A process for preparing a malted beverage particulate comprises: a) a mixing stage in which a liquid material comprising malt extract is mixed with an expansion control agent to form a liquid admixture； b) a drying stage in which the liquid admixture is formed into a dried mass, and c) a comminution stage in which the malted beverage particulate is formed from the dried mass. Also described is a malted beverage product comprising particles which comprise malt extract and an expansion control agent； and the use of an expansion control agent to improve the drying of malted extract.
