CHOCOLATE PRODUCT

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

The present invention relates to a filling composition appropriate for a chocolate product, such as chocolates, truffles, etc. which is essentially free of palm oil or palm oil derivatives and relates further to a chocolate product and a method for making the chocolate product.

STATE OF THE ART

Chocolate confectionery such as chocolates, truffles, candy etc. are typically made of a filling and a chocolate covering enclosing a filling. This filling comprises amongst other things oil and fats ensuring a characteristic texture.

Palm oil is a commonly used oil in the industry. However, palm oil comprises a high content of saturated fats, which is associated with cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the frequent use of palm oil in the industry has led to a widespread deforestation and consequently, palm oil is no durable product. Also from the consumer group, the demand for palm oil-free products has become larger.

Alternatives for palm oil are known. WO 2017 055 102 describes a chocolate paste or filling composition in which the fat fraction comprises interesterified shea olein, a derivative of shea butter, and a liquid vegetable oil, such as soybean oil, sunflower oil and/or rapeseed oil. EP 2 781 161 describes an oil-and-fat composition for a chocolate confectionery product which is characterized by a specific ratio of fatty acids, in which the fatty acids comprise C14 tot C24 saturated fatty acids, stearic acid, palmitic acid, linolenic acid and/or oleic acid. EP 1 130 975 describes a fat substituent comprising a shea nuts extract and an oil and used for the complete or partial substitution of an amount of fat in a food product.

WO 2007 090 477 further describes a fat composition comprising shea butter and sunflower oil. WO 2018 218 290 discloses a vegetable oil comprising a mix of sunflower, rapeseed, coconut and shea oil. EP 3 005 875 also describes a fat mixture for a filling composition. WO 2017 031 406 discloses a composition comprising sunflower oil with a high content of stearin and oleic acid and another solid fat than a palm fat. WO 2015 110 388 discloses a fat mixture comprising more than 75 % by weight, which can be used in a margarine, spread or cooking fat. WO 2011 161 213 discloses a fat mixture of one or more vegetable oils. WO 2012 139 574 further also discloses a fat composition comprising a component A and B with each a specific fatty acid composition. Finally, EP 2 692 238 discloses a fat composition comprising less than 20 % of saturated fatty acids.

These solutions are, however, not always applicable in the technological field of chocolates, where a filling with a high fat content is necessary. Thus, there is a need for a filling composition which is appropriate for chocolates offering an alternative for palm oil or palm oil derivatives.

It is important in making a filling with a new fat composition that not only the taste and texture are good, but also that the filling has a pleasant consistency. The present invention aims to find a solution for at least some of the above- mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a filling composition for a chocolate product, as described in claim 1. By choosing for a fat fraction for the filling appropriate for a chocolate product which is free of palm oil or palm oil derivatives and other oil-containing plants, such as sunflower oil and shea butter, a healthier and more durable product is offered to the consumer.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a chocolate product, as described in claim 13. The combination of the filling with a chocolate covering further contributes to the pleasant experience of the consumer of the chocolate product.

In a last aspect, the invention relates a method for fabricating the chocolate product as described in claim 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a filling composition appropriate for a chocolate product which is essentially free of palm oil or palm oil derivatives, a chocolate product and a method for making the chocolate product. In the following, the invention will be described in detail and preferred embodiments will be disclosed.

Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, shall have the meaning as they are generally understood by the worker in the technical field of the invention. For a better understanding of the description of the invention, the following terms are explained specifically.

"A", "an" and "the" refer in the document to both the singular and the plural form unless clearly understood differently in the context. "A segment" means for example one or more than one segment.

When "approximately" or "about" are used in the document together with a measurable quantity, a parameter, a period or moment, etc., variations of +/20 % or less, preferably +/10 % or less, more preferably +/5 % or less, still more preferably +/1 % or less, and even still more preferably +/0.1 % or less than and of the cited value are meant, as far as such variations apply to the invention that is described. It will however be clearly understood that the value of the quantity at which the term "approximately" or "about" is used, is itself specified.

The terms "include", "including" and "provide with" are synonyms and are inclusive or open terms that indicate the presence of what follows, and that do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, characteristics, elements, members, steps, known from or described in the state of the art. The citation of numeric intervals by means of end points includes all integers, fractions and/or real numbers between the end points, including these end points.

