Described herein are blends of carbohydrate-based polymeric materials with other polymeric materials, where the carbohydrate-based polymeric material is intimately blended with the other polymeric material, so as to exhibit very small particles sizes (e.g., less than 2 μm, or less than 1 μm) for the carbohydrate-based polymeric material in the matrix of the other polymeric material. Such intimate dispersion of very small particles provides for far more of the particles dispersed more evenly throughout the matrix of the other polymeric material, which may enhance various performance characteristics of the blended composite material, and provide for more consistent achievement of such characteristics, from batch to batch. Methods of producing articles from such blends exhibiting such small particles and excellent dispersion are also disclosed. While suitable for use in a wide variety of fields, examples may include for the coating of paper cups, and as a capsule material for sustained release fertilizer.