The present invention relates generally to the field of cocoa-based compositions which after reconstitution, for example in milk or water, result in cocoa-based beverages. For example, the present invention relates to pre-dosed cocoa-based compositions. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a freeze-dried, food-grade three- dimensional shape comprising cocoa, sugar, and milk powder. The three-dimensional shape may be aerated and is soluble in liquids, for example in milk or water. One three- dimensional shape may represent one portion of the cocoa-based composition.

Cocoa-based beverages are very popular. They are well-liked by children and adults, both, in hot or in cold form. Cocoa based beverages are typically available in a ready- to-drink format or in the form of a powdered or granulated beverage powder to be reconstituted in milk or water.

Such beverage powders can well be used to flavor milk-based beverages in order to increase the milk consumption of individuals that do not enjoy pure milk. However, here it is important that overdosing is avoided. For example, to address this need, cocoa based beverage powders are available in the market today also as single portions, individually wrapped. This, however, increases the amount of packaging material that is needed per portion of beverage powder.

One of the main problems associated with packaging in general is the generation of packaging waste. According to Eurostat in 2017, 172.6 kg of packaging waste was generated per inhabitant in the EU. The industry addresses this issue by embracing the circular economy. In line with this, the European Commission has recently communicated a new Circular Economy Action Plan (COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONSA new Circular Economy Action Plan For a cleaner and more competitive Europe, Brussels, 11.3.2020). Accordingly, the EU needs to accelerate the transition towards a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes, advance towards keeping its resource consumption within planetary boundaries, and therefore strive to reduce its consumption footprint and double its circular material use rate in the coming decade.

One step towards achieving these objectives would be to omit the wrapping of individual portions of cocoa-based beverage powders.

This, however, is challenging. Beverage powders and granulates usually have a high enough surface/volume ratio to ensure swift dissolution. However, simply compressing the beverage powders into single portion size tablets would result in beverage powder tablets which dissolve far too slow in milk or water, so that their use to prepare cocoa based beverages would likely be found unacceptable by consumers.

It would therefore be desirable to have available single portions of cocoa-based beverage powders that do not require individual wrapping and that will dissolve fast enough so that dissolving such a portion of beverage powder in milk or water is a pleasurable experience for the consumer.

Any reference to prior art documents in this specification is not to be considered an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field. The objective of the present invention was it to enrich and/or improve the state of the art and in particular to provide an individual beverage powder portion that does not require individual wrapping, that dissolves fast enough in liquids and that - if used - provides a pleasurable and/or stimulating experience to the consumer, or to at least provide a useful alternative to existing solutions in the art.

The inventors were surprised to see that the objective of the present invention could be achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim. The dependent claims further develop the idea of the present invention.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a freeze dried, food-grade three- dimensional shape comprising cocoa, sugar, and milk powder. The three-dimensional shape is soluble in food-grade liquids, for example in milk or water.

The present invention further provides the three-dimensional shape comprising cocoa, sugar, and skimmed milk powder for use in treating or preventing an impaired growth and development in children, and/or in supporting a healthy growth and development in children. The present invention also provides the use of a three-dimensional shape comprising cocoa, sugar, and skimmed milk powder for the preparation of a composition for treating or preventing an impaired growth and development in children, and/or in supporting a healthy growth and development in children.

Even further, the present invention provides a three-dimensional shape comprising cocoa, sugar, and skimmed milk powder for use in complementing the goodness of milk. Forthis, the three-dimensional shape comprising cocoa, sugar, and skimmed milk may further comprise vitamins and minerals, for example vitamins and minerals selected from the group consisting of vitamin D, iron, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, vitamin Bl, vitamin A, and combinations thereof.

As used in this specification, the words "comprises", "comprising", and similar words, are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to".

The present inventors were surprised to be able to show that a freeze-dried, food- grade three-dimensional shape comprising cocoa, sugar, and skimmed milk powder achieves the objective of the present invention. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors currently believe that freeze-drying optionally in combination with aeration allowed it to produce three-dimensional shapes comprising cocoa, sugar, and milk powder that achieve the objective of the present invention and that - in particular - are stable enough to avoid substantial abrasion if they are not individually wrapped and that dissolve fast enough, even in cold liquids, such as water or milk for example.

Figure 1 shows the shapes as they have been extracted from the freeze dryer. Figure 2 shows the shapes as they are being dissolved in full fat milk.

Figure 3 shows three examples of the fun, playful shapes in accordance with the present invention. Consequently, the present invention relates in part to a freeze-dried, food-grade three- dimensional shape comprising cocoa, sugar, and milk powder. The three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention may be aerated.

For the purpose of the present invention the term food-grade shall mean that a material is safe for human consumption.

