AU2006318752A1 - Confection with high-potency sweetener - Google Patents

Description

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 1 CONFECTION WITH HIGH-POTENCY SWEETENER 5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a confection comprising a high-potency sweetener composition with improved temporal profile and/or flavor profile. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Natural caloric sugars, such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose are utilized heavily in beverage, food, pharmaceutical, and oral hygienic/cosmetic industries due to their pleasant taste. In particular, sucrose imparts a desirable taste for consumers. Although sucrose provides superior sweetness characteristics, it is caloric. While calories are necessary for 15 proper bodily functions, there is a need in the market to provide alternative non-caloric or low-caloric sweeteners with sugar-like taste for consumers with sedentary lifestyles or those who are calorie conscious. However, in general, non-caloric or low caloric sweeteners have associated undesirable tastes to consumers such as delayed sweetness onset; lingering sweet aftertaste; bitter taste; metallic taste; astringent taste; cooling taste; 20 licorice-like taste; and/or the like. For example, the sweet tastes of natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners are slower in onset and longer in duration than the sweet taste produced by sugar and thus change the taste balance of a food composition. Because of these differences, use of a natural high-potency sweetener to replace a bulk sweetener, such as sugar, in a food or 25 beverage, causes an unbalanced temporal profile and/or flavor profile. In addition to the difference in temporal profile, high-potency sweeteners generally exhibit (i) lower maximal response than sugar, (ii) off tastes including bitter, metallic, cooling, astringent, licorice-like taste, etc., and/or (iii) sweetness which diminishes on iterative tasting. It is well known to those skilled in the art of food/beverage formulation that changing the 30 sweetener in a composition requires re-balancing of the flavor and other taste components (e.g., acidulants). If the taste profile of natural and synthetic high-potency sweeteners could be modified to impart specific desired taste characteristics to be more sugar-like, the WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 2 type and variety of compositions that may be prepared with that sweetener would be significantly expanded. Accordingly, it would be desirable to selectively modify the taste characteristics of natural and synthetic high-potency sweeteners. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally, this invention addresses the above described need by providing a confection having improved temporal profile and/or flavor profile and a method for improving the temporal profile and/or flavor profile for confections. In particular, this invention improves the temporal profile and/or flavor profile by imparting a more sugar 10 like temporal profile and/or flavor profile. More particularly, this invention comprises a confection comprising a base composition; at least one high-potency sweetener; and at least one sweet taste improving composition. Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of 15 the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms and abbreviations used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and compositions similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in practice of the present invention, suitable methods and compositions are described without intending that 20 any such methods and compositions limit the invention herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a powder x-ray diffraction scan of rebaudioside A polymorph Form 1 on a plot of the scattering intensity versus the scattering angle 20 in accordance with an 25 embodiment of this invention. Fig. 2 is a powder x-ray diffraction scan of rebaudioside A polymorph Form 2 on a plot of the scattering intensity versus the scattering angle 20 in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. Fig. 3 is a powder x-ray diffraction scan of rebaudioside A polymorph Form 3A on 30 a plot of the scattering intensity versus the scattering angle 20 in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 3 Fig. 4 is a powder x-ray diffraction scan of rebaudioside A polymorph Form 3B on a plot of the scattering intensity versus the scattering angle 20 in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. Fig. 5 is a powder-x-ray diffraction scan of rebaudioside A polymorph Form 4 on a 5 plot of the scattering intensity versus the scattering angle 20 in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference now will be made in detail to the presently proffered embodiments of 10 the invention. Each example is provided by way of explanation of embodiments of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a still 15 further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Generally described, embodiments of the present invention provide confections comprising at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one sweet 20 taste improving composition, and a base composition. . Confections Embodiments of the confections of the present invention generally comprise the base composition, the at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and the at least one sweet taste improving composition. The confection may be in the form of any 25 food that is typically perceived to be rich in sugar or is typically sweet. According to particular embodiments of the present invention, the confections may be bakery products such as pastries; desserts such as yogurt, jellies, drinkable jellies, puddings, Bavarian cream, blancmange, cakes, brownies, mousse and the like, sweetened food products eaten at tea time or following meals; frozen foods; cold confections, e. g. types of ice cream 30 such as ice cream, ice milk, lacto-ice and the like (food products in which sweeteners and various other types of raw materials are added to milk products, and the resulting mixture is agitated and frozen), and ice confections such as sherbets, dessert ices and the like (food WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 4 products in which various other types of raw materials are added to a sugary liquid, and the resulting mixture is agitated and frozen); general confections, e. g., baked confections or steamed confections such as crackers, biscuits, buns with bean-jam filling, halvah, alfajor, and the like; rice cakes and snacks; table top products; general sugar confections 5 such as chewing gum (e.g. including compositions which comprise a substantially water insoluble, chewable gum base, such as chicle or substitutes thereof, including jetulong, guttakay rubber or certain comestible natural synthetic resins or waxes), hard candy, soft candy, mints, nougat candy, jelly beans, fudge, toffee, taffy, Swiss milk tablet, licorice candy, chocolates, gelatin candies, marshmallow, marzipan, divinity, cotton candy, and the 10 like; sauces including fruit flavored sauces, chocolate sauces and the like; edible gels; crimes including butter crimes, flour pastes, whipped cream and the like; jams including strawberry jam, marmalade and the like; and breads including sweet breads and the like or other starch products, and combinations thereof. As referred to herein, "confection" can mean a sweet, a lollie, a confectionery, or 15 similar term. As referred to herein, "base composition" means any composition which can be a food item and provides a matrix for carrying the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and perhaps other flavors. Suitable base compositions for embodiments of this invention may include flour, yeast, water, salt, butter, eggs, milk, milk powder, liquor, gelatin, nuts, chocolate, citric 20 acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, natural flavors, artificial flavors, colorings, polyols, sorbitol, isomalt, maltitol, lactitol, malic acid, magnesium stearate, lecithin, hydrogenated glucose syrup, glycerine, natural or synthetic gum, starch, and the like, and combinations thereof. Such components generally are recognized as safe (GRAS) and/or are U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved. According to particular embodiments of the 25 invention, the base composition is present in the confection in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 99 weight percent of the confection. Generally, the base composition is present in the confection in an amount, in combination with the at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and the at least one sweet taste improving composition, to provide a food product. 30 The base composition of the confection may optionally include other artificial or natural sweeteners, bulk sweeteners, or combinations thereof. Bulk sweeteners include both caloric and non-caloric compounds. In a particular embodiment, the sweet taste WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 5 improving composition functions as the bulk sweetener. Non-limiting examples of bulk sweeteners include sucrose, dextrose, maltose, dextrin, dried invert sugar, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, levulose, galactose, corn syrup solids, tagatose, polyols (e.g., sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, erythritol, and maltitol), hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, 5 isomalt, trehalose, and mixtures thereof. Generally, the amount of bulk sweetener present in the confection ranges widely depending on the particular embodiment of the confection and the desired degree of sweeteness. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily ascertain the appropriate amount of bulk sweetener. In a particular embodiment, a confection comprises at least one natural and/or 10 synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving composition and a base composition. Generally, the amount of natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener present in the confection ranges widely depending on the particular embodiment of the confection and the desired degree of sweeteness. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily ascertain the appropriate amount of sweetener. In a 15 particular embodiment, the at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener is present in the confection in an amount in the range of about 30 ppm to about 6000 ppm of the confection. In another embodiment, the at least one natural and/or synthetic high potency sweetener is present in the confection in an amount in the range of about 50 ppm to about 3000 ppm of the confection. In embodiments where the confection comprises 20 hard candy, the at least one natural or synthetic high-potency sweetener is present in an amount in the range of about 150 ppm to about 2250 ppm of the hard candy. II. Sweetener Compositions As described hereinabove, the confections comprise at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and at least one sweet taste improving composition. The 25 combination of the at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and at least one sweet taste improving composition, as used herein, comprises the "sweetener composition." As used herein, a base composition is synonymous with a "sweetenable composition." In addition, the combination of the sweetener composition and a base composition comprises a "sweetened composition." 30 A. Natural High-Potency Sweeteners Desirably, the sweetener composition comprises at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener. As used herein the phrases "natural high-potency WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 6 sweetener", "NHPS", "NHPS composition", and "natural high-potency sweetener composition" are synonymous. "NHPS" means any sweetener found in nature which may be in raw, extracted, purified, or any other form, singularly or in combination thereof and characteristically have a sweetness potency greater than sucrose, fructose, or glucose, yet 5 have less calories. Non-limiting examples of NHPSs suitable for embodiments of this invention include rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, dulcoside A, dulcoside B, rubusoside, stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, siamenoside, monatin and its salts (monatin SS, RR, RS, SR), curculin, glycyrrhizic acid and its salts, thaumatin, monellin, 10 mabinlin, brazzein, hernandulcin, phyllodulcin, glycyphyllin, phloridzin, trilobatin, baiyunoside, osladin, polypodoside A, pterocaryoside A, pterocaryoside B, mukurozioside, phlomisoside I, periandrin I, abrusoside A, and cyclocarioside I. NHPS also includes modified NHPSs. Modified NHPSs include NHPSs which have been altered naturally. For example, a modified NHPS includes, but is not limited to, NHPSs which 15 have been fermented, contacted with enzyme, or derivatized or substituted on the NHPS. In one embodiment, at least one modified NHPS may be used in combination with at least one NHPS. In another embodiment, at least one modified NHPS may be used without a NHPS. Thus, modified NHPSs may be substituted for a NHPS or may be used in combination with NHPSs for any of the embodiments described herein. For the sake of 20 brevity, however, in the description of embodiments of this invention, a modified NHPS is not expressly described as an alternative to an unmodified NHPS, but it should be understood that modified NHPSs can be substituted for NHPSs in any embodiment disclosed herein. In one embodiment, extracts of a NIHPS may be used in any purity percentage. In 25 another embodiment, when a NHPS is used as a non-extract, the purity of the NHPS may range for example from about 25% to about 100%. According to other embodiments, the purity of the NHPS may range from about 50% to about 100%; from about 70% to about 100%; from about 80% to about 100%; from about 90% to about 100%; from about 95% to about 100%; from about 95% to about 99.5%; from about 96% to about 100%; from 30 about 97% to about 100%; from about 98% to about 100%; and from about 99% to about 100%.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 7 Purity, as used here, represents the weight percentage of a respective NHPS compound present in a NHPS extract, in raw or purified form. In one embodiment, a steviolglycoside extract comprises a particular steviolglycoside in a particular purity, with the remainder of the stevioglycoside extract comprising a mixture of other 5 steviolglycosides. To obtain a particularly pure extract of a NHPS, such as rebaudioside A, it may be necessary to purify the crude extract to a substantially pure form. Such methods generally are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Briefly described, substantially pure rebaudioside A is crystallized in a single step 10 from an aqueous organic solution comprising at least one organic solvent and water in an amount from about 10 % to about 25 % by weight, more particularly from about 15 % to about 20 % by weight. Organic solvents desirably comprise alcohols, acetone, and acetonitile. Non-limiting examples of alcohols include ethanol, methanol, isopranol, 1 propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, tert-butanol, and isobutanol. Desirably, the at least one 15 organic solvent comprises a mixture of ethanol and methanol present in the aqueous organic solution in a weight ratio ranging from about 20 parts to about 1 part ethanol to 1 part methanol, more desirably from about 3 parts to about 1 part ethanol to 1 part methanol. Desirably, the weight ratio of the aqueous organic solvent and crude rebaudioside 20 A ranges from about 10 to about 4 parts aqueous organic solvent to 1 part crude rebaudioside A, more particularly from about 5 to about 3 parts aqueous organic solvent to 1 part crude rebaudioside A. In an exemplary embodiment, the method of purifying rebaudioside A is carried out at approximately room temperature. In another embodiment, the method of purifying 25 rebaudioside A further comprises the step of heating the rebaudioside A solution to a temperature in a range from about 20*C to about 40*C, or -in another embodiment to a reflux temperature, for about 0.25 hours to about 8 hours. In another exemplary embodiment, wherein the method for purifying rebaudioside A comprises the step of heating the rebaudioside A solution, the method further comprises the step of cooling the 30 rebaudioside A solution to a temperature in the range from about 4'C to about 25"C for about 0.5 hours to about 24 hours.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 8 According to particular embodiments, the purity of rebaudioside A may range from about 50% to about 100%; from about 70% to about 100%; from about 80% to about 100%; from about 90% to about 100%; from about 95% to about 100%; from about 95% to about 99.5%; about 96% to about 100%; from about 97% to about 100%; from about 5 98% to about 100%; and from about 99% to about 100%. According to particularly desirable embodiments, upon crystallization of crude rebaudioside A, the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition comprises rebaudioside A in a purity greater than about 95 % by weight up to about 100% by weight on a dry basis. In other exemplary embodiments, substantially pure rebaudioside A comprises purity levels of rebaudioside A 10 greater than about 97 % up to about 100% rebaudioside A by weight on a dry basis, greater than about 98 % up to about 100% by weight on a dry basis, or greater than about 99 % up to about 100% by weight on a dry basis. The rebaudioside A solution during the single crystallization step may be stirred or unstirred. In an exemplary embodiment, the method of purifying rebaudioside A further 15 comprises the step of seeding (optional step) the rebaudioside A solution at an appropriate temperature with high-purity crystals of rebaudioside A sufficient to promote crystallization of the rebaudioside A to form pure rebaudioside A. An amount of rebaudioside A sufficient to promote crystallization of substantially pure rebaudioside A comprises an amount of rebaudioside A from about 0.0001 % to about 1 % by weight of 20 the rebaudioside A present in the solution, more particularly from about 0.01 % to about 1 % by weight. An appropriate temperature for the step of seeding comprises a temperature in a range from about 18'C to about 35*C. In another exemplary embodiment, the method of purifying rebaudioside A further comprises the steps of separating and washing the substantially pure rebaudioside A 25 composition. The substantially pure rebaudioside A composition may be separated from the aqueous organic solution by a variety of solid-liquid separation techniques that utilize centrifugal force, that include, without limitation, vertical and horizontal perforated basket centrifuge, solid bowl centrifuge, decanter centrifuge, peeler type centrifuge, pusher type centrifuge, Heinkel type centrifuge, disc stack centrifuge and cyclone separation. 30 Additionally, separation may be enhanced by any of pressure, vacuum, and gravity filtration methods, that include, without limitation, the use of belt, drum, nutsche type, leaf, plate, Rosenmund type, sparkler type, and bag filters and filter press. Operation of the WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 9 rebaudioside A solid-liquid separation device may be continuous, semi-continuous or in batch mode. The substantially pure rebaudioside A composition also may be washed on the separation device using various aqueous organic solvents and mixtures thereof. The substantially pure rebaudioside A composition can be dried partially or totally on the 5 separation device using any number of gases, including, without limitation, nitrogen and argon, to evaporate residual liquid solvent. The substantially pure rebaudioside A composition may be removed automatically or manually from the separation device using liquids, gases or mechanical means by either dissolving the solid or maintaining the solid form. 10 In still another exemplary embodiment, the method of purifying rebaudioside A further comprises the step of drying the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition using techniques well known to those skilled in the art, non-limiting examples of which include the use of a rotary vacuum dryer, fluid bed dryer, rotary tunnel dryer, plate dryer, tray dryer, Nauta type dryer, spray dryer, flash dryer, micron dryer, pan dryer, high and 15 low speed paddle dryer and microwave dryer. In an exemplary embodiment, the step of drying comprises drying the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition using a nitrogen or argon purge to remove the residual solvent at a temperature in a range from about 40*C to about 60*C for about 5 hours to about 100 hours. In yet another exemplary embodiment, wherein the crude rebaudioside A mixture 20 comprises substantially no rebaudioside D impurity, the method of purifying rebaudioside A further comprises the step of slurrying the composition of substantially pure rebaudioside A with an aqueous organic solvent prior to the step of drying the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition. The slurry is a mixture comprising a solid and an aqueous organic or organic solvent, wherein the solid comprises the substantially 25 pure rebaudioside A composition and is only sparingly soluble in the aqueous organic or organic solvent. In an embodiment, the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition and aqueous organic solvent are present in the slurry in a weight ratio ranging from about 15 parts to 1 part aqueous organic solvent to 1 part substantially pure rebaudioside A composition. In one embodiment, the slurry is maintained at room temperature. In 30 another embodiment, the step of slurrying comprises heating the slurry to a temperature in a range from about 20"C to about 40*C. The substantially pure rebaudioside A composition is slurried for about 0.5 hours to about 24 hours.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 10 In still yet another exemplary embodiment, the method of purifying rebaudioside A further comprises the steps of separating the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition from the aqueous organic or organic solvent of the slurry and washing the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition followed by the step of drying the 5 substantially pure rebaudioside A composition. If further purification is desired, the method of purifying rebaudioside A described herein may be repeated or the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition may be purified further using an alternative purification method, such as the column chromatography. 10 It also is contemplated that other NHPSs may be purified using the purification method described herein, requiring only minor experimentation that would be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. The purification of rebaudioside A by crystallization as described above results in the formation of at least four different polymorphs: Form 1: a rebaudioside A hydrate; 15 Form 2: an anhydrous rebaudioside A; Form 3: a rebaudioside A solvate; and Form 4: an amorphous rebaudioside A. The aqueous organic solution and temperature of the purification process influence the resulting polymorphs in the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition. Figures 1-5 are exemplary powder x-ray diffraction (XRPD) scans of polymorphs Form 1 (hydrate), Form 2 (anhydrate), Form 3A (methanol solvate), 20 Form 3B (ethanol solvate), and Form 4 (amorphous), respectively. The material properties of the four rebaudioside A polymorphs are summarized in the following table: Table 1: Rebaudioside A Polymorphs Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form Polymorph Polymorph Polymorph 34Polymorph Rate of dissolution Very low (<0.2 Intermediate (<30 High (> 30 % /5 High (> 35 % /5 in H20 at 25"C %/60 minutes) %/5 minutes) minutes) minutes) Alcohol content < 0.5 % < 1 % 1-3 % Moisture content >5 % < 1 % < 3 % 6.74 % 25 The type of polymorph formed is dependent on the composition of the aqueous organic solution, the temperature of the crystallization step, and the temperature during the WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 11 drying step. Form 1 and Form 3 are formed during the single crystallization step while Form 2 is formed during the drying step after conversion from Form 1 or Form 3. Low temperatures during the crystallization step, in the range of about 20'C to about 50*C, and a low ratio of water to the organic solvent in the aqueous organic solvent 5 results in the formation of Form 3. High temperatures during the crystallization step, in the range of about 50'C to about 80"C, and a high ratio of water to the organic solvent in the aqueous organic solvent results in the formation of the Form 1. Form 1 can be converted to Form 3 by slurrying in an anhydrous solvent at room temperature (2 -16 hours) or at reflux for approximately (0.5-3 hours). Form 3 can be converted to Form 1 by 10 slurrying the polymorph in water at room temperature for approximately 16 hours or at reflux for approximately 2-3 hours. Form 3 can be converted to the Form 2 during the drying process; however, increasing either the drying temperature above 70'C or the drying time of a substantially pure rebaudioside A composition can result in decomposition of the rebaudioside A and increase the remaining rebaudioside B impurity 15 in the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition. Form 2 can be converted to Form 1 with the addition of water. Form 4 may be formed from Form 1, 2, 3, or combinations thereof, using methods well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Non-limiting examples of such methods include melt-processing, ball milling, crystallization, lyophilization, cryo-grinding, and 20 spray-drying. In a particular embodiment, Form 4 can be prepared from a substantially pure rebaudioside A composition obtained by the purification methods described hereinabove by spray-drying a solution of the substantially pure rebaudioside A composition. B. Synthetic High-Potency Sweeteners 25 As used herein, the phrase "synthetic sweetener" refers to any compositions which are not found in nature and characteristically have a sweetness potency greater than sucrose, fructose, or glucose, yet have less calories. Non-limiting examples of synthetic sweeteners suitable for embodiments of this invention include sucralose, potassium acesulfame, aspartame, alitame, saccharin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, cyclamate, 30 neotame, N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1 methyl ester, N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methylbutyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L- WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 12 phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, N-[N-[3-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, salts thereof, and the like. C. Combinations of Natural and/or Synthetic High-Potency Sweeteners The NHPS and synthetic sweeteners may be used individually or in combination 5 with other NHPS and/or synthetic sweeteners. For example, the sweetener composition may comprise a single NHPS or a single synthetic sweetener; a single NHPS in combination with a single synthetic sweetener; one or more NHPSs in combination with a single synthetic sweetener; a single NHPS in combination with one or more synthetic sweeteners; or one or more NHPSs in combination with one or more synthetic sweeteners. 10,. A plurality of natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners may be used as long as the combined effect does not adversely affect the taste of the sweetener composition. For example, particular embodiments comprise combinations of NHPSs, such as steviolglycosides. Non-limiting examples of suitable stevioglycosides which may be combined include rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, 15 rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, dulcoside A, dulcoside B, rubusoside, stevioside, or steviolbioside. According to particularly desirable embodiments of the present invention, the combination of high-potency sweeteners comprises rebaudioside A in combination with rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, stevioside, steviolbioside, dulcoside A, or combinations thereof. 20 Generally, according to a particular embodiment, rebaudioside A is present in the combination of high-potency sweeteners in an amount in the range of about 50 to about 99.5 weight percent of the combination of high-potency sweeteners, more desirably in the range of about 70 to about 90 weight percent, and still more desirably in the range of about 75 to about 85 weight percent. 25 In another particular embodiment, rebaudioside B is present in the combination of high-potency sweeteners in an amount in the range of about 1 to about 8 weight percent of the combination of high-potency sweeteners, more desirably in the range of about 2 to about 5 weight percent, and still more desirably in the range of about 2 to about 3 weight percent. 30 In another particular embodiment, rebaudioside C is present in the combination of high-potency sweeteners in an amount in the range of about 1 to about 10 weight percent of the combination of high-potency sweeteners, more desirably in the range of about 3 to WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 13 about 8 weight percent, and still more desirably in the range of about 4 to about 6 weight percent. In still another particular embodiment, rebaudioside E is present in the combination of high-potency sweeteners in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 4 5 weight percent of the combination of high-potency sweeteners, more desirably in the range of about 0.1 to about 2 weight percent, and still more desirably in the range of about 0.5 to about 1 weight percent. In still another particular embodiment, rebaudioside F is present in the combination of high-potency sweeteners in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 4 weight 10 percent of the combination of high-potency sweeteners, more desirably in the range of about 0.1 to about 2 weight percent, and still more desirably in the range of about 0.5 to about 1 weight percent. In still yet another particular embodiment, dulcoside A is present in the combination of high-potency sweeteners in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 4 15 weight percent of the combination of high-potency sweeteners, more desirably in the range of about 0.1 to about 2 weight percent, and still more desirably in the range of about 0.5 to about 1 weight percent. In yet another particular embodiment, dulcoside B is present in the combination of high-potency sweeteners in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 4 weight percent 20 of the combination of high-potency sweeteners, more desirably in the range of about 0.1 to about 2 weight percent, and still more desirably in the range of about 0.5 to about 1 weight percent. In another particular embodiment, stevioside is present in the combination of high potency sweeteners in an amount in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 weight percent of 25 the combination of high-potency sweeteners, more desirably in the range of about 1 to about 6 weight percent, and still more desirably in the range of about 1 to about 4 weight percent. In still another particular embodiment, steviolbioside is present in the combination of high-potency sweeteners in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 4 weight 30 percent of the combination of high-potency sweeteners, more desirably in the range of about 0.1 to about 2 weight percent, and still more desirably in the range of about 0.5 to about 1 weight percent.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 14 According to a particularly desirable embodiment, the high-potency sweetener composition comprises a combination of rebaudioside A, stevioside, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, and rebaudioside F; wherein rebaudioside A is present in the combination of high-potency sweeteners in an amount in the range of about 75 to about 85 weight 5 percent based on the total weight of the combination of high-potency sweeteners, stevioside is present in an amount in the range of about 1 to about 6 weight percent, rebaudioside B is present in an amount in the range of about 2 to about 5 weight percent, rebaudioside C is present in an amount in the range of about 3 to about 8 weight percent, and rebaudioside F is present in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 2 weight 10 percent. