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., foodstuff, beverage,
chewing gum, non-calorie food component or medicine) having a bitter
and/or metallic taste. The eatable is any such ingested material taken by
mammals, as exemplified by bitter chocolate or a drug such as ibuprofen.