A new beta-cyclodextrin-SO3H carbonaceous solid acid catalyst was synthesized in an ecofriendly manner and was found efficient for conversion of carbohydrates into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Numbers of different solvents systems were screened for efficient formation of HMF. The results showed that the P-cyclodextrin based-SO3H catalyst resulted in 96% 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) yield from fructose while glucose gave a 47% HMF yield in DMSO in pretty good yields and high selectivity. Polysaccharides such as sucrose and inulin also gave about 85% and 92% yield of HMF. The catalyst was readily recovered and reused for atleast three runs without any significant impact on yields of products. The main advantages of this protocol include practical simplicity, high yields, recyclable catalyst, safety and cheapness of benign solvents. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.