This invention is directed to an acid beverage composition, comprising;
(A) a hydrated protein stabilizing agent;
(B) at least one flavoring material comprising a fruit juice, a vegetable
juice, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic
acid, glucono delta lactone or phosphoric acid; and
(C) a slurry of an aqueous protein material wherein the slurry of the
aqueous protein material is prepared by a process, comprising;
(1) preparing an aqueous extract from a protein containing material,
(2) adjusting the pH of the aqueous extract to a value of from about 4 to
about 5 to precipitate the protein material,
(3) separating the precipitated protein material and forming a suspension
of the precipitated protein material in water,
(4) adjusting the pH of the suspension to a value of from about 4.0 to
about 6.0 to form a slurry of an aqueous protein material, and optionally
(5) pasteurizing the slurry of the aqueous protein material;
wherein the acid beverage composition has a pH of from 3.0 to 4.5.
Also disclosed are several processes for preparing an acid beverage
composition.