Agar agar: just take a look around social networks to immediately realize how much it has become one of the emerging products used in the kitchen. Popular among the food influencers and it is carving out an important space for itself among those who love to eat vegetarian or vegan dishes without giving up more traditional recipes.

What is agar agar

Agar agar is a product completely vegetal which is obtained from the processing and subsequent drying of algae red. Very famous in Japan, where it is called Kanten, it is a natural gelling agent which can be used in the preparation of jellies and desserts, especially to replace the gelatine.

Among its characteristics, in fact, there is an incredible ability to absorb liquids as soon as it comes into contact with them: it is therefore ideal for preparing jellies for cakes and completely vegetable desserts and puddings. It can be found on sale in all specialized shops and in the most well-stocked supermarkets and is completely odorlesstasteless and colorless so it does not modify the natural flavour of foods. Not only, agar agar it is also calorie-free and therefore suitable for low-calorie diets.

How to use agar agar in cooking

Agar agar can be found on the market in different formats: barsflakes or more commonly in dust.
To use agar agar in the kitchen there is an important parameter to keep in mind: for 1 liter of liquid you will need approximately 4/5 g of product in powder. Furthermore, unlike isinglass gelatin, agar agar melts at temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees and becomes jelly at a temperature of 35-40 degreesthe. When using it in recipes it is good to remember that a teaspoon of agar agar corresponds to approximately eight sheets of isinglass. Finally, to obtain the maximum effect, it is best to use it within six months from opening the package.

Agar agar: recipes in which it can be used

Being a completely natural and highly performing solidifier, agar agar as mentioned can be used for replace the isinglass or other types of thickeners in pudding, panna cotta, cream, cheesecake, cake and dessert recipes.

Let’s find out how to use agar agar