The term "chocolate" or "chocolates" refers in the present invention to all chocolate or chocolate-like compositions with a fat fraction that can be tempered and that can comprise at least one cacao or cacao-like component in this fat fraction. The "fat fraction" of the chocolate according to the present invention can comprise cacao butter, milk fat, butter oil, and other fats that can be tempered such as cacao butter, or mixtures of cacao butter with these fats. In the present invention, a "fat fraction that can be tempered" means fats that can take different crystalline structures or polymorphs. These fats are typically processed in a tempering process.

In the present invention, the term "temper", "tempering process" or "tempered" means the controlled pre-crystallisation of the fat fraction of chocolate, necessary for creating a stable solid fat fraction in the final chocolate end product. An important aspect of tempering is the creation of a sufficient number of stable crystal germs, so that the fat fraction can crystallize under the correct cooling conditions into a stable polymorphic form. Tempering plays an important role in guaranteeing that cacao butter or other fats of the chocolate crystallize into a stable form. Chocolate which is tempered, is called "tempered chocolate", while "non-tempered chocolate" has not undergone this process. Non-tempered chocolate shows a decelerated solidification when cooling the chocolate which finally leads to a bad chocolate colour as well as fat flower, i.e. the migration of the fats to the surface of the chocolate. Hence, the tempering process has an important influence on the aspect of the chocolate product.

The term "essentially free of palm oil or palm oil derivatives" according to the present invention indicates the minimal or completely absent amount of palm oil or palm oil derivatives. Preferably, the filling composition comprises less than 0.01 % by weight, more preferably less than 0.01 % by weight, more preferably less than 0.001 % by weight, more preferably less than 0.0001 % by weight of palm oil or palm oil derivatives. Most preferably, the filling composition according to the present invention comprises 0 % by weight of palm oil or palm oil derivatives.

The present invention offers a valuable alternative for the use of palm oil or palm oil derivatives in a chocolate product. The pleasant taste and texture of a chocolate product is realized to a certain extent by the use of palm oil, a vegetable oil. On the one hand, palm oil is unique because of its product-technical characteristics. On the other hand, palm oil is controversial, because of the way in which it is cultivated. The large demand for palm oil leads to large-scale deforestation for the construction of vast plantations. The permanent, increasing demand exerts a high pressure on the ecosystems in palm oil producing countries, which often also leads to negative social consequences for the local population. Moreover, an excessive consumption of palm oil leads to health problems, as palm oil comprises a relatively high percentage of saturated fatty acids. Sunflower oil and shea butter as a substitution for palm oil or palm oil derivatives in a chocolate product are an appropriate alternative, because they give the chocolate product the same quality as palm oil as to the taste and texture, and because they are a more durable option, which contributed to mankind and environment.

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a filling composition appropriate for a chocolate product, such as chocolates, truffles, etc. that are essentially free of palm oil or palm oil derivatives. The filling composition comprises at least 35 % by weight of fat fraction, characterized in that the fat fraction comprises sunflower oil and shea butter.

Preferably, the filling composition comprises at least 36 % by weight of fat fraction, more preferably at least 37 % by weight of fat fraction, more preferably at least 38 % by weight, more preferably at least 39 % by weight. The filling composition of the present invention comprises maximum 55 % by weight of fat fraction. Preferably, the filling composition comprises maximal 54 % by weight of fat fraction, more preferably maximal 53 % by weight of fat fraction, more preferably maximal 52 % by weight of fat fraction, more preferably maximal 51 % by weight of fat fraction.

The fat fraction of the present invention preferably comprises a mixture of solid and liquid fats.

In particular, the fat fraction comprises sunflower oil and shea butter in a ratio of between 2: 1 and 3:2. Preferably, the fat fraction comprises sunflower oil and shea butter in a ratio of 2: 1.