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that the sweetener composition can be customized to obtain a desired calorie content. For example, a low caloric or non-caloric NHPS may be combined with a caloric natural sweetener and/or other caloric additives to produce a sweetener composition with a preferred calorie 15 content. III. Sweet Taste Improving Compositions The sweetener composition also comprises a sweet taste improving composition, non-limiting examples of which include carbohydrates, polyols, amino acids and their corresponding salts, polyamino acids and their corresponding salts, sugar acids and their 20 corresponding salts, nucleotides, organic acids, inorganic acids, organic salts including organic acid salts and organic base salts, inorganic salts, bitter compounds, flavorants and flavoring ingredients, astringent compounds, proteins or protein hydrolysates, surfactants, emulsifiers, flavonoids, alcohols, polymers, other sweet taste improving taste additives imparting such sugar-like characteristics, and combinations thereof. 25 In one embodiment, a single sweet taste improving composition may be used in combination with a single natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener. In another embodiment of the present invention, a single sweet taste improving composition may be used in combination with one or more natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners. In yet another embodiment, one or more sweet taste improving compositions may be used 30 in combination with a single natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener. In a further embodiment, there may be a plurality of sweet taste improving combinations used in combination with one or more natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 15 In a particular embodiment, combinations of at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and at least one sweet taste improving composition suppress, reduce, or eliminate undesirable taste and impart sugar-like characteristics to the sweetener composition. As used herein, the phrase "undesirable taste" includes any taste 5 property which is not imparted by sugars, e.g. glucose, sucrose, fructose, or similar saccharides. Non-limiting examples of undesirable tastes include delayed sweetness onset, lingering sweet aftertaste, metallic taste, bitter taste, cooling sensation taste or menthol-like taste, licorice-like taste, and/or the like. A. Sweet Taste 10 In one embodiment, a sweetener composition exhibits a more sugar-like temporal and/or sugar-like flavor profile than a sweetener composition comprising at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, but without a sweet taste improving composition is provided. As used herein, the phrases "sugar-like characteristic," "sugar like taste," "sugar-like sweet," "sugary," and "sugar-like" are synonymous. Sugar-like 15 characteristics include any characteristic similar to that of sucrose and include, but are not limited to, maximal response, flavor profile, temporal profile, adaptation behavior, mouthfeel, concentration/response function behavior, tastant and flavor/sweet taste interactions, spatial pattern selectivity, and temperature effects. These characteristics are dimensions in which the taste of sucrose is different from the tastes of natural and 20 synthetic high-potency sweeteners. Whether or not a characteristic is more sugar-like is determined by expert sensory panel assessments of sugar and compositions comprising at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, both with and without a sweet taste improving composition. Such assessments quantify similarities of the characteristics of compositions comprising at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, 25 both with and without a sweet taste improving composition, with those comprising sugar. Suitable procedures for determining whether a composition has a more sugar-like taste are well known in the art. In a particular embodiment, a panel of assessors is used to measure the reduction of sweetness linger. Briefly described, a panel of assessors (generally 8 to 12 individuals) is 30 trained to evaluate sweetness perception and measure sweetness at several time points from when the sample is initially taken into the mouth until 3 minutes after it has been expectorated. Using statistical analysis, the results are compared between samples WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 16 containing additives and samples that do not contain additives. A decrease in score for a time point measured after the sample has cleared the mouth indicates there has been a reduction in sweetness perception. The panel of assessors may be trained using procedures well known to those of 5 ordinary skill in the art. In a particular embodiment, the panel of assessors may be trained using the SpectrumTM Descriptive Analysis Method (Meilgaard et al, Sensory Evaluation Techniques, 3 rd edition, Chapter 11). Desirably, the focus of training should be the recognition of and the measure of the basic tastes; specifically, sweet. In order to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of results, each assessor should repeat the measure of the 10 reduction of sweetness linger about three to about five times per sample, taking at least a five minute break between each repetition and/or sample and rinsing well with water to clear the mouth. Generally, the method of measuring sweetness comprises taking a 10mL sample into the mouth, holding the sample in the mouth for 5 seconds and gently swirling the 15 sample in the mouth, rating the sweetness intensity perceived at 5 seconds, expectorating the sample (without swallowing following expectorating the sample), rinsing with one mouthful of water (e.g., vigorously moving water in mouth as if with mouth wash) and expectorating the rinse water, rating the sweetness intensity perceived immediately upon expectorating the rinse water, waiting 45 seconds and, while wating those 45 seconds, 20 identifying the time of maximum perceived sweetness intensity and rating the sweetness intensity at that time (moving the mouth normally and swallowing as needed), rating the sweetness intensity after another 10 seconds, rating the sweetness intensity after another 60 seconds (cumulative 120 seconds after rinse), and rating the sweetness intensity after still another 60 seconds (cumulative 180 seconds after rinse). Between samples take a 5 25 minute break, rinsing well with water to clear the mouth. B. Types of Sweet Taste Improving Compositions As described hereinabove, sweet taste improving compositions include carbohydrates, polyols, amino acids and their corresponding salts, polyamino acids and their corresponding salts, sugar acids and their corresponding salts, nucleotides, organic 30 acids, inorganic acids, organic salts including organic acid salts and organic base salts, inorganic salts, bitter compounds, flavorants and flavoring ingredients, astringent compounds, proteins or protein hydrolysates, surfactants, emulsifiers, flavonoids, alcohols, WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 17 polymers, other sweet taste improving taste additives imparting such sugar-like characteristics, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the term "carbohydrate" generally refers to aldehyde or ketone compounds substituted with multiple hydroxyl groups, of the general formula (CH 2 0)., 5 wherein n is 3-30, as well as their oligomers and polymers. The carbohydrates of the present invention can, in addition, be substituted or deoxygenated at one or more positions. Carbohydrates, as used herein, encompass unmodified carbohydrates, carbohydrate derivatives, substituted carbohydrates, and modified carbohydrates. As used herein, the phrases "carbohydrate derivatives", "substituted carbohydrate", and "modified 10 carbohydrates" are synonymous. Modified carbohydrate means any carbohydrate wherein at least one atom has been added, removed, substituted, or combinations thereof. Thus, carbohydrate derivatives or substituted carbohydrates include substituted and unsubstituted monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. The carbohydrate derivatives or substituted carbohydrates optionally can be deoxygenated at 15 any corresponding C-position, and/or substituted with one or more moieties such as hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, carboxyl, acyl, acyloxy, amino, amido, carboxyl derivatives, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfo, mercapto, imino, sulfonyl, sulfenyl, sulfinyl, sulfamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboxamido, phosphonyl, phosphinyl, phosphoryl, phosphino, thioester, thioether, oximino, hydrazino, carbamyl, 20 phospho, phosphonato, or any other viable functional group provided the carbohydrate derivative or substituted carbohydrate functions to improve the sweet taste of the sweetener composition. Non-limiting examples of carbohydrates in embodiments of this invention include tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, cyclodextrin (e.g., a-cyclodextrin, p 25 cyclodextrin, and y-cyclodextrin), maltodextrin (including resistant maltodextrins such as Fibersol-2TM), dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, palatinose or isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, 30 mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides (isomaltose, isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides (xylotriose, xylobiose and the WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 18 like), gentio-oligoscaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), sorbose, nigero-oligosaccharides, palatinose oligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, malto-oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and the like), 5 lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, isomerized liquid sugars such as high fructose corn/starch syrup (e.g., HFCS55, HFCS42, HFCS90), coupling sugars, soybean oligosaccharides, and glucose syrup. Additionally, the carbohydrates as used herein may be in either the D- or L- configuration. The term "polyol", as used herein, refers to a molecule that contains more than one 10 hydroxyl group. A polyol may be a diol, triol, or a tetraol which contain 2, 3, and 4 hydroxyl groups, respectively. A polyol also may contain more than four hydroxyl groups, such as a pentaol, hexaol, heptaol, or the like, which contain, 5, 6, or 7 hydroxyl groups, respectively. Additionally, a polyol also may be a sugar alcohol, polyhydric alcohol, or polyalcohol which is a reduced form of carbohydrate, wherein the carbonyl 15 group (aldehyde or ketone, reducing sugar) has been reduced to a primary or secondary hydroxyl group. Non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving polyol additives in embodiments of this invention include erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, xylitol, inositol, isomalt, propylene glycol, glycerol (glycerine), threitol, galactitol, palatinose, reduced 20 isomalto-oligosaccharides, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, reduced gentio oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, reduced glucose syrup, and sugar alcohols or any other carbohydrates capable of being reduced which do not adversely affect the taste of the sweetener composition. Suitable sweet taste improving amino acid additives for use in embodiments of this 25 invention include, but are not limited to, aspartic acid, arginine, glycine, glutamic acid, proline, threonine, theanine, cysteine, cystine, alanine, valine, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, asparagine, seine, lysine, histidine, ornithine, methionine, carnitine, aminobutyric acid (alpha-, beta-, or gamma- isomers), glutamine, hydroxyproline, taurine, norvaline, sarcosine, and their salt forms such as sodium or potassium salts or acid salts. The sweet 30 taste improving amino acid additives also may be in the D- or L- configuration and in the mono-, di-, or tri- form of the same or different amino acids. Additionally, the amino acids may be a-, P-, y-, 8-, and s- isomers if appropriate. Combinations of the foregoing WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 19 amino acids and their corresponding salts (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium salts or other alkali or alkaline earth metal salts thereof, or acid salts) also are suitable sweet taste improving additives in embodiments of this invention. The amino acids may be natural or synthetic. The amino acids also may be modified. Modified amino acids 5 refers to any amino acid wherein at least one atom has been added, removed, substituted, or combinations thereof (e.g., N-alkyl amino acid, N-acyl amino acid, or N-methyl amino acid). Non-limiting examples of modified amino acids include amino acid derivatives such as trimethyl glycine, N-methyl-glycine, and N-methyl-alanine. As used herein, amino acids encompass both modified and unmodified amino acids. As used herein, 10 modified amino acid also may encompass peptides and polypeptides (e.g., dipeptides, tripeptides, tetrapeptides, and pentapeptides) such as glutathione and L-alanyl-L glutamine. Suitable sweet taste improving polyamino acid additives include poly-L-aspartic acid, poly-L-lysine (e.g., poly-L-a-lysine or poly-L-&-lysine), poly-L-ornithine (e.g., poly 15 L-a-ornithine or poly-L-s-ornithine), poly-L-arginine, other polymeric forms of amino acids, and salt forms thereof (e.g., magnesium, calcium, potassium, or sodium salts such as L-glutamic acid mono sodium salt). The sweet taste improving polyamino acid additives also may be in the D- or L- configuration. Additionally, the polyamino acids may be a-, p-, y-, 8-, and a- isomers if appropriate. Combinations of the foregoing polyamino acids 20 and their corresponding salts (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium salts or other alkali or alkaline earth metal salts thereof or acid salts) also are suitable sweet taste improving additives in embodiments of this invention. The polyamino acids described herein also may comprise co-polymers of different amino acids. The polyamino acids may be natural or synthetic. The polyamino acids also may be modified, such that at least 25 one atom has been added, removed, substituted, or combinations thereof (e.g., N-alkyl polyamino acid or N-acyl polyamino acid). As used herein, polyamino acids encompass both modified and unmodified polyamino acids. In accordance with particular embodiments, modified polyamino acids include, but are not limited to polyamino acids of various molecular weights (MW), such as poly-L-a-lysine with a MW of 1,500, MW of 30 6,000, MW of 25,200, MW of 63,000, MW of 83,000, or MW of 300,000. Suitable sweet taste improving sugar acid additives for use in embodiments of this invention include, but are not limited to, aldonic, uronic, aldaric, alginic, gluconic, WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 20 glucuronic, glucaric, galactaric, galacturonic, and their salts (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium salts or other physiologically acceptable salts), and combinations thereof. Suitable sweet taste improving nucleotide additives for use in embodiments of this 5 invention include, but are not limited to, inosine monophosphate ("IMP"), guanosine monophosphate ("GMP"), adenosine monophosphate ("AMP"), cytosine monophosphate (CMP), uracil monophosphate (UMP), inosine diphosphate, guanosine diphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, cytosine diphosphate, uracil diphosphate, inosine triphosphate, guanosine triphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, cytosine triphosphate, uracil triphosphate, 10 and their alkali or alkaline earth metal salts, and combinations thereof. The nucleotides described herein also may comprise nucleotide-related additives, such as nucleosides or nucleic acid bases (e.g., guanine, cytosine, adenine, thymine, uracil). Suitable sweet taste improving organic acid additives include any compound which comprises a -COOH moiety. Suitable sweet taste improving organic acid additives for 15 use in embodiments of this invention include, but are not limited to, C2-C30 carboxylic acids, substituted hydroxyl C1-C30 carboxylic acids, benzoic acid, substituted benzoic acids (e.g. 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid), substituted cinnamic acids, hydroxyacids, substituted hydroxybenzoic acids, substituted cyclohexyl carboxylic acids, tannic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, glucoheptonic acids, adipic acid, 20 hydroxycitric acid, malic acid, fruitaric acid (a blend of malic, fumaric, and tartaric acids), fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, chlorogenic acid, salicylic acid, creatine, glucosamine hydrochloride, glucono delta lactone, caffeic acid, bile acids, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, alginic acid, erythorbic acid, polyglutamic acid, and their alkali or alkaline earth metal salt derivatives thereof. In addition, the sweet taste improving organic acid 25 additives also may be in either the D- or L- configuration. Suitable sweet taste improving organic acid salt additives include, but are not limited to, sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium salts of all organic acids, such as salts of citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid (e.g., sodium lactate), alginic acid (e.g., sodium alginate), ascorbic acid (e.g., sodium ascorbate), benzoic acid 30 (e.g., sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate), and adipic acid. The examples of the sweet taste improving organic acid salt additives described optionally may be substituted with one or more of the following moiety selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 21 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halo, haloalkyl, carboxyl, acyl, acyloxy, amino, amido, carboxyl derivatives, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfo, thiol, imine, sulfonyl, sulfenyl, sulfinyl, sulfamyl, carboxalkoxy, carboxamido, phosphonyl, phosphinyl, phosphoryl, phosphino, thioester, thioether, anhydride, oximino, 5 hydrazino, carbamyl, phospho, phosphonato, and any other viable functional group, provided the substituted organic acid salt additive functions to improve the sweet taste of the sweetener composition. Suitable sweet taste improving inorganic acid additives for use in embodiments of this invention include, but are not limited to, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, 10 polyphosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, carbonic acid, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, and their corresponding alkali or alkaline earth metal salts thereof (e.g., inositol hexaphosphate Mg/Ca). Suitable sweet taste improving bitter compound additives for use in embodiments of this invention include, but are not limited to, caffeine, quinine, urea, bitter orange oil, 15 naringin, quassia, and salts thereof. Suitable sweet taste improving flavorant and flavoring ingredient additives for use in embodiments of this invention include, but are not limited to, vanillin, vanilla extract, mango extract, cinnamon, citrus, coconut, ginger, viridiflorol, almond, menthol (including menthol without mint), grape skin extract, and grape seed extract. "Flavorant" and 20 "flavoring ingredient" are synonymous, and include natural or synthetic substances or combinations thereof. Flavorants also include any other substance which imparts flavor, and may include natural or non-natural (synthetic) substances which are safe for human or animals when used in a generally accepted range. Non-limiting examples of proprietary flavorants include D6hlerTM Natural Flavoring Sweetness Enhancer K14323 (D6hler T M , 25 Darmstadt, Germany), Symrise TM Natural Flavor Mask for Sweeteners 161453 and 164126 (Symrise, HolzmindenTM, Germany), Natural Advantage T M Bitterness Blockers 1, 2, 9 and 10 (Natural Advantage T M , Freehold, New Jersey, U.S.A.), and SucramaskTM (Creative Research Management, Stockton, California, U.S.A.). Suitable sweet taste improving polymer additives for use in embodiments of this 30 invention include, but are not limited to, chitosan, pectin, pectic, pectinic, polyuronic, polygalacturonic acid, starch, food hydrocolloid or crude extracts thereof (e.g., gum acacia senegal (FibergumTM), gum acacia seyal, carageenan), poly-L-lysine (e.g., poly-L-a-lysine WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 22 or poly-L-8-lysine), poly-L-ornithine (e.g., poly-L-a-omithine or poly-L-s-ornithine), polyarginine, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether), polyaspartic acid, polyglutamic acid, polyethyleneimine, alginic acid, sodium alginate, propylene glycol alginate, sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) and its salts, and 5 sodium polyethyleneglycolalginate and other cationic and anionic polymers. Suitable sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additives for use in embodiments of this invention include, but are not limited to, bovine serum albumin (BSA), whey protein (including fractions or concentrates thereof such as 90% instant whey protein isolate, 34% whey protein, 50% hydrolyzed whey protein, and 80% whey 10 protein concentrate), soluble rice protein, soy protein, protein isolates, protein hydrolysates, reaction products of protein hydrolysates, glycoproteins, and/or proteoglycans containing amino acids (e.g., glycine, alanine, shrine, threonine, asparagine, glutamine, arginine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, norvaline, methionine, proline, tyrosine, hydroxyproline, and the like), collagen (e.g., gelatin), partially hydrolyzed collagen (e.g., 15 hydrolyzed fish collagen), and collagen hydrolysates (e.g., porcine collagen hydrolysate). Suitable sweet taste improving surfactant additives for use in embodiments of this invention include, but are not limited to, polysorbates (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80), polysorbate 20, polysorbate 60), sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate or dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium, sodium 20 dodecyl sulfate, cetylpyridinium chloride (hexadecylpyridinium chloride), hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, sodium cholate, carbamoyl, choline chloride, sodium glycocholate, sodium taurodeoxycholate, lauric arginate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, sodium taurocholate, lecithins, sucrose oleate esters, sucrose stearate esters, sucrose palmitate esters, sucrose laurate esters, and other emulsifiers, and the like. 25 Suitable sweet taste improving flavonoid additives for use in embodiments of this invention generally are classified as flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, isoflavones, or anthocyanidins. Non-limiting examples of flavonoid additives include catechins (e.g., green tea extracts such as PolyphenonTM 60, PolyphenonTM 30, and Polyphenon TM 25 (Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd., Japan), polyphenols, rutins (e.g., enzyme 30 modified rutin SanmelinTM AO (San-Ei Gen F.F.I., Inc., Osaka, Japan)), neohesperidin, naringin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, and the like.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 23 Suitable sweet taste improving alcohol additives for use in embodiments of this invention include, but are not limited to, ethanol. Suitable sweet taste improving astringent compound additives include, but are not limited to, tannic acid, europium chloride (EuCl 3 ), gadolinium chloride (GdCl 3 ), terbium 5 chloride (TbCl 3 ), alum, tannic acid, and polyphenols (e.g., tea polyphenols). Suitable sweet taste improving vitamins include nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) and pyridoxal hydrochloride (Vitamin B6). The sweet taste improving compositions also may comprise natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners. For example, wherein the sweetener composition 10 comprises at least one NHPS, the at least one sweet taste improving composition may comprise a synthetic high-potency sweetener, non-limiting examples of which include sucralose, potassium acesulfame, aspartame, alitame, saccharin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, cyclamate, neotame, N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propyl]-L a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)- 3 15 methylbutyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, N-[N-[3-(3-methoxy-4 hydroxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, salts thereof, and the like. The sweet taste improving compositions also may be in salt form which may be obtained using standard procedures well known in the art. The term "salt" also refers to 20 complexes that retain the desired chemical activity of the sweet taste improving compositions of the present invention and are safe for human or animal consumption in a generally acceptable range. Alkali metal (for example, sodium or potassium) or alkaline earth metal (for example, calcium or magnesium) salts also can be made. Salts also may include combinations of alkali and alkaline earth metals. Non-limiting examples of such 25 salts are (a) acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids and salts formed with organic acids; (b) base addition salts formed with metal cations such as calcium, bismuth, barium, magnesium, aluminum, copper, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, sodium, potassium, and the like, or with a cation formed from ammonia, N,N-dibenzylethylenediamine, D-glucosamine, tetraethylammonium, or ethylenediamine; or (c) combinations of (a) and (b). Thus, any 30 salt forms which may be derived from the sweet taste improving compositions may be used with the embodiments of the present invention as long as the salts of the sweet taste improving additives do not adversely affect the taste of the sweetener compositions WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 24 comprising the at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener. The salt forms of the additives can be added to the natural and/or synthetic sweetener composition in the same amounts as their acid or base forms. In particular embodiments, suitable sweet taste improving inorganic salts useful as 5 sweet taste improving additives include, but are not limited to, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate, potassium citrate, europium chloride (EuCl 3 ), gadolinium chloride (GdCl 3 ), terbium chloride (TbCl 3 ), magnesium sulfate, alum, magnesium chloride, mono-, di-, tri-basic sodium or potassium salts of phosphoric acid (e.g., inorganic phosphates), salts of hydrochloric acid (e.g., inorganic chlorides), sodium carbonate, 10 sodium bisulfate, and sodium bicarbonate. Furthermore, in particular embodiments, suitable organic salts useful as sweet taste improving additives include, but are not limited to, choline chloride, alginic acid sodium salt (sodium alginate), glucoheptonic acid sodium salt, gluconic acid sodium salt (sodium gluconate), gluconic acid potassium salt (potassium gluconate), guanidine HCl, glucosamine HCl, amiloride HCl, monosodium 15 glutamate (MSG), adenosine monophosphate salt, magnesium gluconate, potassium tartrate (monohydrate), and sodium tartrate (dihydrate). C. Combinations of Sweet Taste Improving Compositions It has been discovered that combinations of at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and at least one sweet taste improving composition improve the 20 temporal profile and/or flavor profile, including the osmotic taste, to be more sugar-like. One of ordinary skill in the art, with the teachings of the present invention, may arrive at all the possible combinations of natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners and sweet taste improving compositions. For example, non-limiting combinations of the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and sweet taste improving compositions 25 include: 1. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and at least one carbohydrate; 2. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and at least one polyol; 30 3. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and at least one amino acid; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 25 4. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 5. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least 5 one other sweet taste improving additive; 6. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one polyol; 7. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one amino acid; 10 8. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 9. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one polyol, and at least one amino acid; 10. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least 15 one polyol, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 11. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one amino acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 12. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyol, and at least one amino acid; 20 13. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyol, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 14. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one other sweet taste 25 improving additive; and 15. at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive. These fifteen major combinations further may be broken down into further 30 combinations in order to improve the overall taste of the natural and/or synthetic high potency sweetener or the sweetened compositions comprising the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 26 As explained above, the sweet taste improving composition is selected from the group consisting of polyols, carbohydrates, amino acids, other sweet taste improving additives, and combinations thereof. The other sweet taste improving additives useful in embodiments of this invention are described hereinabove. In one embodiment, a single 5 sweet taste improving composition may be used with a single natural or synthetic high potency sweetener and a base composition. In another embodiment of the present invention, a single sweet taste improving composition may be used with one or more natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners and a base composition. In yet another embodiment, one or more sweet taste improving compositions may be used with a single 10 natural or synthetic high-potency sweetener and a base composition. In a further embodiment, there may be a plurality of sweet taste improving compositions used in combination with one or more natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners and a base composition. Thus, non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving composition combinations for embodiments of this invention include: 15 i. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; ii. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; iii. at least one polyol and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 20 iv. at least one polyol and at least one carbohydrate; v. at least one carbohydrate and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; vi. at least one polyol and at least one amino acid; vii. at least one carbohydrate and at least one amino acid; 25 viii. at least one amino acid and at least one other sweet taste improving additive. Other sweet taste improving composition combinations in accordance with embodiments of this invention include: 30 1. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one amino acid; 2. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one polyamino acid; 3. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one sugar acid; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 27 4. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one nucleotide; 5. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one organic acid; 6. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one inorganic acid; 7. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one bitter compound; 5 8. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one flavorant or flavoring ingredient; 9. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one polymer; 10. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate or protein or protein hydrolysate with low molecular weight amino 10 acid; 11. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one surfactant; 12. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one flavonoid; 13. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one alcohol; 14. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one emulsifier; 15 15. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one inorganic salt, 16. