Agar-agar
Popularity 10 recipes

Used in multiple popular recipes

Ingredient Information

Name

Agar-agar

Category

Especias y Hierbas

Popularity

10 recipes

Status

Inactive

Description

Agar-agar is a natural derivative of seaweed used as a gelling and thickening agent in multiple recipes, especially in desserts, jellies, jams, and vegan or vegetarian dishes where animal gelatin is to be substituted. It is primarily obtained from red algae of the Gelidium and Gracilaria genera, very common in coastal regions of Asia, particularly Japan, Korea, and the Philippines, although its use has spread worldwide.

Agar-agar is valued not only for its ability to form firm gels at low temperatures but also for being indigestible to the human body, which makes it a source of dietary fiber with benefits for digestion and weight control. Furthermore, it is low in calories, gluten-free, and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

In different Spanish-speaking countries, agar-agar is also known as “seaweed gelatin”, “vegetable gelatin”, or simply “agar”. It is available in powder, strands, or sheets, and it is essential to follow the usage instructions to achieve the desired texture in each preparation.

Nutritional Properties

80g
fiber
85mg
sodium
200mg
calcium
10mcg
folate
0g
fats
8mg
iron
85mg
potassium
26
calories
0mcg
lycopene
165mg
magnesium
0g
proteins
0mg
vitamin c
0g
carbohydrates

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