The sunflower oil according to the present invention is a liquid vegetable oil. Preferably, the sunflower oil is natural. Preferably, the sunflower oil according to the present invention is not treated chemically and/or enzymatically, such as hydrogenation, esterification, or other treatments that are known by the skilled worker, modifying the characteristics of fats. Equivalents such as sunflower oil with a high content of stearic acid, linolenic acid and/or oleic acid in their fatty acid profiles are preferably not used, as these fatty acid profiles have a disadvantageous effect on the consistency of the filling composition. The sunflower oil is preferably coming from non-genetically manipulated material. According to an embodiment, the colour of the sunflower oil according to the present invention is maximum 1,5 red and maximal 15 yellow measured according to Lovibond 5i _/4 ⁿ .

Shea butter has the same physical and chemical characteristics as cacao butter. Shea butter and cacao butter can be used in different ratios in the filling composition. Shea butter comprises different fatty acids, such as oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid. Preferably, the shea butter according to the present invention is a solid fat. Derivatives of shea butter are known by the skilled worker, such as shea stearin, shea oil, shea extracts, or other derivatives and are preferably not used in the filling composition, as they have a negative influence on the consistency of the filling composition.

The inventors have found that these ratios are particularly appropriate for use in the field of the present invention. The combination of sunflower oil and shea butter in the described ratio seemed particularly appropriate as an alternative for palm oil in chocolate products, in which the quality of the products can be guaranteed. Both the consistency and the taste of the filling seemed to be optimal which determines the pleasant experience when consuming the chocolate product. Moreover, this ratio also offers the desired consistency of the filling as a result of which a smooth and efficient production process is guaranteed. This is economically advantageous.

In an embodiment, the fat fraction of the filling composition comprises cacao butter. In particular, the filling composition comprises cacao butter between 0.5 % by weight and 24 % by weight, more preferably between 1 % by weight and 22 % by weight, and most preferably between 2 % by weight and 20 % by weight. Most preferably, the filling composition comprises cacao butter between 2 % by weight and 19 % by weight, 2 % by weight and 18 % by weight, 2 % by weight and 17 % by weight, 2 % by weight and 16 % by weight.

The filling composition of the present invention comprises maximum 24 % by weight of cacao butter, more preferably maximal 23 % by weight, more preferably maximal 22 % by weight, more preferably maximal 21 % by weight, more preferably maximal 20 % by weight, more preferably maximal 19 % by weight, more preferably maximal 18 % by weight, more preferably maximal 17 % by weight, more preferably maximal 16 % by weight of cacao butter.

Cacao butter is a common fat in chocolate products. Cacao butter gives the chocolate product its characteristics chocolate taste and flavour. Additionally, cacao butter also has the characteristic of melting as from 35°C, which ensures that the chocolate product melts when taking it in the mouth.

Preferably, the fat fraction of the filling composition of the present invention consists of at least 50 % by weight of sunflower oil and shea butter, preferably between 56 % by weight and 98 % by weight and more preferably between 60 % by weight and 96 % by weight. In the following embodiment, next to the fat fraction, the filling composition for a chocolate product comprises one or more ingredients selected from milk powder, cacao mass, cacao powder, natural flavour, sweetening agent, emulsifier, and/or optionally other ingredients.

The filling can be any filling, as known by the skilled worker in the technical field, such as a truffle filling, caramel filling, praline filling, cappuccino cream filling, fruit ganache filling, vanilla cream filling, etc. as well as any combination thereof. Furthermore, the filling can comprise additional elements such as a grilled (hazel)nut, crispy biscuit, etc. Preferably, the filling is a filling based on hazelnuts or derivatives of hazelnuts, such as a praline filling. In the present invention, derivatives means processed hazelnuts (such as sweetened, burnt, caramelized), hazelnut particles, hazelnut paste, etc.).

In an embodiment, next to a fat fraction, the filling composition of the present invention also comprises dry ingredients contributing to the taste and texture of the filling. For example, other milk components, such as milk powder, and cacao components, such as cacao mass, cacao powder, etc. are added. Depending on if a strong cacao taste is desired, more or less cacao components are added and complemented with milk components.

The filling can also comprise a natural flavour. The term natural flavour should be interpreted as defined in EEG directive 88/388 of June, 22th of 1988 and relates to a flavour which is directly derived from an agent or preparation occurring in an animal or vegetable product. This natural flavour can be of a variety of types such as a fruit flavour (strawberry, pear, citrus, etc.), a herbal flavour such as for example cinnamon, or vegetable flavours such as vanilla.