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one organic salt, 17. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one amino acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 18. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one polyamino acid, 20 and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 19. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one sugar acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 20. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one nucleotide, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 25 21. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one organic acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 22. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one inorganic acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 23. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one bitter compound, 30 and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 24. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one flavorant or flavoring ingredient, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 28 25. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one polymer, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 26. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 5 27. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one surfactant, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 28. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one flavonoid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 29. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one alcohol, and at 10 least one other sweet taste improving additive; 30. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one polyamino acid; 31. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one sugar acid; 15 32. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, and at least one nucleotide; 33. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, and at least one organic acid; 20 34. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, and at least one inorganic acid; 35. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one 25 organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one bitter compound; 36. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, and at least one polymer; 30 37. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 29 organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 38. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one 5 organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one surfactant; 39. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one 10 organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, at least one surfactant, and at least one flavonoid; 40. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one 15 organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, at least one surfactant, at least one flavonoid, and at least one alcohol; 41. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one sugar acid; 20 42. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one nucleotide; 43. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one organic acid; 44. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at 25 least one inorganic acid; 45. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one bitter compound; 46. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one polymer; 30 47. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 30 48. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one surfactant; 49. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one flavonoid; 5 50. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one alcohol; 51. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one sugar acid; 52. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and 10 at least one nucleotide; 53. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one organic acid; 54. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one inorganic acid; 15 55. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one bitter compound; 56. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one polymer; 57. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and 20 at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 58. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one surfactant; 59. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one flavonoid; 25 60. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one alcohol; 61. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one nucleotide; 62. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at 30 least one organic acid; 63. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one inorganic acid; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 31, 64. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one bitter compound; 65. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one polymer; 5 66. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 67. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one surfactant; 68. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at 10 least one flavonoid; 69. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one alcohol; 70. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one organic acid; 15 71. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one inorganic acid; 72. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one bitter compound; 73. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at 20 least one polymer; 74. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 75. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one surfactant; 25 76. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one flavonoid; 77. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one alcohol; 78. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at 30 least one inorganic acid; 79. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one bitter compound; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 32 80. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one polymer; 81. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 5 82. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one surfactant; 83. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one flavonoid; 84. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at 10 least one alcohol; 85. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one bitter compound; 86. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one polymer; 15 87. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 88. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one surfactant; 89. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at 20 least one flavonoid; 90. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one alcohol; 91. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and at least one polymer; 25 92. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 93. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and at least one surfactant; 94. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and 30 at least one flavonoid; 95. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and at least one alcohol; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 33 96. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polymer, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 97. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polymer, and at least one surfactant; 5 98. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polymer, and at least one flavonoid; 99. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one polymer, and at least one alcohol; 100. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one protein or protein 10 hydrolysate, and at least one surfactant; 101. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one flavonoid; 102. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one surfactant, and at least one flavonoid; 15 103. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one surfactant, and at least one alcohol; and 104. at least one polyol, at least one carbohydrate, at least one flavonoid, and at least one alcohol. 20 Other sweet taste improving composition combinations in accordance with embodiments of this invention include: 1. at least one polyol and at least one amino acid; 2. at least one polyol and at least one polyamino acid; 3. at least one polyol and at least one sugar acid; 25 4. at least one polyol and at least one nucleotide; 5. at least one polyol and at least one organic acid; 6. at least one polyol and at least one inorganic acid; 7. at least one polyol and at least one bitter compound; 8. at least one polyol and at least one flavorant or flavoring ingredient; 30 9. at least one polyol and at least one polymer; 10. at least one polyol and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 11. at least one polyol and at least one surfactant; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 34 12. at least one polyol and at least one flavonoid; 13. at least one polyol and at least one alcohol; 14. at least one polyol and at least one emulsifier; 15. at least one polyol and at least one inorganic salt; 5 16. at least one polyol and at least one organic salt; 17. at least one polyol and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate or mixture of low molecular weight amino acids; 18. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 10 19. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 20. at least one polyol, at least one sugar acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 21. at least one polyol, at least one nucleotide, and at least one other sweet taste 15 improving additive; 22. at least one polyol, at least one organic acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 23. at least one polyol, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 20 24. at least one polyol, at least one bitter compound, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 25. at least one polyol, at least one flavorant or flavoring ingredient, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 26. at least one polyol, at least one polymer, and at least one other sweet taste 25 improving additive; 27. at least one polyol, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 28. at least one polyol, at least one surfactant, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 30 29. at least one polyol, at least one flavonoid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 35 30. at least one polyol, at least one alcohol, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 31. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one polyamino acid; 32. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, and at 5 least one sugar acid; 33. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, and at least one nucleotide; 34. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, and at least one organic acid; 10 35. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, and at least one inorganic acid; 36. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one 15 inorganic acid, and at least one bitter compound; 37. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, and at least one polymer; 38. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least 20 one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 39. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one 25 inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one surfactant; 40. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, at least one 30 protein or protein hydrolysate, at least one surfactant, and at least one flavonoid; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 36 41. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, at least one surfactant, at least one flavonoid, 5 and at least one alcohol; 42. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one sugar acid; 43. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one nucleotide; 44. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one organic acid; 45. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one inorganic acid; 10 46. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one bitter compound; 47. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one polymer; 48. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 49. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one surfactant; 15 50. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one flavonoid; 51. at least one polyol, at least one amino acid, and at least one alcohol; 52. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one sugar acid; 53. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one nucleotide; 54. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one organic acid; 20 55. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one organic salt; 56. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one inorganic acid; 57. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one inorganic salt; 58. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one bitter compound; 25 59. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one polymer; 60. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 61. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one surfactant; 62. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one flavonoid; 30 63. at least one polyol, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one alcohol; 64. at least one polyol, at least one sugar acid, and at least one nucleotide; 65. at least one polyol, at least one sugar acid, and at least one organic acid; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 37 66. at least one polyol, at least one sugar acid, and at least one inorganic acid; 67. at least one polyol, at least one sugar acid, and at least one bitter compound; 68. at least one polyol, at least one sugar acid, and at least one polymer; 69. at least one polyol, at least one sugar acid, and at least one protein or protein 5 hydrolysate; 70. at least one polyol, at least one sugar acid, and at least one surfactant; 71. at least one polyol, at least one sugar acid, and at least one flavonoid; 72. at least one polyol, at least one sugar acid, and at least one alcohol; 73. at least one polyol, at least one nucleotide, and at least one organic acid; 10 74. at least one polyol, at least one nucleotide, and at least one inorganic acid; 75. at least one polyol, at least one nucleotide, and at least one bitter compound; 76. at least one polyol, at least one nucleotide, and at least one polymer; 77. at least one polyol, at least one nucleotide, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 15 78. at least one polyol, at least one nucleotide, and at least one surfactant; 79. at least one polyol, at least one nucleotide, and at least one flavonoid; 80. at least one polyol, at least one nucleotide, and at least one alcohol; 81. at least one polyol, at least one organic acid, and at least one inorganic acid; 82. at least one polyol, at least one organic acid, and at least one bitter compound; 20 83. at least one polyol, at least one organic acid, and at least one polymer; 84. at least one polyol, at least one organic acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 85. at least one polyol, at least one organic acid, and at least one surfactant; 86. at least one polyol, at least one organic acid, and at least one flavonoid; 25 87. at least one polyol, at least one organic acid, and at least one alcohol; 88. at least one polyol, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one bitter compound; 89. at least one polyol, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one polymer; 90. at least one polyol, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one protein or 30 protein hydrolys ate; 91. at least one polyol, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one surfactant; 92. at least one polyol, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one flavonoid; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 38 93. at least one polyol, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one alcohol; 94. at least one polyol, at least one bitter compound, and at least one polymer; 95. at least one polyol, at least one bitter compound, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 5 96. at least one polyol, at least one bitter compound, and at least one surfactant; 97. at least one polyol, at least one bitter compound, and at least one flavonoid; 98. at least one polyol, at least one bitter compound, and at least one alcohol; 99. at least one polyol, at least one polymer, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 10 100. at least one polyol, at least one polymer, and at least one surfactant; 101. at least one polyol, at least one polymer, and at least one flavonoid; 102. at least one polyol, at least one polymer, and at least one alcohol; 103. at least one polyol, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one surfactant; 15 104. at least one polyol, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one flavonoid; 105. at least one polyol, at least one surfactant, and at least one flavonoid; 106. at least one polyol, at least one surfactant, and at least one alcohol; 107. at least one polyol, at least one flavonoid, and at least one alcohol; 20 108. at least one sweet taste improving additive and erythritol; 109. at least one sweet taste improving additive and maltitol; 110. at least one sweet taste improving additive and mannitol; 111. at least one sweet taste improving additive and sorbitol; 112. at least one sweet taste improving additive and lactitol; 25 113. at least one sweet taste improving additive and xylitol; 114. at least one sweet taste improving additive and isomalt; 115. at least one sweet taste improving additive and propylene glycol; 116. at least one sweet taste improving additive and glycerol; 117. at least one sweet taste improving additive and palatinose; 30 118. at least one sweet taste improving additive and reduced isomalto oligosaccharides; 119. at least one sweet taste improving additive and reduced xylo-oligosaccharides; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 39 120. at least one sweet taste improving additive and reduced gentio oligosaccharides; 121. at least one sweet taste improving additive and reduced maltose syrup; 122. at least one sweet taste improving additive and reduced glucose syrup; 5 123. at least one sweet taste improving additive, erythritol, and at least one other polyol; 124. at least one sweet taste improving additive, maltitol, and at least one other polyol; 125. at least one sweet taste improving additive, mannitol, and at least one other 10 polyol; 126. at least one sweet taste improving additive, sorbitol, and at least one other polyol; 127. at least one sweet taste improving additive, lactitol, and at least one other polyol; 15 128. at least one sweet taste improving additive, xylitol, and at least one other polyol; 129. at least one sweet taste improving additive, isomalt, and at least one other polyol; 130. at least one sweet taste improving additive, propylene glycol, and at least one 20 other polyol; 131. at least one sweet taste improving additive, glycerol, and at least one other polyol; 132. at least one sweet taste improving additive, palatinose, and at least one other polyol; 25 133. at least one sweet taste improving additive, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, and at least one other polyol; 134. at least one sweet taste improving additive, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, and at least one other polyol; 135. at least one sweet taste improving additive, reduced gentio-oligosaccharides, 30 and at least one other polyol; 136. at least one sweet taste improving additive, reduced maltose syrup, and at least one other polyol; and WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 40 137. at least one sweet taste improving additive, reduced glucose syrup, and at least one other polyol. Other sweet taste improving composition combinations in accordance with embodiments 5 of this invention include: 1. at least one polyol and tagatose; 2. at least one polyol and trehalose; 3. at least one polyol and galactose; 4. at least one polyol and rhamnose; 10 5. at least one polyol and dextrin; 6. at least one polyol and cyclodextrin; 7. at least one polyol and a-cyclodextrin, p-cyclodextrin, or 'y-cyclodextrin; 8. at least one polyol and maltodextrin; 9. at least one polyol and dextran; 15 10. at least one polyol and sucrose; 11. at least one polyol and glucose; 12. at least one polyol and fructose; 13. at least one polyol and threose; 14. at least one polyol and arabinose; 20 15. at least one polyol and xylose; 16. at least one polyol and lyxose; 17. at least one polyol and allose; 18. at least one polyol and altrose; 19. at least one polyol and mannose; 25 20. at least one polyol and idose; 21. at least one polyol and talose; 22. at least one polyol and lactose; 23. at least one polyol and maltose; 24. at least one polyol and invert sugar; 30 25. at least one polyol and trehalose; 26. at least one polyol and isotrehalose; 27. at least one polyol and neotrehalose; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 41 28. at least one polyol and palatinose; 29. at least one polyol and galactose; 30. at least one polyol and beet oligosaccharides; 31. at least one polyol and isomalto-oligosaccharides; 5 32. at least one polyol and isomaltose; 33. at least one polyol and isomaltotriose; 34. at least one polyol and panose; 35. at least one polyol and xylo-oligosaccharides; 36. at least one polyol and xylotriose; 10 37. at least one polyol and xylobiose; 38. at least one polyol and gentio-oligoscaccharides; 39. at least one polyol and gentiobiose; 40. at least one polyol and gentiotriose; 41. at least one polyol and gentiotetraose; 15 42. at least one polyol and sorbose; 43. at least one polyol and nigero-oligosaccharides; 44. at least one polyol and palatinose oligosaccharides; 45. at least one polyol and fucose; 46. at least one polyol and fructooligosaccharides; 20 47. at least one polyol and kestose; 48. at least one polyol and nystose; 49. at least one polyol and maltotetraol; 50. at least one polyol and maltotriol; 51. at least one polyol and malto-oligosaccharides; 25 52. at least one polyol and maltotriose; 53. at least one polyol and maltotetraose; 54. at least one polyol and maltopentaose; 55. at least one polyol and maltohexaose; 56. at least one polyol and maltoheptaose; 30 57. at least one polyol and lactulose; 58. at least one polyol and melibiose; 59. at least one polyol and raffinose; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 42 60. at least one polyol and rhamnose; 61. at least one polyol and ribose; 62. at least one polyol and isomerized liquid sugars; 63. at least one polyol and high fructose corn syrup (e.g. HFCS55 and HFCS42) or 5 starch syrup; 64. at least one polyol and coupling sugars; 65. at least one polyol and soybean oligosaccharides; 66. at least one polyol and glucose syrup; 67. at least one polyol, tagatose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 10 68. at least one polyol, trehalose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 69. at least one polyol, galactose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 70. at least one polyol, rhamnose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 71. at least one polyol, dextrin, and at least one other carbohydrate; 72. at least one polyol, cyclodextrin, and at least one other carbohydrate; 15 73. at least one polyol, -cyclodextrin, and at least one other carbohydrate; 74. at least one polyol, maltodextrin, and at least one other carbohydrate; 75. at least one polyol, dextran, and at least one other carbohydrate; 76. at least one polyol, sucrose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 77. at least one polyol, glucose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 20 78. at least one polyol, fructose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 79. at least one polyol, threose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 80. at least one polyol, arabinose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 81. at least one polyol, xylose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 82. at least one polyol, lyxose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 25 83. at least one polyol, allose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 84. at least one polyol, altrose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 85. at least one polyol, mannose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 86. at least one polyol, idose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 87. at least one polyol, talose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 30 88. at least one polyol, lactose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 89. at least one polyol, maltose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 90. at least one polyol, invert sugar, and at least one other carbohydrate; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 43 91. at least one polyol, trehalose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 92. at least one polyol, isotrehalose, and atleast one other carbohydrate; 93. at least one polyol, neotrehalose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 94. at least one polyol, palatinose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 5 95. at least one polyol, galactose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 96. at least one polyol, beet oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 97. at least one polyol, isomalto-oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 98. at least one polyol, isomaltose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 10 99. at least one polyol, isomaltotriose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 100. at least one polyol, panose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 101. at least one polyol, xylo-oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 102. at least one polyol, xylotriose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 103. at least one polyol, xylobiose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 15 104. at least one polyol, gentio-oligoscaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 105. at least one polyol, gentiobiose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 106. at least one polyol, gentiotriose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 107. at least one polyol, gentiotetraose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 20 108. at least one polyol, sorbose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 109. at least one polyol, nigero-oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 110. at least one polyol, palatinose oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 25 111. at least one polyol, fucose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 112. at least one polyol, fructooligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 113. at least one polyol, kestose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 114. at least one polyol, nystose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 115. at least one polyol, maltotetraol, and at least one other carbohydrate; 30 116. at least one polyol, maltotriol, and at least one other carbohydrate; 117. at least one polyol, malto-oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 118. at least one polyol, maltotriose, and at least one other carbohydrate; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 44 119. at least one polyol, maltotetraose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 120. at least one polyol, maltopentaose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 121. at least one polyol, maltohexaose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 122. at least one polyol, maltoheptaose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 5 123. at least one polyol, lactulose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 124. at least one polyol, melibiose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 125. at least one polyol, raffinose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 126. at least one polyol, rhamnose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 127. at least one polyol, ribose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 10 128. at least one polyol, isomerized liquid sugars, and at least one other carbohydrate; 129. at least one polyol, high fructose corn syrup (e.g. HFCS55 and HFCS42) or starch syrup, and at least one other carbohydrate; 130. at least one polyol, coupling sugars, and at least one other carbohydrate; 15 131. at least one polyol, soybean oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 132. at least one polyol, glucose syrup, and at least one other carbohydrate; 133. at least one carbohydrate and erythritol; 134. at least one carbohydrate and maltitol; 20 135. at least one carbohydrate and mannitol; 136. at least one carbohydrate and sorbitol; 137. at least one carbohydrate and lactitol; 138. at least one carbohydrate and xylitol; 139. at least one carbohydrate and isomalt; 25 140. at least one carbohydrate and propylene glycol; 141. at least one carbohydrate and glycerol; 142. at least one carbohydrate and palatinose; 143. at least one carbohydrate and reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides; 144. at least one carbohydrate and reduced xylo-oligosaccharides; 30 145. at least one carbohydrate and reduced gentio-oligosaccharides; 146. at least one carbohydrate and reduced maltose syrup; 147. at least one carbohydrate and reduced glucose syrup; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 45 148. at least one carbohydrate, erythritol, and at least one other polyol; 149. at least one carbohydrate, maltitol, and at least one other polyol; 150. at least one carbohydrate, mannitol, and at least one other polyol; 151. at least one carbohydrate, sorbitol, and at least one other polyol; 5 152. at least one carbohydrate, lactitol, and at least one other polyol; 153. at least one carbohydrate, xylitol, and at least one other polyol; 154. at least one carbohydrate, isomalt, and at least one other polyol; 155. at least one carbohydrate, propylene glycol, and at least one other polyol; 156. at least one carbohydrate, glycerol, and at least one other polyol; 10 157. at least one carbohydrate, palatinose, and at least one other polyol; 158. at least one carbohydrate, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, and at least one other polyol; 159. at least one carbohydrate, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, and at least one other polyol; 15 160. at least one carbohydrate, reduced gentio-oligosaccharides, and at least one other polyol; 161. at least one carbohydrate, reduced maltose syrup, and at least one other polyol; and 162. at least one carbohydrate, reduced glucose syrup, and at least one other polyol. 20 Other sweet taste improving composition combinations in accordance with embodiments of this invention include: 1. at least one carbohydrate and at least one amino acid; 2. at least one carbohydrate and at least one polyamino acid; 25 3. at least one carbohydrate and at least one sugar acid; 4. at least one carbohydrate and at least one nucleotide; 5. at least one carbohydrate and at least one organic acid; 6. at least one carbohydrate and at least one inorganic acid; 7. at least one carbohydrate and at least one bitter compound; 30 8. at least one carbohydrate and at least one flavorant or flavoring ingredient; 9. at least one carbohydrate and at least one polymer; 10. at least one carbohydrate and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 46 11. at least one carbohydrate and at least one surfactant; 12. at least one carbohydrate and at least one flavonoid; 13. at least one carbohydrate and at least one alcohol; 14. at least one carbohydrate and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate or 5 mixture of low molecular weight amino acids; 15. at least one carbohydrate and at least one emulsifier; 16. at least one carbohydrate and at least one inorganic salt; 17. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 10 18. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 19. at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 20. at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one other sweet 15 taste improving additive; 21. at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 22. at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 20 23. at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 24. at least one carbohydrate, at least one flavorant or flavoring ingredient, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 25. