Abstract: Granular water-soluble food ingredients which deteriorate upon exposure to the atmosphere, such as hygroscopic organic acids which cake or coloring agents which oxidize, are protected by encapsulation in a protective coating consisting essentially of 5-37% a fatty acid derivative selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate and lecithin, 15-56% propylene glycol and 38-62% flow agent, e.g., fumed silica or carboxymethylcellulose. The resulting coated particles have a long shelf life and still are substantially instantaneously soluble in water.