Preferably, the filling composition for a chocolate product comprises a sweetening agent between 0.01 % by weight and 50 % by weight, more preferably between 0.1 % by weight and 40 % by weight. The sweetening agent can comprise saccharides such as for example sucrose, glucose, fructose, polydextrose, powder sugar or combinations thereof, as well as polyols such as for example mannitol, maltitol, isomalt, xylitol or erythritol. Preferably, the sweetening agent is sugar.

The filling composition for a chocolate product preferably comprises an emulsifier helping in the control of the stability of the filling. The filling composition comprises maximal 0.1 % by weight of emulsifier, preferably the emulsifier is lecithin, more preferably sunflower lecithin. Emulsifiers are used for influencing the flowing characteristics of the filing composition. By using lecithin, especially the viscosity of chocolate is lowered, and it is possible to still obtain a low-viscous product with less fat.

Soya lecithin is a known emulsifier in the food technology. However, the European market and consumer demand lecithin from non-genetically modified (GMO) material, which is not available in large amounts because of the large demand and consequently, such non-GMO lecithin is expensive. Additionally, soya lecithin is considered an allergen. Therefore, it is opportune to use a lecithin extracted from other sources, such as for example sunflower pits, and to be able to commercialize a product which is free of soya.

The final filling composition should comprise a fat fraction with a reduced content of saturated fatty acids, in which the reduction varies depending on the type of filling. In this way, a chocolate product with less saturated fatty acids can be offered to the consumer.

In a preferred embodiment, the filling composition for a chocolate product comprises a fat fraction with maximal 50 % by weight of saturated fatty acids, more preferably maximal 40 % by weight of saturated fatty acids and more preferably between 20 % by weight and 30 % by weight of saturated fatty acids.

The final filling composition will preferably comprise a fat fraction with an appropriate percentage of solid agents at a specific temperature. This parameter influences the aspect, the release of taste, the melting speed, the shelf life and the stability of the product. It is important that the chocolate product maintains its solid form at room temperature and melts when taking it into the mouth, and contributes in this way to the pleasant experience of the consumer. All kinds of techniques are available on the market for determining the melting profiles of fats, including different chemical, analytic techniques known by the skilled worker in the technical field.

Preferably, the filling composition for a chocolate product will comprise a fat fraction with 16 % to 22 % of solid fats at 20°C, preferably 17 % to 21 % of solid fats at 20°C.

The final filling should also have a specific viscosity, so that on the one hand, the filling is not too liquid, and on the other hand also not too viscous and the filling can consequently be filled without any problem during the fabrication of the chocolate product and ensures a pleasant taste sensation and experience. In a preferred embodiment, the filling composition for a chocolate product has a viscosity between 0.1 and 1.8 Pa.s at a temperature of 40°C, more preferably between 0.2 and 1.6 Pa.s at a temperature of 40°C.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a chocolate product comprising a filling and a chocolate covering enclosing the filling, such as chocolates, truffles, etc., in which the filling is composed as described above.

In no case, the dimensions, the shape or the nature and/or other characteristics of the chocolate product are limiting for the present invention.

Preferably, the chocolate product is essentially free of palm oil or palm oil derivatives.

Just like the filling, the chocolate product can also comprise a chocolate covering which is essentially free of palm oil or palm oil derivatives. As a result, a chocolate product can be brought onto the market which is essentially completely free of palm oil or palm oil derivatives. Such a product contributes to the well-being of mankind and environment, because a healthier and more durable alternative is used.

The shape of the chocolate product can comprise any shape. Preferably, the chocolate product is essentially beam-shaped or cylindrical.

In another preferred embodiment, the chocolate product has the shape of a sea horse {Hippocampus) or shellfish. Examples of shellfish are oysters ( Ostrea ), harp snails {Harpa harpa ), screw shell snail ( Mesalia brevialis ), sunrise tellin {Tellina radiata ), shrimps ( Crusta ), bivalves {Hippopus hippopus, Mytilus ) and cockles ( Cerastoderma ).