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polymer, and at least one other sweet 25 taste improving additive; 26. at least one carbohydrate, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 27. at least one carbohydrate, at least one surfactant, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 30 28. at least one carbohydrate, at least one flavonoid, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 47 29. at least one carbohydrate, at least one alcohol, and at least one other sweet taste improving additive; 30. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one polyamino acid; 5 31. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one sugar acid; 32. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, and at least one nucleotide; 33. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, 10 at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, and at least one organic acid; 34. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, and at least one inorganic acid; 35. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, 15 at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one bitter compound; 36. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, and at least one polymer; 20 37. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 38. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, 25 at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one surfactant; 39. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least 30 one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, at least one surfactant, and at least one flavonoid; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 48 40. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, at least one polyamino acid, at least one sugar acid, at least one nucleotide, at least one organic acid, at least one inorganic acid, at least one bitter compound, at least one polymer, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, at least one surfactant, at least one 5 flavonoid, and at least one alcohol; 41. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one sugar acid; 42. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one nucleotide; 43. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one organic acid; 44. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one inorganic 10 acid; 45. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one bitter compound; 46. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one polymer; 47. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one protein or 15 protein hydrolysate; 48. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one surfactant; 49. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one flavonoid; 50. at least one carbohydrate, at least one amino acid, and at least one alcohol; 51. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one sugar 20 acid; 52. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one nucleotide; 53. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one organic acid; 25 54. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one inorganic acid; 55. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one bitter compound; 56. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one 30 polymer; 57. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 49 58. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one surfactant; 59. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one flavonoid; 5 60. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polyamino acid, and at least one alcohol; 61. at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one nucleotide; 62. at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one organic acid; 63. at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one inorganic acid; 10 64. at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one bitter compound; 65. at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one polymer; 66. at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 15 67. at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one surfactant; 68. at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one flavonoid; 69. at least one carbohydrate, at least one sugar acid, and at least one alcohol; 70. at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one organic acid; 71. at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one inorganic 20 acid; 72. at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one bitter compound; 73. at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one polymer; 74. at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one protein or 25 protein hydrolysate; 75. at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one surfactant; 76. at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one flavonoid; 77. at least one carbohydrate, at least one nucleotide, and at least one alcohol; 78. at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one inorganic 30 acid; 79. at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one bitter compound; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 50 80. at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one polymer; 81. at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 82. at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one surfactant; 5 83. at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one flavonoid; 84. at least one carbohydrate, at least one organic acid, and at least one alcohol; 85. at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one bitter compound; 86. at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one polymer; 10 87. at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 88. at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one surfactant; 89. at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one 15 flavonoid; 90. at least one carbohydrate, at least one inorganic acid, and at least one alcohol; 91. at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and at least one polymer; 92. at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and at least one protein 20 or protein hydrolysate; 93. at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and at least one surfactant; 94. at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and at least one flavonoid; 25 95. at least one carbohydrate, at least one bitter compound, and at least one alcohol; 96. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polymer, and at least one protein or protein hydrolysate; 97. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polymer, and at least one surfactant; 30 98. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polymer, and at least one flavonoid; 99. at least one carbohydrate, at least one polymer, and at least one alcohol; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 51 100. at least one carbohydrate, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one surfactant; 101. at least one carbohydrate, at least one protein or protein hydrolysate, and at least one flavonoid; 5 102. at least one carbohydrate, at least one surfactant, and at least one flavonoid; 103. at least one carbohydrate, at least one surfactant, and at least one alcohol; 104. at least one carbohydrate, at least one flavonoid, and at least one alcohol; 105. at least one sweet taste improving additive and D-tagatose; 106. at least one sweet taste improving additive and trehalose; 10 107. at least one sweet taste improving additive and D-galactose; 108. at least one sweet taste improving additive and rhamnose; 109. at least one sweet taste improving additive and dextrin; 110. at least one sweet taste improving additive and cyclodextrin; 111. at least one sweet taste improving additive and p-cyclodextrin; 15 112. at least one sweet taste improving additive and maltodextrin; 113. at least one sweet taste improving additive and dextran; 114. at least one sweet taste improving additive and sucrose; 115. at least one sweet taste improving additive and glucose; 116. at least one sweet taste improving additive and fructose; 20 117. at least one sweet taste improving additive and threose; 118. at least one sweet taste improving additive and arabinose; 119. at least one sweet taste improving additive and xylose; 120. at least one sweet taste improving additive and lyxose; 121. at least one sweet taste improving additive and allose; 25 122. at least one sweet taste improving additive and altrose; 123. at least one sweet taste improving additive and mannose; 124. at least one sweet taste improving additive and idose; 125. at least one sweet taste improving additive and talose; 126. at least one sweet taste improving additive and lactose; 30 127. at least one sweet taste improving additive and maltose; 128. at least one sweet taste improving additive and invert sugar; 129. at least one sweet taste improving additive and trehalose; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 52 130. at least one sweet taste improving additive and isotrehalose; 131. at least one sweet taste improving additive and neotrehalose; 132. at least one sweet taste improving additive and palatinose; 133. at least one sweet taste improving additive and galactose; 5 134. at least one sweet taste improving additive and beet oligosaccharides; 135. at least one sweet taste improving additive and isomalto-oligosaccharides; 136. at least one sweet taste improving additive and isomaltose; 137. at least one sweet taste improving additive and isomaltotriose; 138. at least one sweet taste improving additive and panose; 10 139. at least one sweet taste improving additive and xylo-oligosaccharides; 140. at least one sweet taste improving additive and xylotriose; 141. at least one sweet taste improving additive and xylobiose; 142. at least one sweet taste improving additive and gentio-oligoscaccharides; 143. at least one sweet taste improving additive and gentiobiose; 15 144. at least one sweet taste improving additive and gentiotriose; 145. at least one sweet taste improving additive and gentiotetraose; 146. at least one sweet taste improving additive and sorbose; 147. at least one sweet taste improving additive and nigero-oligosaccharides; 148. at least one sweet taste improving additive and palatinose oligosaccharides; 20 149. at least one sweet taste improving additive and fucose; 150. at least one sweet taste improving additive and fructooligosaccharides; 151. at least one sweet taste improving additive and kestose; 152. at least one sweet taste improving additive and nystose; 153. at least one sweet taste improving additive and maltotetraol; 25 154. at least one sweet taste improving additive and maltotriol; 155. at least one sweet taste improving additive and malto-oligosaccharides; 156. at least one sweet taste improving additive and maltotriose; 157. at least one sweet taste improving additive and maltotetraose; 158. at least one sweet taste improving additive and maltopentaose; 30 159. at least one sweet taste improving additive and maltohexaose; 160. at least one sweet taste improving additive and maltoheptaose; 161. at least one sweet taste improving additive and lactulose; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 53 162. at least one sweet taste improving additive and melibiose; 163. at least one sweet taste improving additive and raffinose; 164. at least one sweet taste improving additive and rhamnose; 165. at least one sweet taste improving additive and ribose; 5 166. at least one sweet taste improving additive and isomerized liquid sugars; 167. at least one sweet taste improving additive and high fructose corn syrup (e.g., HFCS55 and HFCS42) or starch syrup; 168. at least one sweet taste improving additive and coupling sugars; 169. at least one sweet taste improving additive and soybean oligosaccharides; 10 170. at least one sweet taste improving additive and glucose syrup; 171. at least one sweet taste improving additive, D-tagatose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 172. at least one sweet taste improving additive, trehalose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 15 173. at least one sweet taste improving additive, D-galactose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 174. at least one sweet taste improving additive, rhamnose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 175. at least one sweet taste improving additive, dextrin, and at least one other 20 carbohydrate; 176. at least one sweet taste improving additive, cyclodextrin, and at least one other carbohydrate; 177. at least one sweet taste improving additive, p-cyclodextrin, and at least one other carbohydrate; 25 178. at least one sweet taste improving additive, maltodextrin, and at least one other carbohydrate; 179. at least one sweet taste improving additive, dextran, and at least one other carbohydrate; 180. at least one sweet taste improving additive, sucrose, and at least one other 30 carbohydrate; 181. at least one sweet taste improving additive, glucose, and at least one other carbohydrate; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 54 182. at least one sweet taste improving additive, fructose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 183. at least one sweet taste improving additive, threose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 5 184. at least one sweet taste improving additive, arabinose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 185. at least one sweet taste improving additive, xylose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 186. at least one sweet taste improving additive, lyxose, and at least one other 10 carbohydrate; 187. at least one sweet taste improving additive, allose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 188. at least one sweet taste improving additive, altrose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 15 189. at least one sweet taste improving additive, mannose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 190. at least one sweet taste improving additive, idose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 191. at least one sweet taste improving additive, talose, and at least one other 20 carbohydrate; 192. at least one sweet taste improving additive, lactose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 193. at least one sweet taste improving additive, maltose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 25 194. at least one sweet taste improving additive, invert sugar, and at least one other carbohydrate; 195. at least one sweet taste improving additive,'trehalose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 196. at least one sweet taste improving additive, isotrehalose, and at least one other 30 carbohydrate; 197. at least one sweet taste improving additive, neotrehalose, and at least one other carbohydrate; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 55 198. at least one sweet taste improving additive, palatinose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 199. at least one sweet taste improving additive, galactose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 5 200. at least one sweet taste improving additive, beet oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 201. at least one sweet taste improving additive, isomalto-oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 202. at least one sweet taste improving additive, isomaltose, and at least one other 10 carbohydrate; 203. at least one sweet taste improving additive, isomaltotriose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 204. at least one sweet taste improving additive, panose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 15 205. at least one sweet taste improving additive, xylo-oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 206. at least one sweet taste improving additive, xylotriose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 207. at least one sweet taste improving additive, xylobiose, and at least one other 20 carbohydrate; 208. at least one sweet taste improving additive, gentio-oligoscaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 209. at least one sweet taste improving additive, gentiobiose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 25 210. at least one sweet taste improving additive, gentiotriose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 211. at least one sweet taste improving additive, gentiotetraose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 212. at least one sweet taste improving additive, sorbose, and at least one other 30 carbohydrate; 213. at least one sweet taste improving additive, nigero-oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 56 214. at least one sweet taste improving additive, palatinose oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 215. at least one sweet taste improving additive, fucose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 5 216. at least one sweet taste improving additive, fructooligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 217. at least one sweet taste improving additive, kestose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 218. at least one sweet taste improving additive, nystose, and at least one other 10 carbohydrate; 219. at least one sweet taste improving additive, maltotetraol, and at least one other carbohydrate; 220. at least one sweet taste improving additive, maltotriol, and at least one other carbohydrate; 15 221. at least one sweet taste improving additive, malto-oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; 222. at least one sweet taste improving additive, maltotriose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 223. at least one sweet taste improving additive, maltotetraose, and at least one other 20 carbohydrate; 224. at least one sweet taste improving additive, maltopentaose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 225. at least one sweet taste improving additive, maltohexaose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 25 226. at least one sweet taste improving additive, maltoheptaose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 227. at least one sweet taste improving additive, lactulose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 228. at least one sweet taste improving additive, melibiose, and at least one other 30 carbohydrate; 229. at least one sweet taste improving additive, raffinose, and at least one other carbohydrate; WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 57 230. at least one sweet taste improving additive, rhamnose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 231. at least one sweet taste improving additive, ribose, and at least one other carbohydrate; 5 232. at least one sweet taste improving additive, isomerized liquid sugars, and at least one other carbohydrate; 233. at least one sweet taste improving additive, high fructose corn syrup (e.g. HFCS55 and HFCS42) or starch syrup, and at least one other carbohydrate; 234. at least one sweet taste improving additive, coupling sugars, and at least one 10 other carbohydrate; 235. at least one sweet taste improving additive, soybean oligosaccharides, and at least one other carbohydrate; and 236. at least one sweet taste improving additive, glucose syrup, and at least one other carbohydrate. 15 In another embodiment, the confection comprises at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and a base composition in combination with a plurality of sweet taste improving additives, desirably 3 or more sweet taste improving additives, and even more desirably 4 or more sweet taste improving additives, wherein each sweet 20 taste improving additive is present in an amount such that no one sweet taste improving additive imparts a substantial off taste to the sweetener composition. In other words, the amounts of the sweet taste improving additives in the sweetener composition are balanced so that no one sweet taste improving additive imparts a substantial off taste to the sweetener composition. 25 According to a particular embodiment of this invention, the sweetener composition provided herein comprises at least one sweet taste improving composition in the sweetener composition in an amount effective for the sweetener composition to impart an osmolarity of at least 10 mOsmoles/L to an aqueous solution of the sweetener composition, wherein the at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener is present in the aqueous 30 solution in an amount sufficient to impart a maximum sweetness intensity equivalent to that of a 10% aqueous solution of sucrose by weight. As used herein, "mOsmoles/L" refers to milliosmoles per liter. According to another embodiment, the sweetener WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 58 composition comprises at least one sweet taste improving composition in an amount effective for the sweetener composition to impart an osmolarity of 10 to 500 mOsmoles/L, preferably 25 to 500 mOsmoles/L preferably, more preferably 100 to 500 mOsmoles/L, more preferably 200 to 500 mOsmoles/L, and still more preferably 300 to 500 5 mOsmoles/L to an aqueous solution of the sweetener composition, wherein the at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener is present in the aqueous solution in an amount sufficient to impart a maximum sweetness intensity equivalent to that of a 10% aqueous solution of sucrose by weight. Wherein a plurality of sweet taste improving compositions are combined with at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency 10 sweetener, the osmolarity imparted is that of the total combination of the plurality of sweet taste improving compositions. Osmolarity refers to the measure of osmoles of solute per liter of solution, wherein osmole is equal to the number of moles of osmotically active particles in an ideal solution (e.g., a mole of glucose is one osmole), whereas a mole of sodium chloride is two osmoles 15 (one mole of sodium and one mole of chloride). Thus, in order to improve in the quality of taste of the sweetener composition, the osmotically active compounds or the compounds which impart osmolarity must not introduce significant off taste to the formulation. In one embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving carbohydrate additives for the 20 present invention have a molecular weight less than or equal to 500 and desirably have a molecular weight from 50 to 500. In particular embodiments, suitable carbohydrates with a molecular weight less than or equal to 500 include, but are not limited to, sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose, lactose, mannose, galactose, and tagatose. Generally, in accordance with desirable embodiments of this invention, a sweet taste improving 25 carbohydrate additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 1,000 to about 100,000 ppm. (Throughout this specification, the term ppm means parts per million by weight or volume. For example, 500 ppm means 500 mg in a liter.) In accordance with other desirable embodiments of this invention, a sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive is present in the sweetened compositions in an amount from about 30 2,500 to about 10,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving carbohydrate additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 59 include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving carbohydrate additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 50 to about 500. In one embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving polyol additives have a molecular weight less than or equal to 500 and desirably have a molecular weight from 76 5 to 500. In particular embodiments, suitable sweet taste improving polyol additives with a molecular weight less than or equal to 500 include, but are not limited to, erythritol, glycerol, and propylene glycol. Generally, in accordance with desirable embodiments of this invention, a sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 100 ppm to about 80,000 ppm. In accordance with 10 other desirable embodiments of this invention, a sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in sweetened compositions in an amount from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm. In a sub-embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving polyol additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving polyol 15 additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 76 to about 500. In accordance with still other desirable embodiments of this invention, a sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in sweetener compositions in an amount from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm of the total sweetener composition, more particularly from about about 5,000 to about 40,000 ppm, and still more particularly from about 10,000 to 20 about 35,000 ppm. Desirably, the at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive are present in the sweetener composition in a ratio from about 1:4 to about 1:800, respectively; more particularly from about 1:20 to about 1:600; even more particularly from about 1:50 to about 1:300; and still more particularly from about 1:75 to about 1:150. 25 Generally, in accordance with another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving alcohol additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 625 to about 10,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving alcohol additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not 30 limited to, sweet taste improving alcohol additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 46 to about 500. A non-limiting example of sweet taste improving alcohol additive with a molecular weight ranging from about 46 to about 500 includes ethanol.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 60 In one embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving amino acid additives have a molecular weight of less than or equal to 250 and desirably have a molecular weight- from 75 to 250. In particular embodiments, suitable sweet taste improving amino acid additives with a molecular weight less than or equal to 250 include, but are not limited to, glycine, 5 alanine, seine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, theanine, and threonine. Preferred sweet taste improving amino acid additives include those which are sweet tasting at high concentrations, but desirably are present in embodiments of this invention at amounts below or above their sweetness taste detection threshold. Even more preferred are mixtures of sweet taste improving amino acid additives at amounts below or above their 10 sweetness taste detection threshold. Generally, in accordance with desirable embodiments of this invention, a sweet taste improving amino acid additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 100 ppm to about 25,000 ppm, more particularly from about 1,000 to about 25,000 ppm, and still more particularly from about 2,500 to about 5,000 ppm. In accordance with other desirable embodiments of this invention, a 15 sweet taste improving amino acid additive is present in the sweetened compositions in an amount from about 250 ppm to about 7,500 ppm. In a sub-embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving amino acid additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving amino acid additives with a molecular weight ranging 20 from about 75 to about 250. Generally, in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving amino acid salt additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 25 to about 10,000 ppm, more particularly from about 1,000 to about 7,500 ppm, and still more particularly from about 2,500 to about 5,000 ppm. In 25 another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving amino acid salt additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving amino acid salt additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 75 to about 300. Non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving amino acid salt additives with a molecular weight 30 ranging from about 75 to about 300 include salts of glycine, alanine, seine, theanine, and threonine.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 61 Generally, in accordance with still another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving protein or protein hydroyslate additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 200 to about 50,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additives for imparting 5 osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 75 to about 300. Non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 75 to about 300 include proteins or protein 10 hydrolysates containing glycine, alanine, serine, and threonine. Generally, in accordance with another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving inorganic acid additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 25 to about 5,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving inorganic acid additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 15 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, phosphoric acid, HCl, and H 2 S0 4 and any other inorganic acid additives which are safe for human or animal consumption when used in a generally acceptable range. In a sub-embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving inorganic acid additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a 20 sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving inorganic acid additives with a molecular weight range from about 36 to about 98. Generally, in accordance with still another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 25 to about 5,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet 25 taste improving inorganic acid salt additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, salts of inorganic acids, for example sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium salts of phosphoric acid, and any other alkali or alkaline earth metal salts of other inorganic acids (e.g., sodium bisulfate) which are safe for human or animal 30 consumption when used in a generally acceptable range. In a sub-embodiment, suitable suitable sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 62 composition include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additives with a molecular weight range from about 58 to about 120. Generally, in accordance with still another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving organic acid additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an 5 amount from about 10 to about 5,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving organic acid additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, creatine, citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, hydroxycitric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, and any other sweet taste improving 10 organic acid additives which are safe for human or animal consumption when used in a generally acceptable range. In one embodiment, the sweet taste improving organic acid additive comprises a molecular weight range from about 60 to about 208. Generally, in accordance with still another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving organic acid salt additive is present in the sweetener compositions 15 in an amount from about 20 to about 10,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving organic acid salt additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, salts of sweet taste improving organic acid additives, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and other alkali or alkaline metal salts of citric acid, 20 malic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, hydroxycitric acid, succinic acid, and salts of any other sweet taste improving organic acid additives which are safe for human or animal consumption when used in a generally acceptable range. In one embodiment, the sweet taste improving organic acid salt additive comprises a molecular weight range from about 140 to about 208. 25 Generally, in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving organic base salt additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 10 to about 5,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving organic base salt additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are 30 not limited to, inorganic and organic acid salts of organic bases such as glucosamine salts, choline salts, and guanidine salts.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 63 Generally, in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving astringent additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 25 to about 1,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving astringent additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 5 mOsmoles/L to about 500 m0smoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, tannic acid, tea polyphenols, catechins, aluminum sulfate, AlNa(SO 4

