| abstract |
This application relates to storage stable beverage concentrates for preparing beverages and food compositions which are nutritionally supplemented with significant levels of calcium and to a method for preparing these concentrates. The beverage concentrates have a greater than 5 fold concentration and comprise: (a) from about 0.2% to about 1.20%, by weight, solubilized calcium; (b) from about 0.7% to about 8.25%, by weight, of an acid component comprising a mixture of citric acid and malic acid wherein said mixture has a weight ratio of citric acid to malic acid of from about 5:95 to about 50:50; (c) from about 0.05% to about 1.2%, by weight, of an acidic anion component selected from the group consisting of chloride ion, nitrate ion, sulfate ion and mixtures thereof; (d) an effective amount of a flavor component; and (e) from about 35% to about 80% sugar by weight on a dry basis; (f) from about 20% to about 65%, by weight, water; wherein the weight ratio of said acid component to said solubilized calcium is from about 3.5 to about 6.5 and said beverage concentrate has a pH of less than or equal to about 4.5, preferably less than or equal to about 3.5. These beverage concentrates are stable at temperatures of greater than 90 DEG F. (32 DEG C.) for at least about 30 days. An added benefit is their stability for at least about 120 days at temperatures of from about 70 DEG F. (21 DEG C.) to about 90 DEG F. (32 DEG C.). |