Shelf Stable, Concentrated, Liquid Flavorings And Methods of Preparing Beverages With The Concentrated Liquid Flavorings

Abstract

Concentrated liquid flavorings and methods of preparing flavored beverages using the concentrated liquid flavorings are described herein. The concentrated liquid flavorings are shelf stable for prolonged storage times at ambient temperatures. Shelf stability is provided, at least in part, by acidic pH and/or reduced water activity. By one approach, the concentrated liquid flavorings are intended to provide flavor to a beverage, such as coffee, tea, milk, or other savory beverage. The concentrated liquid flavorings may be provided in a convenient portable and dosable format that can be easily used by a consumer to provide the desired flavor and amount of flavor to a beverage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A concentrated liquid flavoring comprising:
 about 10 to about 90 percent water;   about 2 to about 40 percent flavor component, the flavor component comprising a flavor key in an amount effective to provide about 0.1 to about 10 percent flavor key by weight of the concentrated liquid flavoring, and   an amount of sweetener effective to provide the flavoring with a sweetness of about 50 to about 65 degrees Brix,   the concentrated liquid flavoring having a pH of about 5.0 to about 7.0.   
     
     
         2 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of sweetener in the flavoring is effective to provide less than 2 degree Brix to a beverage when the concentrated liquid flavoring is diluted in a beverage at a ratio of about 1:40 to about 1:160. 
     
     
         3 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 1 , wherein the flavoring has a water activity of less than about 0.76. 
     
     
         4 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 1 , wherein the flavoring further comprises less than about 30 percent non-aqueous liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 1 , wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 5.0 to about 5.2. 
     
     
         6 . A concentrated liquid flavoring having reduced water activity, the concentrated liquid flavoring comprising:
 about 10 to about 45 percent water;   about 3 to about 40 percent flavor component; and   at least about 40 percent sweetener,   wherein the flavoring has a water activity of less than about 0.84.   
     
     
         7 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 6 , wherein the flavoring has a water activity of less than about 0.76. 
     
     
         8 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 6 , wherein the flavoring further comprises less than about 30 percent non-aqueous liquid. 
     
     
         9 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 6 , wherein the flavor component comprises one or more flavor keys and the total amount of flavor key in the concentrated liquid flavoring is about 0.1 to about 10 percent flavor key by weight of the flavoring. 
     
     
         10 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 6 , wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 5.0 to about 5.5. 
     
     
         11 . A concentrated acidic liquid flavoring having reduced pH, the concentrated liquid flavoring comprising:
 about 10 to about 45 percent water;   about 3 to about 40 percent flavor component; and   less than about 2.0 percent acidulant,   the amount of acidulant effective to provide the concentrated liquid flavoring with a pH of about 3.8 to about 4.5.   
     
     
         12 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 11 , wherein the flavoring further comprises less than about 30 percent non-aqueous liquid. 
     
     
         13 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 11 , wherein the flavor component comprises one or more flavor keys and the total amount of flavor key in the concentrated liquid flavoring is about 0.1 to about 10.0 percent flavor key by weight of the flavoring. 
     
     
         14 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 11 , wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 4.0 to about 4.5. 
     
     
         15 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 11 , wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 4.0 to about 4.2. 
     
     
         16 . The concentrated liquid flavoring according to  claim 11 , wherein the acidulant comprises sodium acid sulfate.