)

2 , AlK(SO4)2 and other forms of alum. Generally, in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving nucleotide additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an 10 amount from about 5 to about 1,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving nucleotide additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, adenosine monophosphate. Generally, in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, a suitable 15 sweet taste improving polyamino acid additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 30 to about 2,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving polyamino acid additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, poly-L-lysine (e.g., poly-L-a-lysine or poly-L-e-lysine), poly-L-ornithine 20 (e.g., poly-L-a-omithine or poly-L-c-ornithine), and poly-L-arginine. Generally, in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, a suitable sweet taste improving polymer additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 30 to about 2,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving polymer additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 25 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, chitosan, sodium hexametaphosphate and its salts, pectin, hydrocolloids such as gum acacia senegal, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether). Generally, in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, a suitable 30 sweet taste improving surfactant additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 1 to about 5,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving surfactant additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 64 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, polysorbates, choline chloride, sodium taurocholate, lecithins, sucrose oleate esters, sucrose stearate esters, sucrose palmitate esters, and sucrose laurate esters. Generally, in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, a suitable 5 sweet taste improving flavonoid additive is present in the sweetener compositions in an amount from about 0.1 to about 1,000 ppm. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving flavonoid additives for imparting osmolarities ranging from about 10 mOsmoles/L to about 500 mOsmoles/L to a sweetenable composition include, but are not limited to, naringin, catechins, rutins, neohesperidin, and neohesperidin dihydrochalcone. 10 In a preferred embodiment, non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving compositions enhancing the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener's osmotic taste to be more sugar-like include sweet taste improving carbohydrate additives, sweet taste improving alcohol additives, sweet taste improving polyol additives, sweet taste improving amino acid additives, sweet taste improving amino acid salt additives, sweet 15 taste improving inorganic acid salt additives, sweet taste improving polymer additives, and sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additives. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving carbohydrate additives for improving the osmotic taste of the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener to be more sugar-like include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving carbohydrate 20 additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 50 to about 500. Non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving carbohydrate additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 50 to about 500 include sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose, lactose, mannose, galactose, ribose, rhamnose, trehalose, HFCS, and tagatose. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving polyol additives for 25 improving the osmotic taste of natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener to be more sugar-like include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving polyol additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 76 to about 500. Non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving polyol additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 76 to about 500 include erythritol, glycerol, and propylene glycol. In a sub-embodiment, other 30 suitable sweet taste improving polyol additives include sugar alcohols. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving alcohol additives for improving the osmotic taste of natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener to be more WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 65 sugar-like include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving alcohol additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 46 to about 500. A non-limiting example of sweet taste improving alcohol additive with a molecular weight ranging from about 46 to about 500 includes ethanol. 5 In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving amino acid additives for improving the osmotic taste of natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener to be more sugar-like include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving amino acid additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 75 to about 250. Non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving amino acid additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 75 to 10 about 250 include glycine, alanine, serine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, proline, hydroxyproline, glutamine, theanine, and threonine. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving amino acid salt additives for improving the osmotic taste of natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener to be more sugar-like include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving amino acid salt 15 additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 75 to about 300. Non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving amino acid salt additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 75 to about 300 include salts of glycine, alanine, seine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, proline, hydroxyproline, glutamine, theanine, and threonine. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving protein or protein 20 hydrolysate additives for improving the osmotic taste of natural and/or synthetic high potency sweetener to be more sugar-like include, but are not limited to, sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 75 to about 300. Non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additives with a molecular weight ranging from about 75 to about 300 include 25 protein or protein hydrolysates containing glycine, alanine, seine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, proline, and threonine. In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additives for improving the osmotic taste of natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener to be more sugar-like include, but are not limited to, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, 30 magnesium chloride, KH 2

PO

4 and NaH 2

PO

4 . Suitable sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additives for improving the osmotic taste may comprise a molecular weight from about 58 to about 120.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 66 In another embodiment, suitable sweet taste improving bitter additives for improving the osmotic taste of the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener to be more sugar-like include, but are not limited to, caffeine, quinine, urea, quassia, tannic acid, and naringin. 5 IV. Confections In one embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving nucleotide additive chosen from inosine monophosphate ("IMP"), guanosine monophosphate ("GMP"), adenosine monophosphate ("AMP"), cytosine 10 monophosphate (CMP), uracil monophosphate (UMP), inosine diphosphate, guanosine diphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, cytosine diphosphate, uracil diphosphate, inosine triphosphate, guanosine triphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, cytosine triphosphate, uracil triphosphate, nucleosides thereof, nucleic acid bases thereof, or salts thereof. In one embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at 15 least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive chosen from tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, cyclodextrin (e.g., a-cyclodextrin, p-cyclodextrin, and y-cyclodextrin), maltodextrin (including resistant maltodextrins such as Fibersol-2TM), dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, 20 idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, palatinose or isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto oligosaccharides (isomaltose, isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides 25 (xylotriose, xylobiose and the like), gentio-oligoscaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), sorbose, nigero-oligosaccharides, palatinose oligosaccharides, fucose, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, malto-oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and the like), lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, isomerized 30 liquid sugars such as high fructose corn/starch syrup (e.g., HFCS55, HFCS42, HFCS90), coupling sugars, soybean oligosaccharides, or glucose syrup.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 67 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive chosen from erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, xylitol, inositol, isomalt, propylene glycol, glycerol (glycerine), threitol, 5 galactitol, palatinose, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, reduced gentio-oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, or reduced glucose syrup. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive chosen from aspartic acid, arginine, 10 glycine, glutamic acid, proline, threonine, theanine, cysteine, cystine, alanine, valine, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, asparagine, serine, lysine, histidine, ornithine, methionine, carnitine, aminobutyric acid (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers), glutamine, hydroxyproline, taurine, norvaline, sarcosine, or salts thereof. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition 15 and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving polyamino acid additive chosen from poly-L-aspartic acid, poly-L-lysine (e.g., poly-L-a-lysine or poly-L-c-lysine), poly-L-ornithine (e.g., poly-L-a ornithine or poly-L-s-ornithine), poly-L-arginine, other polymeric forms of amino acids, or salts thereof. 20 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving sugar acid additive chosen from aldonic, uronic, aldaric, alginic, gluconic, glucuronic, glucaric, galactaric, galacturonic, or salts thereof. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition 25 and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive chosen from C2-C30 carboxylic acids, substituted hydroxyl C1-C30 carboxylic acids, benzoic acid, substituted benzoic acids (e.g., 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid), substituted cinnamic acids, hydroxyacids, substituted hydroxybenzoic acids, substituted cyclohexyl carboxylic acids, tannic acid, 30 lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, glucoheptonic acids, glutaric acid, creatine, adipic acid, hydroxycitric acid, malic acid, fruitaric acid, fumaric acid, maleic WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 68 acid, succinic acid, chlorogenic acid, salicylic acid, caffeic acid, bile acids, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, alginic acid, erythorbic acid, polyglutamic acid, or salts thereof. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at 5 least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid additive chosen from phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, polyphosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, carbonic acid, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, or salts thereof. In another embodiment,, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at 10 least one sweet taste improving bitter compound additive chosen from caffeine, quinine, urea, bitter orange oil, naringin, quassia, or salts thereof. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving flavorant additive chosen from vanillin, vanilla extract, 15 mango extract, cinnamon, citrus, coconut, ginger, viridiflorol, almond, menthol, grape skin extract, or grape seed extract. In another particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving flavorant additive comprises a proprietary sweetener chosen from DbhlerTM Natural Flavoring Sweetness Enhancer K14323 (DbhlerTM, Darmstadt, Germany), Syrnrise T M Natural Flavor Mask for Sweeteners 161453 or 164126 (Symrise

TM

, 20 Holzminden, Germany), Natural Advantage T M Bitterness Blockers 1, 2, 9 or 10 (Natural Advantage

TM

, Freehold, New Jersey, U.S.A.), or SucramaskTM (Creative Research Management, Stockton, California, U.S.A.) In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at 25 least one sweet taste improving polymer additive chosen from chitosan, pectin, pectic, pectinic, polyuronic, polygalacturonic acid, starch, food hydrocolloid or crude extracts thereof (e.g., gum acacia senegal, gum acacia seyal, carageenan), poly-L-lysine (e.g., poly L-a-lysine or poly-L-s-lysine), polyornithine (e.g., poly-L-a-ornithine or poly-s-ornithine), polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether), 30 polyarginine, polyaspartic acid, polyglutamic acid, polyethyleneimine, alginic acid, sodium alginate, propylene glycol alginate, sodium polyethyleneglycolalginate, sodium hexametaphosphate and its salts, or other cationic and anionic polymers.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 69 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving protein hydrolysate additive chosen from bovine serum albumin (BSA), whey protein (including fractions or concentrates thereof such as 90% 5 instant whey protein isolate, 34% whey protein, 50% hydrolyzed whey protein, and 80% whey protein concentrate), soluble rice protein, soy protein, protein isolates, protein hydrolysates, reaction products of protein hydrolysates, glycoproteins, and/or proteoglycans containing amino acids (e.g., glycine, alanine, serine, threonine, theanine, asparagine, glutamine, arginine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, norvaline, methionine, 10 proline, tyrosine, hydroxyproline, or the like). In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving surfactant additive chosen from polysorbates (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80), polysorbate 20, polysorbate 60), 15 sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate or dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium, sodium dodecyl sulfate, cetylpyridinium chloride, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, sodium cholate, carbamoyl, choline chloride, sodium glycocholate, sodium taurocholate, sodium taurodeoxycholate, lauric arginate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, lecithins, sucrose oleate esters, sucrose stearate esters, sucrose palmitate esters, sucrose laurate esters, and 20 other emulsifiers, or the like. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving flavonoid additive chosen from catechins, polyphenols, rutins, neohesperidin, naringin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, or the like. 25 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with ethanol. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at 30 least one sweet taste improving astringent compound additive chosen from tannic acid, europium chloride (EuCl 3 ), gadolinium chloride (GdCl 3 ), terbium chloride (TbCl 3 ), alum, tannic acid, and polyphenols (e.g., tea polyphenol).

