Evaporative process for producing coffee glass

Claim 1

A process for preparing an improved soluble coffee product comprising: (a) evaporating a totally coffee extract to at least 45% totally coffee-derived solids; (b) recovering an aroma from the totally coffee extract either prior to and/or during said evaporation; (c) further evaporating said totally coffee extract of at least 45% totally coffee-derived solids to a viscoelastic fluid of 91 to about 96% totally coffee-derived solids by forming a thin film of concentrated extract on a heated evaporator wall and propelling the extract down the wall in a thin film by use of rotating blades having a wall clearance of about 1/8 inch while maintaining the fluid at 80° to 100° C.; (d) collecting said fluid and pumping said fluid through a confined pressurized headspace mixing zone where coffee aroma is added and thoroughly mixed into the fluid; (e) rapidly cooling the mixture to trap the coffee aroma within a brittle coffee glass, the solids content of which is 100% coffee-derived with a retention of said coffee aroma of at least 80% or more of volatiles; and (f) grinding and sizing the mixture and drying if necessary to a stable moisture content of less than 6% water.