Abstract: Provided is an approach for obtaining a high quality xylitol-containing candy in a short period of time. A candy composition according to the present invention contains a sugar composition portion comprising xylitol as a main component and a different carbohydrate, and a crystallization promoting agent promoting crystallization of the xylitol. The crystallization promoting agent is a substance which leaves solid residues in a melt of the sugar composition portion when a powder of the crystallization promoting agent in an amount of 0.5 g is added to 100 g of the melt maintained at 90° C., and stirred for 30 minutes. The content of the crystallization promoting agent is preferably from 0.5 parts by mass to 10 parts by mass relative to the candy composition. The crystallization promoting agent is preferably selected from a tea powder, a coffee powder, a cocoa powder, a talc powder, a calcium carbonate powder, a silicic anhydride powder, a magnesium carbonate powder, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A chewing gum product is formed by a method that includes extruding a chewing gum material to form an extruded body portion with capillaries, adding a fill material to at least one capillary to form a filled extruded body, and separating the filled extruded body to form the chewing gum product. The fill material includes about 20 to about 80 weight percent sorbitol, and about 20 to about 80 weight percent xylitol, wherein the total of sorbitol and xylitol is at least 80 weight percent. On cooling, the fill material crystallizes to form a crunchy filling.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a flowable food composition which contains xylitol in an amount sufficient to obtain excellent sweetness and which can retain the flowability over a long period even when the water content is low; and a confection which is obtained using the flowable food composition. This flowable food composition comprises glycerol, xylitol, which is contained in an amount effective for sweetness, and one or more sugar alcohols excluding xylitol and glycerol. The sugar alcohols preferably comprise one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, maltitol, and reduced palatinose. This confection comprises a center composition which comprises the flowable food composition and a shell composition with which at least some of the center composition is surrounded, the shell composition being selected from the group consisting of candy, chewing gum, and chocolate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a candy wherein loss of a soft component contained therein is minimized, allowing the benefits of the soft component to be enjoyed, and a feeling of roughness in the mouth is reduced. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing said candy. The disclosed candy (10) is provided with: a first region (20) containing a dispersion comprising a liquid dispersoid and an oil-based dispersion medium; and a second region (30) that at least partially encloses the first region (20) and comprises a hard candy composition that has been hardened. The disclosed method for manufacturing the candy comprises a procedure wherein the dispersion, which comprises the liquid dispersoid and the oil-based dispersion medium, is positioned in a melted hard candy composition and then said melted composition is hardened.