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 70 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving inorganic salt additive chosen from sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium sulfate, potassium citrate, 5 europium chloride (EuCl 3 ), gadolinium chloride (GdCl 3 ), terbium chloride (TbCl 3 ), magnesium sulfate, magnesium phosphate, alum, magnesium chloride, mono-, di-, tri basic sodium or potassium salts of phosphoric acid, salts of hydrochloric acid, sodium carbonate, sodium bisulfate, or sodium bicarbonate. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition 10 and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving organic salt additive chosen from choline chloride, gluconic acid sodium salt, gluconic acid potassium salt, guanidine HCI, amiloride HCl, glucosamine HCl, monosodium glutamate (MSG), adenosine monophosphate salt, magnesium gluconate, potassium tartrate, and sodium tartrate. 15 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving nucleotide additive, at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive, and at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive; wherein the at least one nucleotide additive is chosen from inosine monophosphate ("IMP"), 20 guanosine monophosphate ("GMP"), adenosine monophosphate ("AMP"), cytosine monophosphate (CMP), uracil monophosphate (UMP), inosine diphosphate, guanosine diphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, cytosine diphosphate, uracil diphosphate, inosine triphosphate, guanosine triphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, cytosine triphosphate, uracil triphosphate, nucleosides thereof, nucleic acid bases thereof, or salts thereof; wherein the 25 at least one carbohydrate additive is chosen from tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, cyclodextrin (e.g., a-cyclodextrin, p-cyclodextrin, and y-cyclodextrin), maltodextrin (including resistant maltodextrins such as Fibersol-2TM), dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, palatinose or isomaltulose, 30 erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto- WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 71 oligosaccharides (isomaltose, isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides (xylotriose, xylobiose and the like), gentio-oligoscaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), sorbose, nigero-oligosaccharides, palatinose oligosaccharides, fucose, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, 5 malto-oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and the like), lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, isomerized liquid sugars such as high fructose corn/starch syrup (e.g., HFCS55, HFCS42, HFCS90), coupling sugars, soybean oligosaccharides, or glucose syrup; and wherein the at least one amino acid additive is chosen from aspartic acid, arginine, glycine, glutamic acid, proline, 10 threonine, theanine, cysteine, cystine, alanine, valine, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, asparagine, serine, lysine, histidine, ornithine, methionine, carnitine, aminobutyric acid (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers), glutamine, hydroxyproline, taurine, norvaline, sarcosine, or salts thereof. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition 15 and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving nucleotide additive and at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive; wherein the at least one nucleotide additive is chosen from inosine monophosphate ("IMP"), guanosine monophosphate ("GMP"), adenosine monophosphate ("AMP"), cytosine monophosphate (CMP), uracil monophosphate (UMP), inosine 20 diphosphate, guanosine diphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, cytosine diphosphate, uracil diphosphate, inosine triphosphate, guanosine triphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, cytosine triphosphate, uracil triphosphate, nucleosides thereof, nucleic acid bases thereof, or salts thereof; and wherein the at least one carbohydrate additive is chosen from tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, cyclodextrin (e.g., a-cyclodextrin, p 25 cyclodextrin, and y-cyclodextrin), maltodextrin (including resistant maltodextrins such as Fibersol-2TM), dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, palatinose or isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, 30 mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides (isomaltose, isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides (xylotriose, xylobiose and the WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 72 like), gentio-oligoscaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, genetiotetraose and the like), sorbose, nigero-oligosaccharides, palatinose oligosaccharides, fucose, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, malto oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose 5 and the like), lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, isomerized liquid sugars such as high fructose corn/starch syrup (e.g., HFCS55, HFCS42, HFCS90), coupling sugars, soybean oligosaccharides, or glucose syrup. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at 10 least one sweet taste improving nucleotide additive and at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive; wherein the at least one nucleotide additive is chosen from inosine monophosphate ("IMP"), guanosine monophosphate ("GMP"), adenosine monophosphate ("AMP"), cytosine monophosphate (CMP), uracil monophosphate (UMP), inosine diphosphate, guanosine diphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, cytosine diphosphate, uracil 15 diphosphate, inosine triphosphate, guanosine triphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, cytosine triphosphate, uracil triphosphate, nucleosides thereof, nucleic acid bases thereof, or salts thereof; and wherein the at least one polyol additive is chosen from erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, xylitol, inositol, isomalt, propylene glycol, glycerol (glycerine), threitol, galactitol, palatinose, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, reduced 20 xylo-oligosaccharides, reduced gentio-oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, or reduced glucose syrup. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving nucleotide additive and at least one sweet taste improving 25 amino acid; wherein the at least one nucleotide additive is chosen from inosine monophosphate ("IMP"), guanosine monophosphate ("GMP"), adenosine monophosphate ("AMP"), cytosine monophosphate (CMP), uracil monophosphate (UMP), inosine diphosphate, guanosine diphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, cytosine diphosphate, uracil diphosphate, inosine triphosphate, guanosine triphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, 30 cytosine triphosphate, uracil triphosphate, nucleosides thereof, nucleic acid bases thereof, or salts thereof; and wherein the at least one amino acid additive is chosen from aspartic acid, arginine, glycine, glutamic acid, proline, threonine, theanine, cysteine, cystine, WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 73 alanine, valine, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, asparagine, serine, lysine, histidine, ornithine, methionine, carnitine, aminobutyric acid (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers), glutamine, hydroxyproline, taurine, norvaline, sarcosine, or salts thereof. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition 5 and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive, at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive, and at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive; wherein the at least one carbohydrate additive is chosen from tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, cyclodextrin (e.g., a-cyclodextrin, p-cyclodextrin, and y-cyclodextrin), maltodextrin 10 (including resistant maltodextrins such as Fibersol-2TM), dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, palatinose or isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic 15 acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto oligosaccharides (isomaltose, isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides (xylotriose, xylobiose and the like), gentio-oligoscaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), sorbose, nigero-oligosaccharides, palatinose oligosaccharides, fucose, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, 20 malto-oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and the like), lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, isomerized liquid sugars such as high fructose corn/starch syrup (e.g., HFCS55, HFCS42, HFCS90), coupling sugars, soybean oligosaccharides, or glucose syrup; wherein the at least one polyol additive is chosen from erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, xylitol, 25 inositol, isomalt, propylene glycol, glycerol (glycerine), threitol, galactitol, palatinose, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, reduced gentio oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, or reduced glucose syrup; and wherein the at least one amino acid additive is chosen from aspartic acid, arginine, glycine, glutamic acid, proline, threonine, theanine, cysteine, cystine, alanine, valine, tyrosine, leucine, 30 isoleucine, -asparagine, seine, lysine, histidine, ornithine, methionine, carnitine, aminobutyric acid (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers), glutamine, hydroxyproline, taurine, norvaline, sarcosine, or salts thereof.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 74 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive and at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive; wherein the at least one carbohydrate additive is chosen from 5 tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, cyclodextrin (e.g., a-cyclodextrin, p cyclodextrin, and y-cyclodextrin), maltodextrin (including resistant maltodextrins such as Fibersol-2TM), dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, palatinose or isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, 10 erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides (isomaltose, isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides (xylotriose, xylobiose and the like), gentio-oligoscaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), 15 sorbose, nigero-oligosaccharides, palatinose oligosaccharides, fucose, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, malto oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and the like), lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, isomerized liquid sugars such as high fructose corn/starch syrup (e.g., HFCS55, HFCS42, HFCS90), coupling 20 sugars, soybean oligosaccharides, or glucose syrup; and wherein the at least one polyol additive is chosen from erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, xylitol, inositol, isomalt, propylene glycol, glycerol (glycerine), threitol, galactitol, palatinose, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, reduced gentio oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, or reduced glucose syrup. 25 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive and at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive; wherein the at least one carbohydrate additive is chosen from tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, cyclodextrin (e.g., a-cyclodextrin, p 30 cyclodextrin, and -cyclodextrin), maltodextrin (including resistant maltodextrins such as Fibersol-2TM), dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 75 neotrehalose, palatinose or isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides (isomaltose, 5 isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides (xylotriose, xylobiose and the like), gentio-oligoscaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), sorbose, nigero-oligosaccharides, palatinose oligosaccharides, fucose, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, malto oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose 10 and the like), lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, isomerized liquid sugars such as high fructose corn/starch syrup (e.g., HFCS55, HFCS42, HFCS90), coupling sugars, soybean oligosaccharides, or glucose syrup; and wherein the at least one amino acid additive is chosen from aspartic acid, arginine, glycine, glutamic acid, proline, threonine, theanine, cysteine, cystine, alanine, valine, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, 15 asparagine, serine, lysine, histidine, ornithine, methionine, carnitine, aminobutyric acid (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers), glutamine, hydroxyproline, taurine, norvaline, sarcosine, or salts thereof. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at 20 least one sweet taste improving polyol additive and at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive; wherein the at least one polyol additive is chosen from erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, xylitol, inositol, isomalt, propylene glycol, glycerol (glycerin), threitol, galactitol, palatinose, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, reduced gentio-oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, or 25 reduced glucose syrup; and wherein the at least one amino acid additive is chosen from aspartic acid, arginine, glycine, glutamic acid, proline, threonine, theanine, cysteine, cystine, alanine, valine, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, asparagine, seine, lysine, histidine, ornithine, methionine, carnitine, aminobutyric acid (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers), glutamine, hydroxyproline, taurine, norvaline, sarcosine, or salts thereof. 30 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive and at least one sweet taste improving WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 76 inorganic salt additive; wherein the at least one polyol additive is chosen from erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, xylitol, inositol, isomalt, propylene glycol, glycerol (glycerin), threitol, galactitol, palatinose, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, reduced gentio-oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, or 5 reduced glucose syrup; and wherein the at least one inorganic salt additive is chosen from sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium sulfate, potassium citrate, europium chloride (EuCl 3 ), gadolinium chloride (GdCl 3 ), terbium chloride (TbCl 3 ), magnesium sulfate, alum, magnesium chloride, mono-, di-, tri-basic sodium or potassium salts of phosphoric acid, salts of hydrochloric acid, sodium 10 carbonate, sodium bisulfate, or sodium bicarbonate. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive and at least one sweet taste improving inorganic salt additive; wherein the at least one carbohydrate additive is chosen 15 from tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, cyclodextrin (e.g., a-cyclodextrin, p cyclodextrin, and y-cyclodextrin), maltodextrin (including resistant maltodextrins such as Fibersol-2TM), dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, palatinose or isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, 20 erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides (isomaltose, isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides (xylotriose, xylobiose and the like), gentio-oligoscaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), 25 sorbose, nigero-oligosaccharides, palatinose oligosaccharides, fucose, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, malto oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and the like), lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, isomerized liquid sugars such as high fructose corn/starch syrup (e.g., HFCS55, HFCS42, HFCS90), coupling 30 sugars, soybean oligosaccharides, or glucose syrup; and wherein the at least one inorganic salt additive is chosen from sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium sulfate, potassium citrate, europium chloride (EuCl 3 ), gadolinium WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 77 chloride (GdCl 3 ), terbium chloride (TbCl 3 ), magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, alum, magnesium chloride, mono-, di-, tri-basic sodium or potassium salts of phosphoric acid, salts of hydrochloric acid, sodium carbonate, sodium bisulfate, or sodium bicarbonate. 5 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive, at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive, and at least one sweet taste improving inorganic salt additive; wherein the at least one carbohydrate additive is chosen from tagatose, trehalose, 10 galactose, rhamnose, cyclodextrin (e.g., a-cyclodextrin, p-cyclodextrin, and y cyclodextrin), maltodextrin (including resistant maltodextrins such as Fibersol-2TM), dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, palatinose or isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, erythrulose, 15 xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides (isomaltose, isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides (xylotriose, xylobiose and the like), gentio-oligoscaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), sorbose, nigero-oligosaccharides, 20 palatinose oligosaccharides, fucose, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, malto-oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and the like), lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, isomerized liquid sugars such as high fructose corn/starch syrup (e.g., HFCS55, HFCS42, HFCS90), coupling sugars, soybean oligosaccharides, or glucose 25 syrup; wherein the at least one amino acid additive is chosen from aspartic acid, arginine, glycine, glutamic acid, proline, threonine, theanine, cysteine, cystine, alanine, valine, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, asparagine, seine, lysine, histidine, ornithine, methionine, carnitine, aminobutyric acid (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers), glutamine, hydroxyproline, taurine, norvaline, sarcosine, or salts thereof; and wherein the at least one 30 inorganic salt additive is chosen from sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate, potassium citrate, europium chloride (EuCl 3 ), gadolinium chloride (GdCl 3 ), terbium chloride (TbCl 3 ), magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, alum, magnesium WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 78 chloride, mono-, di-, tri-basic sodium or potassium salts of phosphoric acid, salts of hydrochloric acid, sodium carbonate, sodium bisulfate, or sodium bicarbonate. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at 5 least one sweet taste improving polyol additive and at least one sweet taste improving polyamino acid additive; wherein the at least one polyol additive is chosen from erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, xylitol, inositol, isomalt, propylene glycol, glycerol (glycerin), threitol, galactitol, palatinose, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, reduced gentio-oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, or 10 reduced glucose syrup; and wherein the at least one polyamino acid additive is chosen from poly-L-aspartic acid,'poly-L-lysine (e.g., poly-L-a-lysine or poly-L-E-lysine), poly L-ornithine (e.g., poly-L-a-omithine or poly-L-s-omithine), poly-L-arginine, and other polymeric forms of amino acids, or salts thereof. In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition 15 and at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener in combination with at least one sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additive and at least one sweet taste improving inorganic salt additive; wherein the at least one sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additive is chosen from bovine serum albumin (BSA), whey protein (including fractions or concentrates thereof such as 90% instant 20 whey protein isolate, 34% whey protein, 50% hydrolyzed whey protein, and 80% whey protein concentrate), soluble rice protein, soy protein, protein isolates, protein hydrolysates, reaction products of protein hydrolysates, glycoproteins, and/or proteoglycans containing amino acids (e.g., glycine, alanine, serine, threonine, theanine, asparagine, glutamine, arginine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, norvaline, methionine, proline, 25 tyrosine, hydroxyproline, or the like), collagen (e.g., gelatin), partially hydrolyzed collagen (e.g., hydrolyzed fish collagen), and collagen hydrolysates (e.g., porcine collagen hydrolysate); and wherein the at least one sweet taste improving inorganic salt additive is chosen from sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate, potassium citrate, europium chloride (EuCl 3 ), gadolinium chloride (GdCl 3 ), terbium chloride (TbCl 3 ), 30 magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, alum, magnesium chloride, mono-, di-, tri basic sodium or potassium salts of phosphoric acid, salts of hydrochloric acid, sodium carbonate, sodium bisulfate, or sodium bicarbonate.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 79 In another embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and rebaudioside A in combination with at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener other than rebaudioside-A and at least one sweet taste improving composition. In another particular embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base 5 composition and rebaudioside A in combination with at least one synthetic high-potency sweetener, wherein the at least one synthetic high-potency sweetener functions as a sweet taste improving composition. Non-limiting examples of suitable sweet taste improving synthetic sweetener additives include sucralose, potassium acesulfame, aspartame, alitame, saccharin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, cyclamate, neotame, N-[N-[3-(3 10 hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, N-[N [3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methylbutyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, N-[N-[3-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a-asyartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1 methyl ester, salts thereof, and the like. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener 15 composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, cyclamate, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive and at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste 20 improving amino acid additive is present in an amount from about 100 ppm to about 25,000 ppm of the composition, and the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in an amount from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm of the composition. In a still more particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is glycine or alanine, and the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is erythritol. 25 In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive and at least one sweet taste improving 30 protein or protein hydrolysate additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is present in an amount from about 100 to about 25,000 ppm of the composition, and the at least one sweet taste improving WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 80 protein or protein hydrolysate additive is present in an amount from about 200 ppm to about 50,000 ppm of the composition. In a still more particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is glycine or lysine, and the at least one sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additive is a protein, a hydrolysate, or 5 a reaction product of a hydrolysate of a protein containing glycine, alanine, serine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, proline, or threonine. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, 10 aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additive and at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additive is present in an amount from about 200 ppm to about 50,000 ppm of the composition, and at least one sweet taste 15 improving polyol additive is present in an amount from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm of the composition. In a still more particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additive is a protein, a hydrolysate, or a reaction product of a hydrolysate of proteins containing glycine, alanine, seine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, proline, or threonine, and the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive 20 is erythritol. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least 25 one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive is present in an amount from about 1,000 to about 100,000 ppm of the composition. In a still more particular embodiment, the sweetener composition comprises REBA and glucose, sucrose, HFCS, or D-fructose in an amount from about 10,000 ppm to about 80,000 ppm of the composition. 30 In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 81 aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in an amount from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm of the composition. In another particular embodiment, the at least one 5 sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in an amount from about 5,000 to about 60,000 ppm of the composition. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination 10 with propylene glycol, erythritol, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA) (with at least 50 % REBA in a steviol glycoside mixture) in combination with at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is provided. Desirably, the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive comprises 15 erythritol. In a particular embodiment of the sweetener composition, rebaudioside A is present in an amount from about 100 to about 3,000 ppm and the erythritol is present in an amount from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm of the total sweetener composition. In another embodiment of the sweetener composition, rebaudioside A is present in an amount from about 100 to about 3,000 ppm and the erythritol is present in an amount from about 20 5,000 to about 40,000 ppm of the total sweetener composition. In still another embodiment of the sweetener composition, rebaudioside A is present in an amount from about 100 to about 3,000 ppm and the erythritol is present in an amount from about 10,000 to about 35,000 ppm of the total sweetener composition. In another particular embodiment of the sweetener composition, rebaudioside A and erythritol are present in the 25 sweetener composition in a ratio from about 1:4 to about 1:800, respectively. In yet another particular embodiment of the sweetener composition, rebaudioside A and erythritol are present in the sweetener composition in a ratio from about 1:20 to about 1:600, respectively; more particularly from about 1:50 to about 1:300; and still more particularly from about 1:75 to about 1:150. 30 In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, or curculin, in combination with at WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 82 least one sweet taste improving synthetic sweetener additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the confection comprises a base composition and a sweetener comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA) in combination with saccharin or acesulfame potassium or other salts in an amount from about 10 ppm to about 100 ppm of the composition. 5 In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive and at least one sweet taste improving 10 polyol additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive is present in an amount from about 1,000 to about 100,000 ppm of the composition and at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in an amount from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm of the composition. Non limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising 15 rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with tagatose, fructose or sucrose and erythritol. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener 20 composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving inorganic salt additive is provided. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A 25 (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with NaCl, KCl, NaHSO 4 .H20, NaH 2

PO

4 , MgSO 4 , KAl(SO4)2 (alum), magnesium phosphate, magnesium chloride, KCl and KH 2

PO

4 , or other combinations thereof. A particularly desirable embodiment comprises the a base 30 composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 83 neotame, in combination with a mixture of inorganic salt additives, such as chlorides, phosphates, and sulfates of sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium (e.g., sodium chloride and potassium chloride; potassium phosphate and potassium chloride; sodium chloride and sodium phosphate; calcium phosphate and calcium sulfate; magnesium 5 chloride and magnesium phosphate; and calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, and potassium sulfate). In a particular embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprises aspartame, acesfulame potassium or other salts, and sucralose in combination with at least one sweet taste improving inorganic salt additive. 10 In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving inorganic salt additive is present in an amount in the range of about 25 to about 5,000 ppm of the composition. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose in combination with magnesium chloride; a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising 15 aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose in combination with magnesium sulfate; or a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose in combination with magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, 20 mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving organic acid salt additive is provided. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, 25 monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with choline chloride in citrate buffer, D-gluconic acid sodium salt, guanidine HCl, D-glucosamine HCl, amiloride HCl, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener 30 composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 84 one sweet taste improving organic acid additive is provided. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or 5 other salts, or neotame, in combination with fumaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, adipic acid, ascorbic acid, tannic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, 10 mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is present in an amount from about 100 to about 25,000 ppm of the composition. Non-limiting examples include a base 15 composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with glycine, L-alanine, L-serine, L-threonine, P-alanine, aminobutyric acid (alpha-, beta-, or gamma-isomers), L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L 20 lysine, glycine and L-alanine mixture, salt derivatives or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least 25 one sweet taste improving surfactant additive is provided. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium, cetylpyridinium chloride, 30 hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, sucrose oleate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, lecithin, or combinations thereof.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 85 In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least 5 one sweet taste improving polymer additive is provided. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with cationic polymer such as polyethyleneimine, poly-L 10 lysine (e.g., poly-L-a-lysine or poly-L-8-lysine), polyornithine (e.g., poly-L-a-ornithine or poly-8-ornithine), chitosan, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, 15 aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving polymer additive and at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving polymer additive is present in an amount from about 30 to about 2,000 ppm of the composition, and the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in an 20 amount from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm of the composition. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with a hydrocolloid, such as a gum acacia seyal, 25 and erythritol. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least 30 one sweet taste improving protein or protein hydrolysate additive is provided. Non limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 86 sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with bovine serum albumin (BSA), whey protein or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener 5 composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive and at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet 10 taste improving amino acid additive is present in an amount from about 100 to about 25,000 ppm of the composition and the at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive is present in an amount from about 25 to about 5,000 ppm of the composition. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo 15 Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with glycine and alum; a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, 20 or neotame, in combination with glycine and potassium chloride; a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with glycine and sodium chloride; a base composition and a sweetener composition 25 comprising REBA in combination with glycine, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and potassium chloride; and rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, morgroside IV, morgroside V, Lo Han Guo, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with glycine, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride. 30 In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 87 cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive and at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive is present in an amount from about 1,000 5 to about 100,000 ppm of the composition and the at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive is present in an amount from about 25 ppm to about 5,000 ppm. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, 10 acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with fructose, sucrose, or glucose and alum; a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with fructose, sucrose, or glucose and 15 potassium chloride; a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with fructose, sucrose, or glucose and sodium chloride; a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising 20 rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with fructose, sucrose, or glucose, potassium phosphate, and potassium chloride; and a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, 25 mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with fructose, sucrose, or glucose, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride. In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside 30 IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving bitter additive and at least one sweet taste WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 88 improving inorganic salt additive is provided. A non-limiting example include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or 5 neotame, in combination with urea and sodium chloride. In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination 10 with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive and at least one sweet taste improving polyamino acid additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is present in an amount from about 100 to about 25,000 ppm of the composition and the at least one sweet taste improving polyamino acid additive is present in an amount from about 30 to about 2,000 ppm of the 15 composition. Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with glycine and poly-a-L-lysine; and a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising 20 rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with glycine and poly-8-L-lysine. In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside 25 IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive and at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is present in an amount from about 100 to about 30 25,000 ppm of the composition and the at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive is present in an amount from about 10 to about 5,000 ppm of the composition. A non-limiting example includes a base composition and a sweetener composition WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 89 comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with glycine and sodium gluconate. 5 In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive and at least one sweet taste 10 improving carbohydrate additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is present in an amount from about 100 to about 25,000 ppm of the composition and the at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive is present in an amount from about 1,000 to about 100,000 ppm of the composition. A non-limiting example includes a base composition and a sweetener 15 composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with L-alanine and fructose. In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a 20 sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A '(REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive, at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive, at least one sweet taste improving inorganic salt additive, and 25 at least one sweet taste improving organic acid salt additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is present in an amount from about 100 to about 25,000 ppm of the composition, the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in an amount from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm of the composition, the at least one sweet taste improving inorganic salt additive is 30 present in an amount from about 25 to about 5,000 ppm of the composition, and the at least one sweet taste improving organic acid salt additive is present in an amount from about 20 to about 10,000 ppm of the composition. A non-limiting example includes a base WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 90 composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with erythritol, glycine, KCl, KH 2

PO

4 , and choline chloride. 5 In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive, at least one sweet taste 10 improving carbohydrate additive, and at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is present in an amount from about 100 to about 25,000 ppm of the composition, the at least one sweet taste improving carbohydrate additive is present in an amount from about 1,000 to about 100,000 ppm of the composition, and the at least one sweet taste 15 improving polyol additive is present in an amount from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm of the composition. A non-limiting example includes a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with L 20 alanine, fructose, and erythritol. In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination 25 with at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive, at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive, and at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive is provided. In a particular embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving amino acid additive is present in an amount from about 100 to about 25,000 ppm of the composition, the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in an amount 30 from about 400 to about 80,000 ppm of the composition, and the at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive is present in an amount from about 25 to about 5,000 ppm of the composition. A non-limiting example includes a base composition and a WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 91 sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with erythritol, glycine, KCl, and KH 2 P0 4 . 5 In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, glycyrrihizin such as mono ammonium glycyrrhizic acid salt hydrate, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with a sweet taste 10 improving inorganic acid salt additive is provided. A non-limiting example includes a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, glycyrrihizin such as mono-ammonium glycyrrhizic acid salt hydrate, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in 15 combination with sodium chloride. In one embodiment, a confection is provided comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside-A (REBA), stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, monatin, curculin, glycyrrihizin such as mono ammonium glycyrrhizic acid salt hydrate, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, 20 acesulfame potassium or other salts, or neotame, in combination with at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive and at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive. Desirably, the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in an amount from about 20,000 to about 50,000 ppm of the composition and the at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive is present in an amount from about 10 to about 25 5,000 ppm of the composition. Wherein more than one sweet taste improving organic acid additive is present in the composition, the plurality of sweet taste improving organic acid additives are present in an amount from about 500 to about 2,500 ppm of the composition, more particularly in an amount from about 500 to about 1,500 ppm of the composition. In a particular embodiment, the composition described hereinabove further comprises at least 30 one sweet taste improving inorganic acid additive, at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive, at least one sweet taste improving organic acid salt additive, or combinations thereof.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 92 In another embodiment, a confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive and at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive is provided. Desirably, the REBA has a purity from about 50 to about 100% by weight of 5 REBA, more desirably from about 80 to about 99.5% by weight REBA, most desirably from about 97 to about 99.5% by weight REBA in a steviolglycoside mixture. In a particular embodiment, the REBA is present in the composition in an amount from about 100 to about 3,000 ppm, more desirably in an amount from about 200 to about 2,000 ppm, and even more desirably in an amount from about 250 to about 750 ppm of the 10 composition. Desirably, the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in an amount from about 20,000 to about 50,000 ppm of the composition and the at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive is present in an amount from about 10 to about 5,000 ppm of the composition. In a particularly desirable embodiment, the at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive is present in an amount from about 30,000 to 15 about 40,000 ppm and the at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive is present in an amount from about 500 to about 2,500 ppm of the composition. In a particular embodiment, a plurality of sweet taste improving organic acid additives are present in the sweetener composition in an amount from about 500 to about 2,500 ppm of the composition, the plurality of organic acid additives comprising a mixture of lactic acid 20 in an amount from about 40 to about 250 ppm, citric acid in an amount from about 150 to about 460 ppm, malic acid in an amount from about 150 to about 460 ppm, and tartaric acid in an amount from about 150 to about 460 ppm. A non-limiting example includes a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with erythritol, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, or combinations thereof. In a 25 particular embodiment, the sweetener composition comprises 34,000 ppm of erythritol, 80 ppm of lactic acid, 310 ppm of citric acid, 310 ppm of malic acid, 310 ppm or tartaric acid, and 550 ppm of REBA. Desirably, the REBA has a purity from about 80 to about 99.5% by weight of REBA, more desirably from about 97 to about 99.5% by weight REBA in a steviolglycoside mixture.. The sweetener composition optionally also may include 30 flavorants such as caramel, vanilla, or other such flavorants as described herein, or combinations thereof.

