwave oven, set to maximum power, for approximately one minute.

Alternatively, it is possible to heat said compound in an ordinary saucepan

on the burner of an ordinary cooker.

Therefore, with reference to the preceding description, the following claims are expressed.