A furfural derivative having the chemical formula (1) where R represents hydrogen, an alkyl group or an acyl group, is prepared in a process, which process includes reacting a fructose- and/or glucose-containing starting material with a liquid hydroxyl group-containing compound of formula R—OH in the presence of an acid catalyst at a reaction temperature in the range of 150 to 300° C. to produce a primary acid reaction mixture including the furfural derivative of chemical formula (1); separating part of the liquid hydroxyl group-containing compound from the primary acid reaction mixture to yield a secondary acid reaction mixture; neutralizing the secondary acid reaction mixture to a pH-value of at least 3 to obtain a neutralized reaction mixture; and purifying the neutralized reaction mixture to recover the furfural derivative of chemical formula (1).