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 93 In another embodiment, the confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive and at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive described hereinabove further comprises at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid 5 additive. Desirably, at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid additive is present in an amount from about 25 to about 5,000 ppm of the composition. Non-limiting examples of sweet taste improving inorganic acid additives include phosphoric acid, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and combinations thereof. In yet another embodiment, the confection comprising a base composition and a 10 sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with at least one sweet taste improving polyol additive and at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive described hereinabove further comprises at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive and/or at least one sweet taste improving organic acid salt additive. Desirably, the at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive is present in 15 an amount from about 25 to about 5,000 ppm of the composition, more desirably in an amount from about 50 to about 250 ppm, most desirably in an amount of about 150 ppm. Desirably, the at least one sweet taste improving organic acid salt additive is present in an amount from about 20 to about 10,000 ppm of the composition, more desirably in an amount from about 50 to about 350 ppm, most desirably in an amount of about 148 ppm. 20 Non-limiting examples include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with erythritol, sodium chloride or magnesium chloride, and lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, or combinations thereof; a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with erythritol, potassium citrate or sodium citrate, and lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, 25 tartaric acid, or combinations thereof; or a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with erythritol, sodium chloride and sodium citrate, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the confection comprising a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with at least one sweet taste 30 improving polyol additive, at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid additive, and at least one sweet taste improving organic acid additive described hereinabove further comprises at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive and/or at least WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 94 one sweet taste improving organic acid salt additive. Desirably, the at least one sweet taste improving inorganic acid salt additive is present in an amount from about 25 to about 5,000 ppm of the composition, more desirably in an amount from about 50 to about 250 ppm, most desirably in an amount of about 150 ppm. Desirably, the at least one sweet 5 taste improving organic acid salt additive is present in an amount from about 20 to about 10,000 ppm of the composition, more desirably in an amount from about 50 to about 350 ppm, most desirably in an amount of about 148 ppm. Non-limiting examples- include a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with erythritol, phosphoric acid, sodium chloride or magnesium chloride, and lactic acid, citric 10 acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, or combinations thereof; a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with erythritol, phosphoric acid, potassium citrate or sodium citrate, and lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, or combinations thereof; or a base composition and a sweetener composition comprising REBA in combination with erythritol, phosphoric acid, sodium chloride and sodium 15 citrate, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid, or combinations thereof. The desired weight ratio of the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener to sweet taste improving composition(s) in the sweetener composition will depend on the particular natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, and the sweetness and other characteristics desired in the final product. Natural and/or synthetic high-potency 20 sweeteners vary greatly in their potency, ranging from about 30 times more potent than sucrose to about 8,000 times more potent than sucrose on a weight basis. In general, the weight ratio of the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener to sweet taste improving composition may for example range from range between 10,000:1 and 1:10,000; a further non-limiting example may range from about 9,000:1 to about 1:9,000; 25 yet another example may range from about 8,000:1 to about 1:8,000; a further example may range from about 7,000:1 to about 1:7,000; another example may range from about 6,000:1 to about 1:6000; in yet another example may range from about 5,000:1 to about 1:5,000; in yet another example may range from about 4,000:1 to about 1:4,000; in yet another example may range from about 3,000:1 to about 1:3,000; in yet another example 30 may range from about 2,000:1 to about 1:2,000; in yet another example may range from about 1,500:1 to about 1:1,500; in yet another example may range from about 1,000:1 to about 1:1,000; in yet another example may range from about 900:1 to about 1:900; in yet WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 95 another example may range from about 800:1 to about 1:800; in yet another example may range from about 700:1 to about 1:700; in yet another example may range from about 600:1 to about 1:600; in yet another example may range from about 500:1 to about 1:500; in yet another example may range from about 400:1 to about 1:400; in yet another 5 example may range from about 300:1 to about 1:300; in yet another example may range from about 200:1 to about 1:200; in yet another example may range from about 150:1 to about 1:150; in yet another example may range from about 100:1 to about 1:100; in yet another example may range from about 90:1 to about 1:90; in yet another example may range from about 80:1 to about 1:80; in yet another example may range from about 70:1 to 10 about 1:70; in yet another example may range from about 60:1 to about 1:60; in yet another example may range from about 50:1 to about 1:50; in yet another example may range from about 40:1 to about 1:40; in yet another example may range from about 30:1 to about 1:30; in yet another example may range from about 20:1 to about 1:20; in yet another example may range from about 15:1 to about 1:15; in yet another example may 15 range from about 10:1 to about 1:10; in yet another example may range from about 9:1 to about 1:9; in yet another example may range from about 8:1 to about 1:8; in yet another example may range from about 7:1 to about 1:7; in yet another example may range from about 6:1 to about 1:6; in yet another example may range from about 5:1 to about 1:5; in yet another example may range from about 4:1 to about 1:4; in yet another example may 20 range from about 3:1 to about 1:3; in yet another example may range from about 2:1 to about 1:2; and in yet another example may be about 1:1; depending on the particular natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener selected. It is contemplated that the combination of at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener to at least one sweet taste improving composition may be carried 25 out in any pH range that does not materially or adversely affect the taste of the sweetener composition. A non-limiting example of the pH range may be from about 2 to about 8. A further example includes a pH range from about 2 to about 5. One of ordinary skill in the art may combine at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one sweet taste improving composition, and sweetenble 30 composition in any manner. For example, at least one natural and/or synthetic high potency sweetener may be added to the sweetenble composition before the at least one sweet taste improving composition. In another example, at least one natural and/or WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 96 synthetic high-potency sweetener may be added to the sweetenble composition after the at least one sweet taste improving composition. In yet another example, at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener may be added to the sweetenble composition simultaneously with the at least one sweet taste improving composition. 5 In yet another embodiment, at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener may be combined with the at least one sweet taste improving composition prior to being added to a sweetenble composition. For example, the at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener may be in a pure, diluted, or concentrated form as a liquid (e.g., solution), solid (e.g., powder, chunk, pellet, grain, block, crystalline, or the 10 like), suspension, gas state, or combinations thereof may be contacted with the at least one sweet taste improving composition which may be in a pure, diluted, or concentrated form as a liquid (e.g., solution), solid (e.g., powder, chunk, pellet, grain, block, crystalline, or the like), suspension, gas state, or combinations thereof before both are contacted with a sweetenble composition. In yet another embodiment, when there are more than one 15 natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners or more than one sweet taste improving composition in the sweeteneable composition, each component of the sweetenable composition may be added simultaneously, in an alternating pattern, in a random pattern, or any other pattern. Generally, the amount of natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener present 20 in a sweetened composition varies widely depending on the desired sweetness. Those of ordinary skill in the art can readily discern the appropriate amount of sweetener to put in the sweetened composition. In a particular embodiment, the at least one natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener is present in the sweetened composition in an amount in the range of about 1 to about 5,000 ppm of the sweetened composition and the at least one 25 sweet taste improving composition is present in the sweetened composition in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 100,000 ppm of the sweetened composition. In accordance with particular embodiments, suitable amounts of natural high potency sweeteners for sweetened compositions comprise amounts in the range from about 100 ppm to about 3,000 ppm for rebaudioside A; from about 50 ppm to about 3,000 ppm 30 for stevia; from about 50 ppm to about 3,000 ppm for stevioside; from about 50 ppm to about 3,000 ppm for mogroside IV; from about 50 ppm to about 3,000 ppm for mogroside V; from about 50 ppm to about 3,000 ppm for Luo Han Guo sweetener; from about 5 ppm WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 97 to about 300 ppm for monatin, from about 5 ppm to about 200 ppm forthaumatin; and from about 50 ppm to about 3,000 ppm for mono-ammonium glycyrrhizic acid salt hydrate. In accordance with particular embodiments, suitable amounts of synthetic high 5 potency sweeteners for sweetened compositions comprise a range from about 1 ppm to about 60 ppm for alitame; from about 10 ppm to about 600 ppm for aspartame; from about 1 ppm to about 20 ppm for neotame; from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm for acesulfame potassium; from about 50 ppm to about 5,000 ppm for cyclamate; from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm for saccharin; from about 5 ppm to about 250 ppm for sucralose; from 10 about 1 ppm to about 20 ppm for N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester; from about 1 ppm to about 20 ppm for N-[N-[3 (3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methylbutyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester; and from about 1 ppm to about 20 ppm for N-[N-[3-(3-methoxy-4 hydroxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester. 15 V. Confection Formulations and Methods A variety of functional ingredients, including herbs and nutritional supplements also may be included in the confection. For example, the confection may comprise functional ingredients that provide a health benefit beyond basic nutrition, non-limiting 20 examples of which include antioxidants, phytosterols and phytostanols, vitamins (e.g., vitamin D) and minerals (e.g., calcium), glucosamine, saponins, phytoestrogen, dietary fiber, fatty acids (e.g., fish oil), C-reactive protein reducing agents, policosanol, rubisco peptides, autoimmune agents, polyphenols (e.g., catechins, proanthocyanidins, procyanidins, anthocyanins, quercetin, resveratrol, isoflavones, curcumin, punicalagin, 25 ellagitannin, citrus flavonoids such as hesperidin and naringin, and chlorogenic acid)and agents for treating appetite satiation/hydration. The confections embodied herein may be prepared using known techniques. Generally, confections may be prepared as baked confections, candy, iced confections, any type of confection known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, the base 30 composition and the base material, including the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and the at least one sweet taste improving composition, may be prepared as a baked confection. The- components of the confection can be manually and/or WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 98 mechanically weighed to ensure accuracy in the components' proportions. The components are then mixed together. The confection can then be shaped or cut into portions before baking. In another particular embodiment, the confection may comprise chewing gum 5 having a liquid fill composition and a gum region comprising a gum base surrounding the liquid fill. The liquid fill composition may include any components known in the art. In a particular embodiment, the liquid fill composition comprises glycerine and at least one or more other polyols. In another particular embodiment, the liquid fill composition further comprises traditional ingredients well known in the chewing gum and confectionary arts, 10 such as flavoring agents, sweetening agents, and mixtures thereof. The liquid fill composition also may include a natural or synthetic gum to increase the viscosity of the liquid fill composition by reducing the amount of free water in the composition. Desirably, the liquid fill composition comprises a coating composition. Such coating compositions are well known to those of skill in the art. 15 In other embodiments, the confection may comprise a candy made by any process for candy making known in the art. For example, the candy may be made by boiling a solution of the base composition, the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener and the at least one sweet taste improving composition. The boiling process may be carried out in a simple open boiling pan, a steam jacketed pan, or a vacuum cooker. The solution 20 is then cooled slightly before being shaped or formed. In some embodiments, the candy confection may be subjected to the process of beating depending upon the type of candy to be produced. The candy confection is then cut into pieces or set in moulds. In alternate embodiments, one or more components of the confection may be provided in an emulsion or a nanoemulsion. For example, the natural and/or synthetic 25 high-potency sweetener and sweet taste improving compositions may be delivered as a discontinuous phase into the base composition acting as a continuous phase. Confections also may comprise agglomerated components. Not wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that physical modifications of the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener by agglomeration may slow its release in confections by 30 reducing the solubility or dissolution rate of the natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener. Briefly described, agglomerations are prepared by mixing an absorbent with an agglomerating agent in powder form, spraying a solution of the natural and/or synthetic WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 99 high-potency sweetener onto the powder as mixing continues, removing the powder from the mixer, drying to remove the solvent, and grinding to a desired particle size. Desirably, the absorber comprises a silica and the agglomerating agent comprises a cellulose derivative. Other non-limiting examples of absorbers include silicates, maltodextrin, 5 clays, spongelike beads or microbeads, amorphous sugars, amorphous carbonates and hydroxides, vegetable gums, and other spray dried materials. The agglomerated particles may be added at any point in the confection processing methods described above. VI. Examples 10 The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description therein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit 15 of the present invention and/or the scope of the appended claims. Unless otherwise specified, %'s are by weight. Example Set A Example Al 20 A confection comprises a base composition, at least one high-potency sweetener, and at least one sweet taste improving composition. The base composition comprises isomalt. The at least one high-potency sweetener comprises rebaudioside A. The at least one sweet taste improving composition comprises erythritol. More particularly, the confection is a chocolate flavored hard candy produced by 25 jet milling commercial cocoa powder using a Micron Master Im Jet Pulverizer, Model #24-920. Then, 50 grams of the air jet milled cocoa is mixed with 50 grams of anhydrous milkfat, 0.5 grams of vanillin and 0.5 grams of lecithin to produce a chocolate flavor that is added to a hot amorphous mass. The amorphous candy mass comprises 760 grams of isomalt, 2 grams of the high 30 potency sweetener, and 20 grams of the erithyritol. The amorphous candy mass is cooked to a boiling temperature to decrease the moisture content to approximately 2.0% (w/w). After the amorphous candy mass achieves the desired moisture content, the chocolate WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 100 flavor prepared hereinabove is added thereto through a static mixer to produce the finished product which is formed by depositing into metal moulds. Example A2 5 Orange-Flavored Starch-Based Gel Candy Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Table 2 provides a formulation for an orange-flavored starch-based gel candy that can be prepared according to the present invention. Thin-boiling starch can be mixed with water in a copper mixing kettle and stirred for 5-7 minutes. Maltitol syrup can then be added to the starch solution and the mixture heated to around 180'F (82'C) and 10 maintained at this temperature for approximately 10 minutes. The mixture can then be heated to around 280'F (138'C) until the starch became gelatinized, as evident by a change in physical appearance of the mixture. Rebaudioside A, erythritol, color, orange flavor and citric acid can be added and the composition uniformly mixed. The gelled candy can then be deposited into molds and 15 then cooled. The candy can be stored in a chamber at 105*F (41 C) for up to 40 hours or appropriate moisture level. After this time the candy can be removed from the incubator, cooled to room temperature, removed from the molds and the excess starch can be removed by dusting. A polished coating can be applied and the candy can be placed in a 20 sealed container. Table 2: Formulation of an Orange-Flavored Starch-Based Gel Candy Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Ingredient Weight % Maltitol Syrup 79.02 Water 6.8400 Thin-boiling starch 9.77700 Citric acid 1.1200 Orange flavor (Ungerer, Inc.) 0.0200 Rebaudioside A 0.09 Erythritol 3 Color (FD&C Yellow 5&6) 0.1400 WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 101 Example A3 Orange-Flavored Gelatin-Based Gel Candy Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Table 3 provides a formulation for an orange-flavored gelatin-based gel candy that 5 can be prepared according to the present invention. The gelatin can be first dispersed in water and then heated to around 170'F (77 C) in an open kettle cooker. The mixture can be kept at this temperature for approximately 10 minutes to ensure complete hydration of the gelatin. In a separate heating vessel, maltitol syrup can be heated to around 242'F (1 17*C) for about 10 minutes and then cooled to around 212'F (100*C), after which the 10 gelatin/water mixture can be added. The combined mixture can then be maintained at a temperature of around 160'F (71 C) for approximately 10 minutes. Rebuadioside A, erythritol, citric acid, color and orange flavor can be added and the mixture can be brought to a temperature of 90-95'F (32-35'C) for approximately 5 minutes. The gelled candy can be deposited into molds and then cooled. The candy can be stored in a chamber at 105 0 F 15 for up to 40 hours or appropriate moisture level. After this time the candy can be removed from the incubator, cooled to room temperature, removed from the molds and the excess starch can be removed by dusting. A polished coating can be applied and the candy can be placed in a sealed container. 20 Table 3: Formulation of an Orange-Flavored Gelatin-Based Gel Candy Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Ingredient Weight % Maltitol Syrup 65.3225 Water 18.7875 Citric acid 1.2100 Gelatin, 225 bloom (Atlantic, Inc.) 8.5000 Orange flavor (Ungerer, Inc.) 0.0200 Rebaudioside A 0.08 Erythritol 3 Color (FD&C Yellow 5&6) 0.08 WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 102 Example A4 Caramel Candy Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Table 4 provides a formulation for a caramel candy that can be prepared according 5 to the present invention. A rebaudioside Alerythritol/coconut oil slurry can be prepared by first heating coconut oil to its melting point followed by the addition of rebaudioside A and erytbritol using a high shear blender for about 30 seconds. In a separate cooking vessel, maltitol syrup, glycerol monostearate, lecithin, coconut oil, sodium citrate, evaporated milk and salt can be mixed and then heated to a temperature of 235-245*F 10 (113-118'C) for approximately 40 minutes. The heating can discontinued and the rebaudioside A/erythritol/coconut oil slurry, vanilla and caramel flavor can be added. The hot caramel mass can then be transferred to a cutting board and allowed to cool to room temperature. The caramel can then be cut into pieces, wrapped individually with plastic wrap and stored in a sealed container. 15 Table 4: Formulation of Caramel Candy Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Ingredient Weight % Maltitol Syrup 54.99 Lecithin 0.200 Evaporated milk 33.1500 Coconut oil (Pureco 100) 6.9800 Salt 0.6000 Sodium Citrate 0.2000 Glycerol monostearate 0.3000 Rebaudioside A 0.3 Erythritol 3 Vanilla (Hagelin, Inc.) 0.08 Caramel flavor (Silesia, Inc.) 0.2000 WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 103 Example A5 Peppermint Flavored Hard Candy Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Table 5 provides a formulation for a peppermint flavored hard candy that can be prepared according to the present invention. Maltitol syrup can be added to a cooking 5 vessel and heated to 330*F (166'C) for approximately 10 minutes. While the candy mass undergoes cooling, peppermint oil can be added at around 300'F (149'C) and uniformly mixed. The colorant, erythritol, and rebaudioside A can then be blended into the mixture at around 300'F (149'C) and 290'F (143'C), respectively. The material can then be poured on a cutting board between the metal cooling bars. Using a confectionery knife, the candy 10 can be cut by rolling over the candy mass vertically and then horizontally. When the mass cools to room temperature, the candy can be broken at the cuts and stored in covered glass containers. Table 5: Formulation of a Peppermint Flavored Hard Candy Sweetened with 15 Rebaudioside A Ingredient Weight % Maltitol Syrup 96.6 Peppermint Oil 0.2600 Rebaudioside A 0.06 Erythritol 3 Color (FD&C) 0.0800 Example A6 Orange-Flavored Hard Candy Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Table 6 provides a formulation for a orange-flavored hard candy that can be 20 prepared according to the present invention. Maltitol syrup, malic acid and citric acid can be added to a Cooking vessel and heated to 330 F (166'C) to reach a minimum solids level of 98%. While the candy mass undergoes cooling, orange flavor oil can be added at around 300'F (149'C) and uniformly mixed. The colorant, erythritol, and rebaudioside A can then be blended into the mixture at around 300'F (149'C) and 290'F (143'C), 25 respectively. The material can then be poured on a cutting board between the metal cooling bars. Using a confectionery knife, the candy can be cut by rolling over the candy WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 104 mass vertically and then horizontally. When the mass had cools to room temperature, the candy can be broken at the cuts and stored in covered glass containers. Table 6: Formulation of an Orange Flavored Hard Candy Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Ingredient Weight % Maltitol Syrup 97.54 Citric acid 0.9000 Malic acid 0.4300 Orange flavor oil 0.1500 Rebaudioside A 0.09 Erythritol 3 Color (FD&C Yellow 5&6) 0.0800 5 Example A7 Peppermint Flavored Breathmints Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Table 7 provides a formulation for a peppermint flavored breatbmint that can be prepared according to the present invention. The peppermint flavor, erythritol, and 10 rebaudioside A can be blended together with a portion (10% of the total amount) of the sorbitol in a mixing vessel until a homogeneous mixture was obtained. This mixture can then be blended with the remaining sorbitol. Magnesium stearate can be added to the mixture and the candy mass can be formed into tablets by passage through a tableting machine. The tablets can be stored in sealable plastic bags. 15 Table 7: Formulation of a Peppermint Flavored Breathmint Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Ingredient Weight % Sorbitol 95.25 Magnesium stearate 0.750 Peppermint flavor 0.100 Erythritol 3 Rebaudioside A 0.9 WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 105 Example A8 Chocolate Coating Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Table 8 provides a formulation for a chocolate compound coating that can be prepared according to the present invention. Chocolate liquor and hard butter can be 5 combined and melted in a copper cooking vessel. Maltitol, skim and whole milk powders, and salt can be added and the mix can be passed through a refiner set. The refined mass can then be placed in a conch for 24 hours. During the last hour, the vanillin, lecithin, erythritol, and rebaudioside A can be added and mixed uniformly. The chocolate coating can be poured into molds, passed through a cooling tunnel, removed 10 from the molds, packaged in plastic wrap and stored in a sealed container. Table 8: Formulation of a Chocolate Compound Coating Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Ingredient Weight % Maltitol Syrup 38.67 Hard butter 24.7900 Skim milk powder 16.2100 Chocolate liquor 12.0000 Lecithin 0.35000 Vanillin 0.1000 Salt 0.0800 Erythritol 3 Rebaudioside A 0.9 15 Example A9 Marshmallow Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Table 9 provides a formulation for a marshmallow composition that can be prepared according to the present invention. Gelatin can be separately dispersed in water 20 and allowed to completely hydrate. Isomalt, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, rebaudioside A, erythritol, and water can be combined together and heated to around 240'F (1 16'C) for approximately 10 minutes and then cooled to around 140'F (60*C).

