| abstract |
Disclosed are: a material which contains a lipophilic component having a pungent taste or flavor such as a spicy component (e.g., a capsaicin) and a bitter component (e.g., a turmeric extract), in which the pungent taste and/or flavor of the lipophilic component can be reduced effectively, and in which the separation among components contained therein is not caused; a method for producing the material; a composition such as a food, a beverage, a cosmetic and a medicine, which contains the material; and a liquid composition having such a form that the material is dispersed in water. Specifically disclosed are: a composite material comprising a lipophilic component having a pungent taste and/or flavor, a plant-derived cholesterol ester and a cyclodextrin; a composition comprising the composite material; a liquid composition which comprises the composite material, water and a thickening agent and has such a form that the composite material is dispersed in water; and a method for producing a composite material comprising a lipophilic component having a pungent taste and/or flavor, a plant-derived cholesterol ester and a cyclodextrin, which comprises mixing the lipophilic component, the plant-derived cholesterol ester and the cyclodextrin in the presence of water to form the composite material. |