Process for producing a natural fruit candy

Claim 2

A process for producing a natural fruit candy comprising the steps of: (a) mixing enzyme deactivated dehydrated fruit having a moisture content no greater than 3% by weight and enzyme deactivated fruit juice concentrate to provide a mixture in the form of a plastic mass, the relative proportions of dehydrated fruit to fruit juice concentrate being such that said plastic mass has a moisture content in the range of 8 to 50% by weight, (b) holding the plastic mass for at least four hours to permit equalization of the moisture content throughout the mass by reason of natural osmosis and (c) forming individual candies from the plastic mass.

Claim 3

A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mixture is held for a period of from 4 to 12 hours.

Claim 4

A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fruit juice concentrate is in the form of a puree concentrated to about 30 to 34 Brix.

Claim 5

A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the moisture content of the mixture is in the range of 8 to 20% by weight such that the product may be stored for a substantial period of time in a non-frozen condition without the addition of a preservative.

Claim 6

A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the candies are frozen after forming to the required product configuration.

Claim 7

A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dehydrated fruit and fruit concentrate are derived from the same fruit.

Claim 8

A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dehydrated fruit and fruit juice concentrate are derived from different fruits.

Claim 9

A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dehydrated fruit and fruit juice are derived from one or any combination of the following fruits: ______________________________________ Apple Fig Peach Apricot Grape Pear Blackberry Grapefruit Pineapple Blackcurrent Guava Plum Blueberry Lemon Prune Cherry Lime Red Currant Cranberry Mango Raspberry Coconut Orange Soursop Date Papaya Strawberry Elderberry Passionfruit Tamarind ______________________________________

Claim 10

A process for producing a natural fruit candy comprising the steps of: (a) dehydrating and enzyme deactivating a fruit to a moisture level of 2 to 3% by weight, (b) preparing an enzyme deactivated fruit juice concentrate having a concentration of about 60 to 76' Brix, (c) mixing said enzyme deactivated dehydrated fruit and said enzyme deactivated fruit juice concentrate in the proportions required to provide a mixture in the form of a plastic mass having a moisture content in the range of 8 to 50% by weight, (d) holding plastic mass for at least four hours to permit equalization of the moisture content throughout the mass by means of natural osmosis, (e) forming the mixture to provide a plurality of candies.

Claim 11

A process for producing a natural fruit candy comprising the steps of: (a) dehydrating and enzyme deactivating a fruit to a moisture level of 2 to 3% by weight, (b) preparing an enzyme deactivated fruit juice concentrate having a concentration of about 60 to 76' Brix, (c) mixing said enzyme deactivated dehydrated fruit and said enzyme deactivated fruit juice concentrate in the proportions required to provide a mixture in the form of a plastic mass having a moisture content in the range of 8 to 50% by weight, (d) holding plastic mass for at least four hours to permit equalization of the moisture content throughout the mass by means of natural osmosis, (e) forming the mixture to provide a plurality of candies.

Claim 12

A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mixture is held for a period of from 4 to 12 hours.

Claim 13

A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the fruit juice concentrate is in the form of a puree concentrated to about 30/34 Brix.

Claim 14

A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the moisture content of the mixture is in the range of 8 to 20% by weight such that the product may be stored for a substantial period of time in a non-frozen condition without the addition of preservative.

Claim 15

A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the candies are frozen after forming.

Claim 16

A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the dehydrated fruit and fruit concentrate are derived from the same fruit.

Claim 17

A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the dehydrated fruit and fruit juice concentrate are derived from different fruits.

Claim 18

A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the dehydrated fruit and fruit juice are derived from one or any combination of the following fruits: ______________________________________ Apple Fig Peach Apricot Grape Pear Blackberry Grapefruit Pineapple Blackcurrent Guava Plum Blueberry Lemon Prune Cherry Lime Red Currant Cranberry Mango Raspberry Coconut Orange Soursop Date Papaya Strawberry Elderberry Passionfruit Tamarind ______________________________________