What is Agar Powder
Agar powder, or better said, agar – agar, is one of the most exciting ingredients on the planet. There’s literally nothing like it. Have you ever heard of it? It’s known as vegetable-based gelatin, and this component has a fascinating story.
We can thank the existence of agar – agar to microbiologists, who found this jelly-like substance in a special red algae. The discovery of agar – agar goes back to ancient Japan, where legend says, “an innkeeper left seaweed extract out in the cold” only to discover a fantastic thickening agent that could solidify similar to gelatin. Here is all about what is Agar powder and everything related to it.
Why is agar – agar important?
Agar – agar is a plant-based thickening agent with a jelly-like (wobbly) structure. This is important because, before agar, the most common gelatinous agent was gelatin, extracted from animals’ hoofs, cartilage, and bones.
It comes without saying that animal-based gelatin has not many fans, especially with vegan and vegetarian communities.
Agar – agar came to change this, offering a fantastic alternative with immense uses in the food industry and our kitchens. A thickener, a gelatinous agent, a great source of fiber and a pretty healthy supplement. This is agar – agar and more. There’s just no substitute for it. If you’ve never heard about agar – agar, you’ll learn all there is about it today.
What is agar – agar exactly?
Agar – agar is a substance extracted from a red algae. It’s actually the component that forms the cellular structure in these plants. When extracted, you get a fine powder that forms a gelatinous texture when in contact with a liquid and heated.
It’s easy to see why this property has many uses to change food texture, but agar is much more than that.
To say agar – agar changed the way we see food would be an understatement; it is an authentic food revolution with unlimited uses in and out of the food industry.
Japan is where the algae compound was discovered, and it’s still an important agar producer, but you can now find agar – agar everywhere in the world.
How to cook with agar – agar?
You can thicken soups with agar – agar, and you can also make vegan ice cream. Non-animal gelatin is widely used in desserts, and it has many uses in the food industry as a clarifying agent when making beer, for example.
This is an all-natural product, so there are little-to-non health risks related to it, although too much of it might upset your stomach, so keep that in mind.
Where traditional gelatin fails, agar – agar succeeds. It has a higher melting point compared to animal gelatin, so you can create astounding dishes that otherwise would be impossible.
Gummy bears, mousse, jelly, puddings, and candy, you name it! Agar – agar can do everything gelatin does and much more; you can even bake with it.
Agar – agar nutritional value
Agar – agar might not be the most nutritious ingredient on earth, since it’s a single, concentrated compound that gives structure to algae, but our bodies can still benefit from it’s consumption.
- Agar – agar is 80% dietary fiber, which has a meaningful impact on your digestive system. In large concentrations, it’s sometimes used as a laxative, but in adequate amounts, it’s super healthy.
- Agar can keep you satisfied, and since it adds little to no calories to your diet, it is very efficient in weight-loss programs. It also stimulates your gut bacteria and favors an appropriate vowel movement.
- Agar can even lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol in the arteries. That’s what dietary fiber does when it enters our bloodstream through our intestines.
- As for nutrition, the red algae extract adds moderate amounts of calcium, folate, iron, and manganese to your diet.
Experiment with agar – agar
Tradition and science have brought this extraordinary ingredient to us; now it’s your turn to make it yours.
Experiment cooking with agar – agar, thicken your soups and broths, make yourself an animal-friendly Jell-O, make vegan gummy bears, and much more.
Agar – agar is also a great supplement if you have digestive issues, so reasons to use this amazing ingredient abound. Agar – agar is sustainable, eco-friendly, vegan, well-priced and widely available. What’s not to love?
Add agar – agar to your recipes a little at a time and find your sweet spot. Trust us; few ingredients can change your cooking as much as this unexpected red algae. Add some science to your cooking. Be sure to checkout our curated spice shop to find a good quality of agar-agar.
Highly Rated – Social Media Chatter on Agar Agar
New 🌀class is up at thekitchensocietysg !
Gula melaka agar agar lumut, sour cream marble cake, cinnamon raisin swirl loaf, hojicha Viennese whirls.
😵💫🤪
Hello, do try this Lychee Agar-agar Jelly for Chinese New Year Dessert. Look bright and pretty, simple to make and tasty! I used fresh lychee but you can use canned lychee for this recipe.
✨ Full recipe on:
1. YouTube channel “Ruyi Jelly” then search for “Lychee Agar-agar Jelly Recipe”
2.. or click on the link in my profile/bio ruyijelly then search for “Lychee Agar-agar Jelly Recipe”
#ruyijelly #燕菜 #feedfeed #tasty #dessert #ruyiasianrecipes #desserts #asiandessert #agar #agaragar #foodie #果冻 #dessertrecipe #buzzfeedfood #buzzfeedtasty #jelly #nomnom #agaragarcake #agaragarrecipes #chinesenewyearrecipe #chinesenewyeardessert #cny #cny2024
Sesuai dijadikan manisan diwaktu senggang. Anak-anak pasti ulang makan. Jom semak resipi dan buat untuk si kecil anda hari ini.
BAHAN-BAHAN:
1 peket agar-agar tali (25gm)
4 cawan besar air (rujuk saiz cawan dalam gambar)
1 tin susu pekat manis
1 tin susu cair
1 cawan Milo
1 cawan air panas (untuk larutkan Milo)
Secubit garam halus
CARA PENYEDIAAN:
1.Satukan agar-agar dan air dalam periuk. Masak hingga agar-agar larut.
2. Kemudian masukkan susu pekat manis, susu cair, bancuhan milo dan garam. Sebatikan.
3. Bila semua bahan sudah larut, bercampur sempurna dan mendidih, padamkan api.
4. Tuang bancuhan agar-agar ke dalam loyang yang bersesuaian. Biarkan sejuk sedikit sebelum dimasukkan ke dalam peti sejuk. Biarkan mengental.
5. Bila agar-agar sudah mengeras sepenuhnya, bolehlah dipotong dan dinikmati.
Kredit resipi & foto: Ina Anizaina
#majalahrasa #rasashare #resepi #resipi #agaragar #milosusu #resipimudah
Sources:
- https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agar-agar
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-agar-agar-p2-1000960
- https://www.nowfoods.com/natural-foods/agar-powder
Oh WOW! I never knew a vegan based gelatine existed until today! I’ve always wanted a suitable substitute for animal gelatine and now finally thanks to this article I have found my match! I have heard of agar but never knew what it actually was, well at least now I know!
I love ice cream so can’t wait to try this!
So happy that we were able to help Sariyah.