Erythritol

Processed

Erythritol

Erythritol is a four-carbon sugar alcohol produced commercially by fermenting glucose with food-grade yeasts or other approved microbes, then crystallising a clean white bulk sweetener. It delivers about sixty to seventy percent of sucrose sweetness with a cooling mouthfeel and roughly zero usable calories for most people, because much of it is absorbed and excreted unchanged. Bakers and confectioners use it to rebuild bulk and freeze-point depression lost when sugar is removed, often in partnership with high-intensity sweeteners that cover the sweetness gap. Crystals dissolve in water, resist browning, and stay fairly stable in heat, though pure erythritol can recrystallise in chocolates and frostings if formulas are not balanced. It is gentler on blood glucose than many polyols and typically causes less gastrointestinal distress at moderate servings than sorbitol or maltitol, though large loads may still affect sensitive people. Food grades specify assay, reducing sugars, and particle size for tabletop blends and industrial dry mixes.

Also known as: E968, Erythritol, E968

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Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

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Characteristics

Preparations

Baked Into Low-Sugar GoodsBlended With High-Intensity SweetenerCrystalline BulkDissolved SyrupPowdered For Dusting

Provenance

Food GradeHalalKosherNon-GMOOrganicVegan

Sources

Indoor FarmedPlantation

Traits

Bulk SweetenerCooling TasteFunctional Group: SweetenerLow CalorieLow GlycaemicSugar AlcoholTooth FriendlyWhite Crystal

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 399

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 0.96 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.52 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 0.2 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0.21 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Sodium 20 mg
  • Salt 0.05 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 87 g
  • Dietary Fibre 0 g
  • Total Sugars 82.3 g
  • Complex / starch 2.12 g
  • Protein 1.97 g
  • Water 4.74 g
Detailed nutrients

Refined processed sweeteners and additives are energy-dense carbohydrate with little else.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Erythritol.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

GB

Erythritol was first isolated by the chemist John Stenhouse from lichen-related sources.

Microbial production routes made larger-scale food use of erythritol commercially realistic.

JP

Japanese food industry expanded erythritol in sugar-free confectionery and beverages.

US

Broader Western GRAS and food-use adoption placed erythritol in mainstream low-sugar products.

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