The present invention is a method of producing porous beads, which comprises the steps of providing a first liquid phase comprising a bead matrix material and essentially edgy templating particle(s), said particle(s) being treated with a surface modifying agent; providing a second liquid phase which is immiscible with the first liquid phase; contacting the first phase and the second phase under conditions resulting in an emulsion of droplets comprised of the first liquid phase dispersed in the continuous second liquid phase; transforming the droplets to mesoporous beads by solidification of the liquid; and removing the templating particle(s) from the beads without causing any essential change of the surrounding bead, whereby hierarchical networks of pores are provided in the beads.