| abstract |
The present invention relates to a soluble coffee beverage powder, which, upon the addition of water, forms a coffee beverage having a foamed upper surface. In particular the invention relates to a soluble coffee beverage which closely assimilates the texture characteristics of an Italian espresso, namely a beverage with a fine crema, but which has a reduced bitterness compared with freshly brewed espresso but which nevertheless is strong in aroma. The soluble coffee beverage powder includes a soluble gas containing matrix that has between 10% and 35% soluble coffee solids by weight of the total dry matter of the matrix, from about 10% to about 35% pre-flocculated creamer by weight, and from about 12% to about 30% oligosaccharrides effective to dilute protein in the creamer by weight. The soluble beverage powder upon reconstitution with hot water provides a foamed upper surface based upon all of the ingredients, and in which the foamed upper layer substantially all of the foam is made up of bubbles having a diameter in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 mm. For a particular good aroma the soluble coffee beverage powder includes aqueous aroma. In another aspect, the invention relates to a process for making such a product. |