The invention relates to a process for producing a substantially stable
dispersion without manufacturing aids, where the dispersion consists
essentially of a hydrophobic plant sterol and an aqueous material,
wherein the plant sterol is selected from plant sterols and plant
stanols. The process comprises mixing the plant sterol with the aqueous
material to form a first dispersion The next steps involve heating the
first dispersion to form a heated mixture, followed by homogenizing the
heated mixture to obtain a second dispersion of particles wherein the
particle size of the hydrophobic plant sterol particles in the first
dispersion and the second dispersion is from about 0.1 micron to about 30
microns. In one embodiment, the aqueous material consists essentially of
a beverage concentrate, which includes a juice concentrate, such as a
citrus juice concentrate, e.g., an orange juice concentrate. The
invention also relates to a product produced by this process and a
composition of matter which is a substantially stable dispersion of a
hydrophobic plant sterol and an aqueous material wherein the plant sterol
is selected from plant sterols and plant stanols, where in order to
substantially avoid a powdery taste in the dispersion, the particle size
of the plant sterol particles is from about 0.1 micron to about 30
microns and the majority of hydrophobic plant sterol particles within
this range will be from about 0.2 microns to about 10 microns and will
substantially follow a bell curve distribution. This composition may be
made by the process of the invention, or may further include
manufacturing aids selected from food grade emulsifiers, gums, starches
and pectins.