In accordance with Codex Alimentarius, the term "food" shall mean any substance, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, which is intended for human consumption, and includes drink, chewing gum and any substance which has been used in the manufacture, preparation or treatment of "food" but does not include cosmetics or tobacco or substances used only as drugs.

Freeze-drying is a technique that is well-known in the art. It can be used for the production of food powders, for example. Here, freeze-drying is recognized as a very good drying process for preserving the quality of foods. Freeze-drying of plant-based foods is, for example, reviewed in Foods 2020, 9(1), 87.

A composition shall be considered as aerated, if it comprises a certain amount of a gas. For example, a composition may be considered as aerated if it contains at least 5 vol-% of a gas. The gas may be C0 , or N ₂ , for example, or may be air. The creation and characterization of aerated food products is, for example, reviewed in Trends in Food Science & Technology 10 (1999) 283-296.

A shape is three-dimensional, if it extends in all three dimensions. For the purpose of the present invention, a shape may be considered three-dimensional, if the shortest dimension has at least 1/100 of the length of the longest dimension, for example at least 1/50 of the length of the longest dimension, or for example at least 1/10 of the length of the longest dimension. Further, for example, the shapes may have a length in the shorter dimension in the range of about 2-4 cm, a length in the longer dimension in the range of about 4-6 cm, and a thickness in the range of about 3 - 7 mm. Any shape may be used. For example, to increase the playfulness of the three-dimensional shape of the present invention, the shape may represent a human being or an animal, for example. The shape may also resemble comic characters, brand names or icons, letters or words, for example. Further the shape may resemble items, such as toys, instruments, sports equipment, or motorized vehicles, for example. The shape may also have a geometric form such as a cube, a cuboid, a pyramid, or a prism, for example. Such regular geometrical forms have the advantage that they allow tight packing and - consequently - contribute to saving packaging material.

As sugar, any sugar may be used. Cane sugar can be used, for example.

As milk powder, any milk powder may be used. For example, full cream milk powder or skimmed milk powder can be used. For consumers that wish to avoid milk, powders of milk alternatives may be used. Powders of milk alternatives may be selected from the group consisting of soy milk powder, almond milk powder, coconut milk powder, rice milk powder, cashew milk powder, peanut milk powder, or combinations thereof.

The three-dimensional shape of the present invention has the advantage that it is soluble in food-grade liquids. For example, it is soluble in milk or in water. Any milk may be used. For example, full cream milk or a milk with reduced fat content, such as skimmed milk, can be used for example. The three-dimensional shape of the present invention is also soluble in milk alternatives such as soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, cashew milk, peanut milk, or combinations thereof.

Hence, the three-dimensional shape according to the present invention may be soluble in milk, in milk alternatives and/or in water. For the purpose of the present invention the term "soluble" shall mean that the three- dimensional shape is substantially homogeneously distributed in the liquid after stirring, even though cocoa is partly insoluble in water. For example, the three- dimensional shape may be considered soluble, if the three-dimensional shape is substantially homogeneously distributed in the liquid at room temperature after 15 seconds of stirring. In a preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional shape may be considered soluble, if the three-dimensional shape is substantially homogeneously distributed in the liquid at room temperature after 10 seconds of stirring. In an even more preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional shape may be considered soluble, if the three-dimensional shape is substantially homogeneously distributed in the liquid at room temperature after 5 seconds of stirring.

The three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention may be obtainable by mixing cocoa, sugar and milk powder in a wet state, by aerating the mixture, freezing them in three dimensional shapes and by freeze drying the mixture.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the three-dimensional shape may comprise about 60-70 weight-% sugar, about 20-30 weight-% cocoa and about 5-15 weight-% milk powder. The inventors have achieved particularly good results with a three-dimensional shape comprising about 64 weight-% sugar, about 26 weight-% cocoa and about 10 weight-% skimmed milk powder.

The sugar may be at least partially replaced by dietary fiber. This may be beneficial for consumers that wish to reduce their sugar consumption.

The three-dimensional shape of the present invention may further comprise about 5 - 55 weight-% of a cereal ingredient. The cereal ingredient may for example be selected selected from the group consisting of oat syrup, protomalt or barley malt extract, corn flour, oat flour, hydrolysed rice, hydrolysed oat, wheat, or combinations thereof. Adding a cereal ingredient has the beneficial effect that the resulting beverage becomes nutritionally even more satisfying. Adding cereal ingredients may have further very interesting effects on the taste of the final product, which the inventors find to be preferred by several consumers.

In a preferred embodiment the cereal ingredient is a cereal extract, more preferred the cereal extract is barley malt extract, even more preferred the barley malt extract is present in an amount of 30 - 40 wt. %. In a further preferred embodiment the cereal ingredient consists of barley malt extract.

