Sorbitol Powder
Sorbitol powder is a sugar alcohol derived from glucose, typically found in fruits like apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. It is often used as a sugar substitute in various food products due to its sweet taste and lower calorie content compared to sucrose (table sugar). Sorbitol is commonly used in sugar-free or reduced-sugar foods, such as candies, gums, baked goods, and beverages, to provide sweetness without the added calories and potential negative effects of regular sugar. Additionally, sorbitol has humectant properties, meaning it can help retain moisture in foods, making it useful in products like chewing gum and certain types of confectionery. It’s also sometimes used in pharmaceuticals and personal care products.
Features
- Sweetness: Sorbitol is approximately 60% to 70% as sweet as sucrose (table sugar), making it a suitable sweetening agent for products where a reduction in sugar content is desired without compromising taste.
- Humectant: Sorbitol has humectant properties, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. This makes it beneficial for enhancing the texture and shelf life of various food products, such as baked goods, candies, and chewing gum.
- Solubility: Sorbitol is highly soluble in water, which makes it easy to incorporate into liquid formulations such as beverages, syrups, and pharmaceutical preparations.
- Bulking agent: Sorbitol can serve as a bulking agent in food products, providing bulk and texture similar to sugar without the added calories.
Benefits
- Reduced calorie intake: Sorbitol powder is lower in calories compared to sucrose (table sugar), making it a suitable option for individuals looking to reduce their overall calorie consumption.
- Sugar-free option: Products sweetened with sorbitol powder provide sweetness without the use of sucrose or other high-calorie sweeteners, making them suitable for individuals following sugar-free or low-sugar diets.
- Tooth-friendly: Sorbitol is non-cariogenic, meaning it does not promote tooth decay. Products sweetened with sorbitol can be enjoyed without concerns about damaging tooth enamel or contributing to dental cavities.
- Suitable for special diets: Sorbitol powder is often used in products targeted towards individuals with diabetes or those following a ketogenic diet, as it has minimal impact on blood sugar levels.
Applications
- Home Baking: Sorbitol powder can be used as a sugar substitute in baking recipes such as cakes, cookies, muffins, and bread. It provides sweetness without the added calories of sugar and can help achieve desirable texture and moisture retention in baked goods.
- Beverages: Customers can sweeten homemade beverages such as iced tea, lemonade, or fruit juices with sorbitol powder. It dissolves easily in liquids.
- Frozen Desserts: Sorbitol powder can be used to sweeten homemade ice creams, sorbets, and frozen yogurts. Its ability to lower the freezing point of water helps prevent the formation of ice crystals, resulting in smoother and creamier frozen desserts.