Abstract: A surface active composition is prepared by reacting solid particulate sucrose with at least one triglyceride, in the presence of a basic transesterification catalyst, at a temperature of from 110.degree. to 140.degree. C, at atmospheric pressure and in the absence of any solvent. The preferred temperature range is 120.degree. to 130.degree. C, most preferably about 125.degree. C. The preferred catalyst is potassium carbonate. The reaction can be accelerated by adding a suitable emulsifier, such as a diglyceride, a monoglyceride or a surfactant product of the reaction, to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A supersaturated sugar syrup is crystallized following the catastrophic homogeneous nucleation induced by application of a shear force having a velocity gradient of at least 5000 cm/sec/cm, e.g. by a colloid mill or a homogenizer.