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 106 The gelatin can then be added to the cooked syrup and the mix cooled to approximately 100'F (38'C). The mixture can then be whipped using a vertical beater to a density of 32 48 oz. per gallon and then formed into marshmallow molds. The marshmallows can then be allowed to set by cooling to room temperature. 5 Table 9: Formulation of an Isomalt-Based Marshmallow Sweetened with Rebaudioside A Ingredient Weight % Isomalt 34.2 Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate (Lycasin 22.6000 80/55) Water for starch 30.0000 Gelatin Type A 250 bloom 2.4000 Water for gelatin 7.5000 Erythritol 3 Rebaudioside A 0.3 The following Examples B1-B3, C1-C3, D, and El-E3 illustrate methods of making purified rebaudioside A in accordance with particular embodiments of this 10 invention: Example Set B Table 10: Summary of Examples B1-3 Crude Solvent Heating Drying Yield HPLC Rebaudioside A Ethanol Methanol Water T ("C) T ("C) (g) Purity (g) (95%)(mL) (99%)(mL) (mL) (wt/wt %) Bi 400 1200 400 320 50 50 130 98.9 B2 100 320 120 50 30-40 60 72 98.3 B3 50 160 60 25 -30 60 27.3 98.2 15 Example B1 Crude rebaudioside A (77.4% purity) mixture was obtained from a commercial source. The impurities (6.2% stevioside, 5.6% rebaudioside C, 0.6 % rebauiodioside F, 1.0 % other steviolglycosides, 3.0% rebaudioside D, 4.9% rebaudioside B, 0.3% WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 107 steviolbioside) were identified and quantified using HPLC on dry basis, moisture content 4.7%. Crude rebaudioside A (400 g), ethanol (95%, 1200 mL), methanol (99%, 400 mL) and water (320 mL) were combined and heated to 50'C for 10 minutes. The clear solution 5 was cooled to 22'C for 16 hours. The white crystals were filtered and washed twice with ethanol (2 x 200 mL, 95%) and dried in a vacuum oven at 50'C for 16-24 hours under reduced pressure (20 mm). The final composition of substantially pure rebaudioside A (130 g) comprised 98.91% rebaudioside A, 0.06% stevioside, 0.03% rebaudioside C, 0.12% rebaudioside F, 10 0.13% other steviolglycosides, 0.1% rebaudioside D, 0.49% rebaudioside B and 0.03% steviolbioside, all by weight. Example B2 Crude rebaudioside A (80.37 %) was obtained from a commercial source. The 15 impurities (6.22% stevioside, 2.28% rebaudioside C, 0.35% Dulcoside, 0.78 % rebaudioside F, 0.72 % other steviolglycosides, 3.33% rebaudioside B, 0.07% steviolbioside) were identified by HPLC on dry basis, moisture content 3.4%. Crude rebaudioside A (100 g), ethanol (95%, 320 mL), methanol (99%, 120 mL) and water (50 mL) were combined and heated to 30-40'C for 10 minutes. The clear 20 solution was cooled to 22'C for 16 hours. The white crystals were filtered and washed twice with ethanol (2 x 50 mL, 95%). The wet filter cake (88 g) was slurried in ethanol (95%, 1320 mL) for 16 hours, filtered, washed with ethanol (95%, 2 x 100 mL) and dried in a vacuum oven at 60 0 C for 16-24 hours under reduced pressure (20 mm). The final composition of substantially pure rebaudioside A (72 g) comprised 25 98.29% rebaudioside A, 0.03% stevioside, 0.02% rebaudioside C, 0.17% rebaudioside F, 0.06% rebaudioside D and 1.09% rebaudioside B. Steviolbioside was not detected by HPLC. Example B3 30 Crude rebaudioside A (80.37%) was obtained from a commercial source. The impurities (6.22% stevioside, 2.28% rebaudioside C, 0.35% Dulcoside, 0.78 % WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 108 rebaudioside F, 0.72 % other steviolglycosides, 3.33% rebaudioside B, 0.07% steviolbioside) were identified by HPLC on dry basis, moisture content 3.4%. Crude rebaudioside A (50 g), ethanol (95%, 160 mL), methanol (99%, 60 mL) and water (25 mL) were combined and heated to approximately 30'C for 10 minutes. The 5 clear solution was cooled to 22'C for 16 hours. The white crystals were filtered and washed twice with ethanol (2 x 25 mL, 95% ). The wet filter cake (40 g) was slurried in methanol (99%, 600 mL) for 16 hours, filtered, washed with methanol (99%, 2 x 25 mL) and dried in a vacuum oven at 60'C for 16-24 hours under reduced pressure (20 mm). The final composition of substantially pure rebaudioside A (27.3g) comprised 10 98.22% rebaudioside A, 0.04% stevioside, 0.04% rebaudioside C, 0.18% rebaudioside F, 0.08% rebaudioside D and 1.03% rebaudioside B. Steviolbioside was not detected by HPLC. Example Set C 15 Table 11: Summary of Examples C1 -3 Solvent Crude Ethanol Organic Water Wash Solvent Yield HPLC Rebaudioside (95%)(mL) Co-solvent (mL) (g) Purity A (g) (ML) (%) Cl 5 15 Methanol (6) 3.5 EtOH/MeOH 2.6 >99 (3:1 v/v) C2 5 15 Methanol (5) 4 EtOH/MeOH 2.3 >99 (3:1 v/v) C3 5 16 Methanol (6) 2.5 *EtOH/MeOH 3.2 >98 (8:3 v/v) Example C1 A mixture of crude rebaudioside A (80.37 % purity, 5 g), ethanol (95%, 15 mL), 20 methanol (5 mL) and water (3.5 mL) were combined and heated to reflux for 10 minutes. The clear solution was cooled to 22'C for 16 hours while stirring. The white crystalline product was filtered, washed twice with ethanol:methanol (5.0 mL, 3:1, v/v) mixture and dried in a vacuum oven at 50'C for 16-24 hours under reduced pressure (20 mm) to yield 2.6 g of purified product (>99% by HPLC). 25 WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 109 Example C2 A mixture of crude rebaudioside A (80.37 % purity, 5 g), ethanol (95%, 15 mL), methanol (5 mL) and water (4.0 mL) were combined and heated to reflux for 10 minutes. The clear solution was cooled to 22'C for 16 hours while stirring. The white crystalline 5 product was filtered, washed twice with ethanol:methanol (5.0 mL, 3:1, v/v) mixture and dried in a vacuum oven at 50'C for 16-24 hours under reduced pressure (20 mm) to yield 2.3 g of purified product (>99% by HPLC). Example C3 10 A mixture of crude rebaudioside A (80.37 % purity, 5 g), ethanol (95%, 16 mL), methanol (6 mL) and water (2.5 mL) were combined and heated to reflux for 10 minutes. The clear solution was cooled to 22'C for 2 hours. During this time, crystals started to appear. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The white crystalline product was filtered, washed twice with ethanol:methanol (5.0 mL, 8:3, v/v) mixture and 15 dried in a vacuum oven at 50'C for 16-24 hours under reduced pressure (20 mm) to yield 3.2 g of purified product (>98% by HPLC). Example D Table 12: Summary of Example D Solvent Crude Organic Solvent Water Wash Solvent Yield HPLC Rebaudioside (mL) (mL) (g) Purity A (g) (%) D 50 EtOH (160) 40 EtOH 19.8 99.5 20 A mixture of crude rebaudioside A (80.37 % purity, 50 g), ethanol (95%, 160 mL) and water (40 mL) were combined and heated to reflux for 30 minutes. The mixture was then allowed to cool to ambient temperature for 16-24 hours. The white crystalline product was filtered, washed twice with ethanol (95%, 25 mL), and dried in a vacuum 25 oven at 60"C for 16-24 hours under reduced pressure (20 mm) to yield 19.8 g of purified product (99.5% by HPLC).

WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 110 Example E Table 13: Summary of Examples El -3 Crude Ethanol Organic Water Methanol Yield HPLC Rebaudioside (95%)(mL) Co-solvent (mL) Slurry (g) Purity A (g) (IL) (ML) (%) El 50 160 Methanol 25 200 12.7 >97 (60) E2 50 160 Methanol 25 300 18.6 >97 (60) E3 50 160 Methanol 25 350 22.2 >97 (60) Example El 5 A mixture of crude rebaudioside A (41% purity, 50 g), ethanol (95%, 160 mL), methanol (99.8 %, 60 mL) and water (25 mL) were combined by stirring at 22 0 C. A white product crystallized out in 5-20 hours. The mixture was stirred for additional 48 hours. The white crystalline product was filtered and washed twice with ethanol (95%, 25 mL). The wet cake of white crystalline product then was slurried in methanol (99.8 %, 200 mL) 10 for 16 hours, filtered, washed twice with methanol (99.8 %, 25 mL), and dried in a vacuum oven at 60'C for 16-24 hours under reduced pressure (20 mm) to give 12.7 g of purified product (>97% by HPLC). Example E2 15 A mixture of crude rebaudioside A (48% purity, 50 g), ethanol (95%, 160 mL), methanol (99.8 %, 60 mL) and water (25 mL) was combined by stirring at 22'C. The white product crystallized out in 3-6 hours. The mixture was stirred for additional 48 hours. The white crystalline product was filtered and washed twice with ethanol (95%, 25 mL). The wet cake of white crystalline product then was slurried in methanol (99.8 %, 300 20 mL) for 16 hours, filtered, washed twice with methanol (99.8 %, 25 mL) and dried in a vacuum oven at 60'C for 16-24 hours under reduced pressure (20 mm) to give 18.6 g of purified product (>97% by HPLC). 25 WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 111 Example E3 A mixture of crude rebaudioside A (55% purity, 50 g), ethanol (95%, 160 mL), methanol (99.8 %, 60 mL) and water (25 mL) was combined by stirring at 22 0 C. The white product crystallized out in 15-30 minutes. The mixture was stirred for an additional 5 48 hours. The white crystalline product was filtered and washed twice with ethanol (95%, 25 mL). The wet cake of white crystalline product was slurried in methanol (99.8 %, 350 mL) for 16 hours, filtered, washed twice with methanol (99.8 %, 25 mL) and dried in a vacuum oven at 60 0 C for 16-24 hours under reduced pressure (20 mm) to give 22.2 g of purified product (>97% by HPLC). 10 Example F A solution of rebaudioside A ( >97% pure by HPLC ) was prepared in double distilled water (12.5 gm in 50 mL, 25 % concentration) by stirring the mixture at 40'C for 5 minutes. An amorphous rebaudioside A polymorph was formed by immediately using 15 the clear solution for spray drying with the Lab-Plant spray drier SD-04 instrument (Lab Plant Ltd., West Yorkshire, U.K.). The solution was fed through the feed pump into the nozzle atomizer which atomized it into a spray of droplets with the help of a constant flow of nitrogen / air. Moisture was evaporated from the droplets under controlled temperature conditions (about 90 to about 97,c) and airflow conditions in the drying chamber and 20 resulted in the formation of dry particles. This dry powder (11-12 g, H20 6.74 %) was discharged continuously from the drying chamber and was collected in a bottle. The solubility in water at room temperature was determined to be > 35.0 %. While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific 25 embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof. 30

Claims (40)

1. A confection comprising: a base composition; at least one high-potency sweetener; and 5 at least one sweet taste improving composition.

2. The confection of claim 1, wherein the at least one high-potency sweetener comprises a natural high-potency sweetener selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, 10 rebaudioside F, dulcoside A, dulcoside B, rubusoside, stevia, stevioside, mogroside IV, mogroside V, Luo Han Guo sweetener, siamenoside, monatin and its salts (monatin SS, RR, RS, SR), curculin, glycyrrhizic acid and its salts, thaumatin, monellin, mabinlin, brazzein, hernandulcin, phyllodulcin, glycyphyllin, phloridzin, trilobatin, baiyunoside, osladin, polypodoside A, pterocaryoside A, pterocaryoside B, mukurozioside, 15 phlomisoside I, periandrin I, abrusoside A, cyclocarioside I, and combinations thereof.

3. The confection of claim 1, wherein the at least one high-potency sweetener comprises a synthetic high-potency sweetener selected from the group consisting of sucralose, acesulfame potassium and other salts, aspartame, alitame, saccharin, 20 neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, cyclamate, neotame, N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4 methoxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, N-[N-[3-(3 hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methylbutyl]-L-a-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, N-[N-[3-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, salts thereof, and combinations thereof. 25

4. The confection of claim 1, wherein the at least one sweet taste improving composition comprises a first sweet taste improving composition selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, polyols, amino acids and their corresponding salts, polyamino acids and their corresponding salts, sugar acids and their corresponding salts, organic 30 acids, inorganic acids, organic salts, inorganic salts, bitter compounds, flavorants, astringent compounds, polymers, proteins or protein hydrolysates, surfactants, emulsifiers, flavonoids, alcohols, and combinations thereof. WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 113

5. The confection of claim 1, wherein the at least one sweet taste improving composition imparts a more sugar-like temporal profile to the confection than the sweetener would have without the at least one sweet taste improving composition. 5

6. The confection of claim 1, further comprising at least one second sweet taste improving composition different from the at least one first sweet taste improving composition and selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, polyols, amino acids and their corresponding salts, polyamino acids and their corresponding salts, sugar acids 10 and their corresponding salts, organic acids, inorganic acids, organic salts, inorganic salts, bitter compounds, flavorants, astringent compounds, polymers, proteins or protein hydrolysates, surfactants, emulsifiers, flavonoids, alcohols, and combinations thereof.

7. The confection of claim 8, further comprising at least one third sweet taste 15 improving composition different from the at least one first sweet taste improving composition and the at least one second sweet taste improving composition and selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, polyols, amino acids and their corresponding salts, polyamino acids and their corresponding salts, sugar acids and their corresponding salts, organic acids, inorganic acids, organic salts, inorganic salts, bitter compounds, 20 flavorants, astringent compounds, polymers, proteins or protein hydrolysates, surfactants, emulsifiers, flavonoids, alcohols, and combinations thereof.

8. The confection of claim 1, wherein the at least one high-potency sweetener is rebaudioside A, stevioside, stevia, or combinations thereof. 25

9. The confection of claim 8, wherein the at least one sweet taste improving composition comprises a polyol.

10. The confection of claim 9, wherein the at least one polyol comprises erythritol. 30 WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 114

11. The confection of claim 9, wherein the at least one polyol comprises xylitol.

12. The confection of claim 8, wherein the at least one sweet taste improving composition comprises at least one amino acid. 5

13. The confection of claim 12, wherein the at least one amino acid comprises glycine, alanine, proline, hydroxyproline, glutamine, or combinations thereof.

14. The confection of claim 8, wherein the at least one sweet taste improving 10 composition comprises at least one polyamino acid.

15. The confection of claim 14, wherein the at least one polyamino acid comprises poly-L-aspartic acid, poly-L-a-lysine, poly-L-e-lysine, poly-L-a-omithine, poly-e ornithine, poly-L-arginine, salts thereof, or combinations thereof. 15

16. The confection of claim 8, wherein the at least one sweet taste improving composition comprises at least one inorganic salt.

17. The confection of claim 16, wherein the at least one inorganic salt comprises a 20 sodium, potassium, calcium, or magnesium salt.

18. The confection of claim 16, further comprising at least one inorganic phosphate.

19. The confection of claim 18, wherein the at least one inorganic phosphate comprises 25 a sodium, potassium, calcium, or magnesium phosphate.

20. The confection of claim 16, further comprising at least one inorganic chloride. WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 115

21. The confection of claim 20, wherein the at least one inorganic chloride comprises a sodium, potassium, calcium, or magnesium chloride. 5

22. The confection of claim 8, wherein the at least one sweet taste improving composition comprises at least one carbohydrate.

23. The confection of claim 22, wherein the at least one carbohydrate comprises sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, glucose, or sucrose. 10

24. The confection of claim 23, wherein the at least one carbohydrate is present in the confection in an amount from about 10,000 ppm to about 80,000 ppm of the composition.

25. The confection of claim 8, wherein the at least one sweet taste improving 15 composition comprises at least one synthetic high-potency sweetener.

26. The confection of claim 25, wherein the at least one synthetic high-potency sweetener comprises sucralose, acesulfame potassium or other salts, aspartame, alitame, saccharin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, cyclamate, neotame, N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4 20 methoxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, N-[N-[3-(3 hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methylbutyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, N-[N-[ 3 -( 3 -methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl]-L-a-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, salts thereof, and combinations thereof. 25

27. The confection of claim 25, wherein the at least one synthetic high-potency sweetener comprises saccharin or acesulfame potassium or other salts. WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 116

28. The confection of claim 27, wherein the at least one synthetic sweetener is present in the confection in an amount from about 10 ppm to about 100 ppm Of the composition.

29. The confection of claim 8, wherein the rebaudioside A comprises rebaudioside A 5 in a purity greater than about 70 % rebaudioside A by weight on a dry basis.

30. The confection of claim 8, wherein the rebaudioside A comprises rebaudioside A in a purity greater than about 80 % rebaudioside A by weight on a dry basis. 10

31. The confection of claim 8, wherein the rebaudioside A comprises rebaudioside A in a purity greater than about 90 % rebaudioside A by weight on a dry basis.

32. The confection of claim 8, wherein the rebaudioside A comprises rebaudioside A in a purity greater than about 97 % rebaudioside by weight on a dry basis. 15

33. The confection of claim 8, wherein the rebaudioside A comprises rebaudioside A in a purity greater than about 98 % rebaudioside by weight on a dry basis.

34. The confection of claim 8, wherein the rebaudioside A comprises rebaudioside A 20 in a purity greater than about 99 % rebaudioside by weight on a dry basis.

35. The confection of claim 1, wherein the confection is selected from the group consisting of pastries, yogurt, jellies, drinkable jellies, puddings, Bavarian cream, blancmange, cakes, brownies, mousse, ice cream, ice milk, lacto-ice, sherbets, dessert ices, 25 crackers, biscuits, buns with bean-jam filling, halvah, alfajor, rice cakes, chewing gum, hard candy, soft candy, mints, nougat candy, jelly beans, fudge, toffee, taffy, Swiss milk tablet, licorice candy, chocolates, gelatin candies, marshmallow, marzipan, divinity, cotton WO 2007/061859 PCT/US2006/044705 117 candy, fruit flavored sauces, chocolate sauces, edible gels, butter crimes, flour pastes, whipped cream, strawberry jam, marmalade, sweet breads, and combinations thereof.

36. The confection of claim 1, wherein the base composition comprises flour, yeast, 5 water, salt, butter, eggs, milk, milk powder, liquor, gelatin, nuts, chocolate, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, natural flavors, artificial flavors, colorings, polyols, sorbitol, isomalt, maltitol, lactitol, malic acid, magnesium stearate, lecithin, hydrogenated glucose syrup, glycerine, natural or synthetic gum, starch, and combinations thereof. 10

37. The confection of claim 1, further comprising a bulk sweetener.

38. The confection of claim 1, wherein the sweet taste improving composition functions as a bulk sweetener. 15

39. The confection of claim 1, wherein the base composition is present in the confection in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 99 weight percent of the confection.

40. The confection of claim 1, wherein the natural high-potency sweetener is present in 20 the confection in an amount in the range of about 50 ppm to about 3000 ppm of the confection.