Ethyl maltol, a white crystalline powder with the chemical formula C7H8O3, is a commonly used synthetic flavoring agent by providing caramel and cotton candy sweet taste in fruit based foods, confectionery, bakery, beverages, and wines.  

Ethyl maltol is an analogue of maltol (or methyl maltol), which is obtained by replacing the methyl group in maltol molecule with an ethyl group. They’re both flavors with the similar taste of caramelized sugar and are the basic components of some complex flavors and fragrances, and commonly used for the preparation of many fruit flavors, such as the flavors of citrus orange, pear, pineapple, cherry, grape, mango, apple, coconut and etc.