This invention provides a method for making a soft material of vegetable substance of which the shape as foodstuff is maintained and which is suited for food for senior persons. The method comprises the steps of: (1) preparing defrosted food by freezing and defrosting the foodstuff, (2) immersing the defrosted foodstuff in a dispersion liquid of pectin decomposing enzyme or a cellurose decomposing enzyme under a reduced pressure, (3) heat treating the immersed defrosted foodstuff under the temperature of and for a time period for ceasing the activities of the pectin decomposing enzyme and the cellurose decomposing enzyme. The defrosting process of the above step (1) may be performed simultaneously with the next step of enzyme impregnation process under a reduced pressure.本發明係提供一種特別適用於製造高齡者用之食品且可保持食材的形狀之軟質植物質素材的製造方法。本發明之軟質植物質素材的製造方法,其特徵在於具有如下之步驟:(1)使植物質素材凍結(亦稱為冷凍),解凍,而調製解凍素材之步驟;(2)使前述解凍素材在減壓下浸漬於果膠分解酵素或纖維素分解酵素之分散液中之步驟;(3)使前述所浸漬之解凍素材,在停止前述果膠分解酵素或纖維素分解酵素之活性的溫度及時間下,進行加熱處理之步驟。又,可使上述步驟(1)中之解凍處理與下一步驟之減壓下的酵素含浸處理同時進行。
