Maltol is a naturally occurring organic compound found in the bark of larch trees, pine needles, roasted malt, and caramelized sugars. It được sử dụng rộng rãi in the food ngành công nghiệp as a chất tăng cường hương vị that amplifies the perception of sweetness without adding calories.
Maltol produces a đặc trưng warm, sweet, caramel and freshly baked bread aroma ở nồng độ rất thấp. It is particularly effective in masking undesirable off-flavors and improving the taste of artificial chất tạo ngọts in sugar-reduced công thức. Maltol is supplied as a white crystalline powder that is stable under tiêu chuẩn food chế biến conditions including baking and retort.