Abstract: A soft candy is disclosed, which comprises erythritol, a sugar or a sugar alcohol other than erythritol, a fat and an emulsifier. A process for producing a soft candy is also disclosed, which comprises concentrating a mixture of erythritol with a sugar or a sugar alcohol other than erythritol and water by heating, adding a fat, in which an emulsifier has been dispersed, thereto and homogeneously kneading the resulting mixture. The soft candy of the present invention comprising erythritol as the main sweetening component is not coarse but smooth in texture. In addition, it is low-caloric and low-corrosive compared with the existing ones containing sucrose.

Abstract: A low-caloric sweetening composition of micro-crystalline appearance comprises microcrystalline mesoerythritol particles whose surface is coated with a sweetening component containing at least one nonsugar sweetener, an amount of which is adjusted to within ranges from 9.4 to 2.6, preferably 6.5 to 2.6, with respect to a product of a weight part of the nonsugar sweetener per weight part of the mesoerythritol as one and a relative sweetness of the nonsugar sweetener to a sucrose. When plural nonsugar sweeteners are contained, the product is calculated as a sum of the products obtained in terms of each nonsugar sweetener.

Abstract: A process for readily isolating and recovering highly pure erythritol at a high crystallization yield from an erythritol-containing culture medium, which contains erythritol together with various impurities such as salts, coloring materials and polysaccharides, through chromatographic separation with the use of a strongly acidic cation exchange resin. The process of the present invention can be continuously operated, since the lowered separation capability of said cation exchange resin can be readily restored by treating the same with a warm alkali solution.

Abstract: A sweetener composition comprising mesoerythritol and various nonsugar sweetener(s) which are employed for modifying the taste of the mesoerythritol. The sweetener composition of the present invention, which exhibits a sweetness closely similar to that of sugar, is a low-caloric and non-nutritive product and available in sweetening, for example, various foods.

Abstract: A fermented milk comprising 10 to 20% by weight of mesoerythritol is disclosed. This fermented milk shows scarcely any change in pH value and maintains a refreshing and desirable sweetness upon storage at a high temperature, e.g., 15.degree. C. for a week.

Abstract: A hard candy which comprises meso-erythritol and saccharides selected from among sugars and sugar alcohols other than meso-erythritol as the main components as well as a process for producing the same are disclosed. The hard candy of the present invention has an excellent texture and a high keeping quality, compared with conventional ones.

Abstract: A dehydrated food which is obtained by cooking a food material selected from among, for example, flesh or fish meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts and dough for fried bun or fried cake in erythritol instead of an edible oil employed in a conventioal frying process; and thus has a surface formed by the erythritol. This dehydrated food has a crispy texture and a prolonged shelf life. Further it is low-caloric compared with conventional food products fried in an oil and thus preferable from the viewpoint of maintaining the health.