In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention the cereal ingredient comprises soluble corn fibers, in particular in a amount of 30 -40 wt. %.

Advantageoulsy, the cereal ingredient comprises a combination of barley malt extract and soluble corn fibers.

In the present context protomalt is barley malt extract. In a particular preferred embodiment of the invention the cereal ingredient comprises malt barley extract.

It has been found that dissolution time in cold of the product according to the invention which comprises barley malt extract is shorter compared to products with other cereal ingredients. Hence, the three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention may comprise about 30-40 weight-% sugar, about 15-25 weight-% cocoa, about 3-12 weight-% skimmed milk powder, and about 35-45 weight-% of a cereal ingredient.

The inventors have achieved particularly good results with a three-dimensional shape comprising about 34 weight-% sugar, about 20 weight-% cocoa, about 6 weight-% skimmed milk powder, and about 40 weight-% protomalt or barley malt extract.

The inventors have also achieved particularly good results with a three-dimensional shape comprising about 34 weight-% sugar, about 20 weight-% cocoa, about 6 weight- % skimmed milk powder, and about 40 weight-% oat syrup. As children grow, they develop new and exciting abilities that allow them to further explore the world and become an active member of society. The accompanying changes in the child's body are dramatic and need to be supported by proper nutrition, an active lifestyle and a caring social environment. Proper growth and development of their children is a key concern of parents. Milk is an excellent source of nutrition to support a good development of children. In one embodiment of the present invention, the three-dimensional shape of the present invention provides a specific composition of vitamins and minerals that complement the goodness of milk and allows it to provide children with what they need to grow and develop. Accordingly, the three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention may comprise vitamins and minerals; for example, vitamins and minerals selected from the group consisting of vitamin D, iron, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, vitamin Bl, vitamin A, or combinations thereof. For example, the three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention may comprise per serving 1.0 - 2.0 pg vitamin D, 2.1-4.2 mg iron, 9-18 mg vitamin C, 2.25- 4.5 mg zinc, 45-90 mg magnesium, 0.21-0.42 mg vitamin Bl, and optionally 120-240 pg vitamin A. Growth is a phenomenon associated with increases in body tissue mass and height. Childhood and adolescence are a critical period for growth, especially bone growth and the achievement of peak bone mass, providing an important opportunity to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later life. Appropriate nutrition and regular physical activity are important factors to ensure normal growth. Several micronutrients are required in order to support the activity of bone forming cells on the inside (organic matrix), which promotes stronger bones outside (inorganic matrix). Calcium and vitamin D are the most studied of these micronutrients. Vitamin D, which plays a key role in bone metabolism by maintaining calcium and phosphate balance in the body. Vitamin D increases both the intestinal absorption and re-absorption of calcium in the kidney thus increasing calcium availability for the bones (Weaver (2007) J. Bone & Mineral Res. 22 (2): 45-49.). Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation and normal function of bones. Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.

As such the three-dimensional shape of the present invention may be an ideal complement to milk which provides the necessary calcium, for example.

Development is a physiological concept indicating the progressive acquisition of the organ specific functions. The brain starts to develop within the first days of conception and continues to grow and develop throughout childhood and beyond. Childhood is a period of particularly rapid brain growth, which results in the emergence of different cognitive functions such as memory, concentration and language. Nutrition plays a key role in cognitive functioning, learning and behaviour but it is especially critical during periods of rapid brain growth. Poor nutrition has been found to impact neurodevelopment, cognition and behaviour. Various studies investigated the effect of supplementation with different combinations of vitamins and minerals on cognition. Whilst differences in the type, duration and dose of supplementation and the methodologies used resulted in inconsistencies in the effects observed and types of cognitive functions being impacted there is evidence that iron and zinc positively influence cognitive function especially in cases of inadequate nutrition. Iron plays an important role in various processes in the brain including the production of myelin and the synthesis and breakdown of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which is important for cognitive functions such as attention and executive function. Zinc is a critical nutrient for the development of the central nervous system, which is involved in neurotransmission associated with memory function. Magnesium, thiamin (vitamin Bl) and vitamin C support normal function of the nervous system.

In one embodiment of the present invention, one three-dimensional shape of the present invention may represent one serving. Alternatively, two, three or four three- dimensional shapes of the present invention may represent one serving. For example, a three-dimensional shape of the present invention may have a weight in the range of about 2-5 g, for example about 3-4 g. On serving may represent a grammage of 5-20 g, for example. Hence, the three- dimensional shape may have a serving size in the range of 5- 20 g, for example 7-14 g. Further, for example, one three-dimensional shape may have a weight in the range of about 5- 20 g, for example about 7-14 g. The inventors have found that aeration helps the dissolution speed of the three- dimensional shape of the present invention, in particular if the total solids (TS) of the wet mix is between 42 and 35 weight-%. The inventors have achieved particularly good results if the aeration of the three-dimensional shape of the present invention was at least about 10 vol-%, at least about 15 vol-%, or at least about 20-vol-%. The inventors have further found that when the TS of the wet mix was between 35 and 25 weight-% no aeration was necessary. In a preferred embodiment with a TS (Total Solids) of above 35 to 45 %, the aeration is 20 to 35 vol-%. The three-dimensional shape of the present invention may yield after dissolution in milk or water a cocoa based beverage.