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for making a chocolate product, in which the product is essentially free of palm oil or palm oil derivatives, characterized in that, a filling is provided according to the present invention.

The method for making a chocolate product comprises providing a filling according to the present invention and providing a chocolate covering, in which the filling and the chocolate covering are combined in such way that the covering encloses the filling.

Preferably, the filling is first provided, for example by means of extrusion of the filling, and a chocolate covering is provided by pouring liquid, tempered chocolate over the filling and by subsequently having the chocolate solidify. Possibly, before the solidification of the chocolate, some extra elements can also be added to the covering, such as for example chocolate flakes, cacao powder, ground nuts, etc. Preferably, a chocolate covering is first made by providing a mould of one or more doses of liquid, tempered chocolate, after which the chocolate is solidified by cooling. After providing a dose of liquid chocolate and before the solidification, the mould is turned around for having excessive chocolate leak out. Preferably, first, a chocolate covering is made by partially immersing a cooled stamp in a volume of tempered chocolate, in which the stamp determines the shape of the covering. The stamp is drawn out of the volume of tempered chocolate, after which the amount of chocolate onto the stamp is further solidified. After solidifying the chocolate covering, the stamp is removed as a result of which the side planes and the bottom plane of the covering are formed. The internal space of the chocolate covering is provided with a filling and covered with an upper plane fabricated separately from chocolate.

In another embodiment, a liquid dose of chocolate is added in several moulds, for making several chocolate covering halves. After forming the covering halves, a filling is provided in the covering halves. After adding a filling, the two covering halves are brought together to obtain one complete chocolate covering fully enclosing and comprising the filling. Bringing the two covering halves together can be realized by means of several methods as known by the skilled worker in the technical field.

In the following, the invention will be described by means of non-limiting examples, and not meant to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

The invention will now be further described by means of the following two examples, without being limited thereto.

Example 1 shows a filling composition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Composition of a filling :

- Fat 51 %

cacao butter,

sunflower oil and shea butter (2: 1)

- Sweetening agent 27 %

Milk powder 18 %

- Cacao mass 1 %

Flavour 3 %

Example 2 shows a filling composition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Composition of a filling :

- Fat 39 %

cacao butter,

sunflower oil and shea butter (2: 1)

- Sweetening agent 26 %

Milk powder 14 %

- Cacao mass 17 %

- Cacao powder 4 %

Example 3 shows a filling composition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Composition of a filling that is essentially free of palm oil or palm oil derivatives:

- Fat 45 %

Cacao butter, 16 %

Sunflower oil and shea butter (3:2) 29 %

Palm oil or palm oil derivatives 0 %

- Sugar 28 % Full-cream milk powder 20 %

- Cacao mass 5 %

- Cacao powder 2 %

Example 4 relates to a comparative study with different ratios of sunflower oil and shea butter.

Different filling compositions were produced for evaluating the sensory characteristics of the composition. A group of ten persons was asked to evaluate the compositions according to colour, taste, hardness, and mouth feeling.

Each filling composition comprises 36 % by weight of fat fraction, 32 % by weight of sugar, 16 % by weight of skimmed milk, 4 % by weight of cacao mass and 2 % by weight of cacao powder. The fat fraction comprises sunflower oil, shea butter and cacao butter. Because of analysis, the cacao butter is always 16 % by weight of the filling composition. In the following table, the amount of sunflower oil and shea butter is shown, always in percentage by weight of the filling composition. Table 1 : Overview of the different ratios between sunflower oil and shea butter in the fat fraction of five different filling compositions

Each person classified the compositions for each parameter from 1 to 5, in which 1 was the best score and 5 was the worst score. This showed that filling composition D received the worst score for the four parameters from all persons. As to the colour, there was a significant difference between filling compositions A, B, C and D. Filling composition A, B and C received a clearly better score for taste, hardness and mouth feeling than filling composition D. Filling composition A received the best score from eight persons, as to the taste, hardness and mouth feeling. The other two persons gave the best score to the filling composition B as to the hardness and mouth feeling. According to this test analysis, it seems that the taste panel has a clear preference for the filling composition A as to the taste, hardness and mouth feeling. These characteristics belong to the sensory characteristics, which are very much desired by the consumer.