The invention relates to an edible article having a temperature below -3°C, in particular below -10°C and in general preferably below -15°C, at least part of which is transparent. The edible articles of the invention are frozen confections comprising a transparent non-crystalline part.

It is known that tap water and aqueous solutions liberate dissolved gas on freezing, the liberated gas being one cause of opacity of ice cubes and frozen confections. Water ices and similar frozen novelties are mainly opaque due to differences in the refractive index of ice crystals and of the matrix of frozen sugar solution.

There is a continuing need for novel products in the area of frozen confections and an object of the invention is to provide an edible article such as an ice lolly, which is transparent at the temperatures as defined before.

The invention provides thereto an edible article having a temperature below -3°C, at least part of which is transparent, wherein the bulk of the transparent part is in a non-crystalline state. The storage and consumption temperatures generally are both below -10°C and often mostly below -15°C.

In practice several options are available for maintaining the non-crystalline state, one being arranging that the transparent part is in a glassy state at temperatures above -20°C and preferably above -10°C, being the usual lower limit for the consumption temperature and another arranging that the bulk of the transparent part is in a non- solidified state at temperatures down to -5°C or below, and preferably below the usual storage temperatures. The former option can be realised in practice by having an

adequate concentration of sufficiently low molecular weight solutes contained in that transparent part, the latter option by having sufficient solutes contained in that transparent part of depress the freezing point thereof to below the required temperature.

Particularly in case of using freezing point depressants the perceived sweetness of the non-frozen transparent part may be reduced if it comprises a gelling agent in an amount sufficient to effect gelation at temperatures below -15°C and preferably below the usual storage temperatures, generally about -20°C. A preferred gelling agent for this purpose is gelatin and in particular one of a bloom strength between 150 and 300. A suitable concentration being from about 1% to about 5% by weight, usually about

To prevent the non-solidified part from deforming and sticking to packaging material and to the fingers of the consumer preferably at least the free surface of that part is coated with a thin layer of transparent frozen water, which may contain small amounts of dissolved matter, provided the transparency is not injured. The expression "thin" in this context is meant to exclude thicknesses which are subject to becoming Opaque and generally means up to 4 mm. A thickness of 1 mm already suitably performs the protective purpose and generally a thickness of the outer layer up to 4 mm will not give rise to any cracking, turbidity or other causes for opaqueness although for organoleptic reasons a thickness up to 2 mm is preferred.

The invention is of particular value for products intended to be hand held with the aid of a stick positioned within the product.

Having generally described the invention various aspects and preferred embodiments will be described in detail with respect to the drawings wherein

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an ice lolly according to one embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section along the line II-II in Figure 1 and

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of another embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings Figures 1 and 2 are schematically showing an ice lolly, comprising an edible paddle part 1 on a usual wooden stick 2. The edible part thereof comprises a transparent part 3 at the tip remote from the stick. An opaque part 4 of usual water ice mix is arranged at the stick end of the paddle part 1.

A transparent outer coating 5 is enclosing the outer surface of both the transparent and the opaque part, except for the side facing the stick 2.

Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section similar to the one of Figure 2, comprising a transparent part 7 entirely enclosed by opaque frozen confection material 8 except for the opposite sides lying flush with the large opposite sides of the edible portion. A usual wooden stick 9 is inserted and adhered in the opaque material 8.

In the following examples preferred recipes and methods will be described for manufacturing the products as shown in the drawings.

Example 1

A usual metal mould for manufacturing ice lollies was filled with distilled de-aerated water containing 0.4% citric acid and 0.1% aspartame. The mould was inserted in a brine bath kept at -30°C. After 40 seconds the liquid was sucked out of the mould, leaving a thin film 5 of ice of about 1 mm thickness on the inside of the mould. Because of the thinness of this layer pure water without any additions can be used as well as such a thin layer is almost unperceivable.

To form the transparent region 3 the ice coated mould was filled to of the usual level with a clear solution of the following composition:

A conventional wooden stick 2 is inserted halfway into the mould and a water ice mix of the following composition B is poured into the mould up to the usual filling level:

B:

After the contents have entirely been solidified the mould is removed from the refrigerant brine and briefly sprayed with hot water for thawing up a thin superficial film of material whereafter the frozen article 1 can be removed

from the mould. The article as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is now ready for eating but can also be stored and distributed at usual deep freeze temperatures.

Example 2

The article as shown in figure 3 can be made as follows: An ^' aqueous solution is prepared having composition A of Example 1 and frozen to a disc 7 having a diameter of 2 cm and a thickness of 2 cm while being exposed to ultrasonic vibrations. This disc 7 is put in a metal ice lolly mould which is tapering from 2.2 cm to a narrow rounded bottom.

The mould is kept at ambient temperature and consequently the disc slowly melts at the places where it is in contact with the mould, thereby conforming to the shape of the mould and sliding towards the bottom.

As soon as the opposite faces of the disc are entirely in contact with the mould the latter is inserted in a brine bath kept at -25°C and filled to the usual filling level with a water ice mix of composition B of Example 1 to form the opaque portion 8. Thereafter a usual wooden stick 9 is inserted.

After entirely freezing the contents the mould is briefly warmed up to thaw a thin film and to remove the frozen article from the mould. The resulting article is opaque with a round transparent look through portion.

Example 3

A product is manufactured with the following formulation:

sucrose 60% glucose 20% water 20%

In addition usual small quantities of colour and flavour may be added. The sucrose and glucose are added to the water which is then heated and stirred. The solution is boiled until sufficient water has evaporated that the boiling temperature is 150°C. The solution is poured into a cold mould. The solidified article may then be incorporated as part of an ice lolly. It will remain transparent because it is in the glassy state and no ice will form at any temperature.

Example 4

63 DE corn syrup is heated in a microwave oven to evaporate water until it is boiling at 120°C. It is then removed from the oven, cooled, and used for making ice lollies or portions thereof after addition of lemon flavour. At this low moisture content it will be glassy at sub-zero temperatures so that no ice will form and therefore it is transparent. Above 0°C it transforms to a rubbery solid and therefore can be eaten.

It does not need explanation that various embodiments can be thought of: different shapes, different compositions, inserts in the transparent portion to be clearly seen and inserts attached to the inward end of the stick.

Parts and percentages in this specification and claims relate to weights unless otherwise indicated.