Aldehydes of formula (I) (X represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having up to 9 carbon atoms) for use in taste modulation and/or flavor compositions are provided. Specifically, the compounds of the presently disclosed subject matter provide effective and unexpected taste modulating properties. The taste modulation and/or flavor compositions can be incorporated into various consumer end products in particular in combination with high intensity sweeteners. ##STR00001##

Various ingredients and compositions are prepared from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant. The compositions can be used as bulking agents, and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Provided is a food or beverage product having good taste with sharp astringent taste of cycloaspartylglycine in the food or beverage product reduced. The content of cycloaspartylglycine and the weight ratio of the content of glucose to the content of maltose ([glucose]/[maltose] weight ratio) in the food or beverage product are adjusted to fall within specific ranges.

Various ingredients and compositions are prepared from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant. The compositions can be used as bulking agents, and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

A method for making highly soluble Stevia sweetener compositions is described. The resulting sweetener compositions readily provide high concentration solutions, and also possess superior taste qualities. The compositions can be used as sweeteners, sweetness enhancers, and flavor enhancers in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

A method for making highly soluble Stevia sweetener compositions is described. The resulting sweetener compositions readily provide high concentration solutions, and also possess superior taste qualities. The compositions can be used as sweeteners, sweetness enhancers, and flavor enhancers in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

A method for forming encapsulated sweetener granules (ESGs) may include heating a first mixture to form a molten mixture, the first mixture includes one or more polyols and one or more hydrocolloids; cooling the molten mixture to a first temperature to form a cooled molten mixture; adding one or more high-intensity sweeteners to the cooled molten mixture to form a second mixture; cooling the second mixture to a second temperature to form one or more sheets, the second temperature being different from the first temperature; and fragmenting the one or more sheets to form a plurality of encapsulated sweetener granules. The first temperature may be between about 120° C. and about 200° C. The second temperature may be below a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) of the one or more polyols and the one or more hydrocolloids. For example, the second temperature may be between about 65° C. and about 200° C.

Glucosyl Stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The compositions mainly comprise glucosyl derivatives with superior taste characteristics and can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

An encapsulated flavor, comprising a core material, flavor material and a coating material, the core material comprising a finely-divided native starch, xanthan gum and konjac, the combined weight proportion of the xanthan gum and konjac present in the encapsulated flavour being from about 4% to about 16%, and the relative weight proportions of xanthan gum to konjac being from about 20:80 to about 80:20. The encapsulated flavors may be completely gelatin-free, while retaining the desirable qualities of gelatin.

Provided herein are compositions with enhanced sweetness or reduced caloric content per weight when compared to the sweetener carbohydrate or sweetener polyol component thereof, and methods for the preparation thereof.