The three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention may be dissolved in an amount of liquid that can conveniently be consumed by a consumer of a target group in a single consumption moment. A person skilled in the art will be able to determine appropriate amounts of liquid appropriately. For example, the three- dimensional shape may be to be dissolved in about 100 ml - 300 ml of liquid, for example, water, milk alternative or milk. Further, for example, the three-dimensional shape may be to be dissolved in about 150 ml - 250 ml of liquid, for example, water, milk alternative or milk.

The three-dimensional shape of the present invention has the advantage that over- or underdosing is avoided. Further, the three-dimensional shapes are easier to use than powder or granulate without the risk of spilling beverage powder or granulate on the floor or on the table. This is in particular important for children and for people with problems to hold their hands steady. Hence, the three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention may be to be administered to children.

In general, the three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention may be used to produce cocoa-based beverages at any consumption occasion at any time of the day. For example, the three-dimensional shape of the present invention may be to be consumed during breakfast, during the morning, as a snack, in the evening or after sports, for example. As so far, most cocoa based beverages are consumed during breakfast, the three-dimensional shape of the present invention may be to be consumed during breakfast.

The three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention may be produced by a process comprising the following steps:

- Mixing of the ingredients

- Pasteurisation

- Optional Aeration

- Freezing in molds

- Freeze-drying.

It is preferred that the freezing in the molds takes place at a temperature below - 35°C, preferably at a temperature of - 35°C to -80°C.

The inventors have produced particularly good results with a process comprising the following steps:

- Mixing of the ingredients

- Pasteurisation at about 80 to 100°C for about 2 -5 mins, alternatively at about 73 to 100°C for 15 sec - 5 min or 2 - 5 mins,

- Optional aeration to reach an over-run in the range of 0-50 vol-%„ for example 15-40 vol-%

Freezing in molds at a temperature in the range of about -20°C - -80°C, alternatively in the range of about -20°C - -70°C and preferably below - 35°C, and more preferably at a temperature of - 35°C to -80°C.

- Freeze-drying for a time in the range of 15 hours to 1 week, preferably from 15 hours - 48h. The three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention, in particular - but not only - if the three-dimensional shape is supplemented with vitamins and/or minerals, may be for use in treating or preventing an impaired growth and development in children, and/or in supporting a healthy growth and development in children.

The subject matter of the present invention also extends to the use of the three- dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention for the preparation of a composition for treating or preventing an impaired growth and development in children, and/or supporting a healthy growth and development in children.

Finally, the three-dimensional shape in accordance with the present invention, may be for use in complementing the goodness of milk. Those skilled in the art will understand that they can freely combine all features of the present invention disclosed herein. In particular, features described for the product of the present invention may be combined with the use of the present invention and vice versa. Further, features described for different embodiments of the present invention may be combined.

Although the invention has been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred in this specification. Further advantages and features of the present invention are apparent from the figures and non-limiting examples. Examples:

Example 1 Recipes:

The following three recipes were prepared: Methods:

Pasteurisation For example, bench pasteurization:

Place all the ingredients in the thermomix

Heat to 60°C at 3.5-4 mixing speed and hold for around 5 min

Increase the temperature to 90°C, hold for 3 min

Cool down quickly to 6 to 8°C

Other methods of pasteurization can also be used

Aeration When the TS of the wet mix is between 42 to 35 weight-% aeration is used in order to achieve better dissolution. Two methods have been used:

1) Modomixer: Place the mixture in the Mondomixer, operate to reach an over-run of 20-30 vol-% (min and max)

2) Place mixture in a kitchen machine with whisk attachment, whisk until the reach an over-run of 20-30 vol-% (min and max)

Other aeration devices may also be used.

If the TS is between 35 and 25 weight-% no aeration is necessary.

Freezing Place the aerated mixture in molds as fast as possible Put them in a -50°C freezer for at least 6 hours Freeze-drying Demold the pieces quickly, avoiding thawing

Put the pieces in the freeze dryer for at least 48 hours with the following conditions (2 possibilities):

Freezing Primary drying

Alternative Freeze- drying parameters: Example 2

Example 2 shows a comparison of recipes according to the invention with dissolution time in cold and warm milk. It has been shown that the product according to the invention which comprises barley malt extract has a short dissolution time in cold water.