Preparation of drinks, e.g. coffee, fruit tea, fruit juice etc. enriched with divalent iron

摘要

A method for the preparation of drinks based on drinking, spring, table or mineral water, which contain divalent iron (Fe<2+>) ions, comprises dissolving a divalent (in)organic iron salt in the water part of the drink, eg. black coffee, fruit teas, drinking water/fruit juice mixture or pop, or in the water itself, to give an Fe<2+> cation concentration of 0.1-20 (preferably 2-10) mg/l. The stability of the Fe<2+> ions in the drink is guaranteed by one of the following methods : (1) ensuring that the water (part) in which the salt is dissolved has a pH of 2-5 (3-4), or by dissolving at least one acid (preferably edible acids such as citric acid, gluconic acid or phosphoric acid) in the water (part) before the salt is added ; (2) dissolving a powdered mixture of the salt with citric acid and (fruit) sugar or sweetener optionally containing ascorbic acid and calcium, magnesium and/or potassium carbonate in the water (part); (3) addition of a concentrated aqueous solution of the salt to the water (part) with an edible acid. Citric acid is used for the preparation of fruit-flavoured lemonade-type drinks (eg. orangeade) and phosphoric acid is used for the preparation of "Coca-Cola" (RTM). Powdered mixtures of divalent iron salts and edible acids without sugar, optionally containing ascorbic acid (and if drinking water is being used, optionally containing calcium, magnesium and/or potassium carbonates) or concentrates containing these mixtures can be added directly to the water (part) in order to make the drinks. For the preparation of coffee or fruit tea, portions of crushed or powdered mixtures of a divalent iron salt with citric acid are mixed with the drink components which are at least partially soluble in hot or cold water and the mixture is dissolved in the drinking water part of the drink. The preparation of orangeade or "Coca-Cola" (RTM) comprises mixing a concentrated divalent iron salt/citric acid or phosphoric acid mixture solution with the drink ingredients, or the drinks can be made using drinking or mineral water with the corresponding Fe<2+> ion concentration. "Coca-Cola" (RTM) and fruit nectar drinks contain increased Fe<2+> ion concentrations of 70-100 and 40-70 mg/l respectively without any effect on their taste.