Abstract:
Described is a tastand-containing product produced from Saccharum officinarum leaves (sugarcane leaves) by means of carrying out one or more physical separation unit operations on a plurality of such leaves, macerates thereof or mixtures of leaves and macerates thereof whereby a tastand composition is separated and isolated from the remainder of the plurality of leaves, macerates thereof or mixtures of leaves and macerates thereof. The term "tastand" is intended to mean a composition of matter which: (i) effects flavor improvement; (ii) imparts flavor; (iii) effects sweetness enhancement; (iv) effects removal of bitter tastes and aftertastes; and/or (v) effects removal of metallic tastes and metallic aftertastes. Such unit operations include pressurization using hydraulic press means, steam distillation, factional distillation, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, volatile solvent extraction and/or charcoal column separation means. Also described are compositions comprising (a) such tastand compositions in admixture with (b) an eatable (e. g.