Abstract: A sweetener particle includes a solid core, a first solid layer on the solid core, and a second solid layer on the first solid layer, the second solid layer defining an outermost surface of the particle. The solid core includes a first edible carbohydrate, the first solid layer includes a non-carbohydrate sweetener and optionally a second edible carbohydrate, and the second solid layer includes a sweet carbohydrate but no non-carbohydrate sweetener. The particles may be made by a) applying to a particulate core material including a first edible carbohydrate a solution of a non-carbohydrate sweetener and optionally a second edible carbohydrate in a solvent, and removing the solvent to form a first solid layer on the core material; and b) applying to the product of a) a solution of a sweet carbohydrate in a solvent and removing the solvent to form a second solid layer on the first solid layer.

Abstract: Poppable granules each including a heat-expandable core encapsulated by a solid coating layer including a polymer. For at least 90 wt% of the granules: a) the core includes at least 50 wt% starch, exclusive of moisture, and has a spherical or oval shape having an aspect ratio not exceeding 3.0:1; b) all components of the granules are food-safe; c) the core includes moisture in a range from 1 wt% to 15 wt%; d) the weight of the coating layer is in a range from 2% to 50% of the weight of the core; and e) the smallest dimension of the core is in a range from 1 mm to 10 mm. A foodstuff may be prepared by popping a multiplicity of the poppable granules.

Abstract: A method of freeze drying sucralose includes contacting a sucralose solution with a cold surface or a cold fluid to freeze the solution, and evaporating the solvent to dry the sucralose. The sucralose solution may include undissolved crystalline sucralose. Non-agglomerated sucralose spheres may be produced in some aspects of the invention.