Q&A for How to Use Agar Agar

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Where can I buy agar from?

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Agar can be purchased from many health food stores and from health food sections in some supermarkets. You may also be able to obtain it from Asian grocery suppliers and it can be purchased online from food retailers, especially those selling vegan, vegetarian and Asian foods.

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Does agar have a flavor?

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Agar does not impart a flavor to the dishes or recipes you add it to. It is also color-free (transparent) and odor-free.

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Is agar better than gelatin?

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It is not so much about being better than being a different type of setting agent. For starters, agar tends to set more firmly than gelatin, meaning that they have different uses and texture outcomes. Agar is a lot stronger than gelatin too, so you need to use a lot less. If you're vegetarian or vegan, then gelatin is not appropriate and you'll need to use agar instead. Each one requires practice to use well, and you may find you prefer the usage and/or texture of one over the other or be quite happy to use both for different dishes, especially since agar can set without refrigeration.

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Is agar good for you?

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Agar is healthy in small amounts. It has a high level of calcium and iron and a small amount of iodine. It can help reduce inflammation and can contribute to good digestion, as well as soothing digestive pain and can help you to feel full. Agar can be used as a laxative.

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Question

How do I make vegan agar agar?

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Luckily, agar agar is already vegan as it's derived from seaweed.

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Can agar agar powder be added into foods that are never cooked? I am curious if agar agar can be used to add fiber, but without cooking (such as in tuna salad, for example).

Community Answer

This is not really a good idea as it will swell in your digestive track. It's better to just make plain agar agar cubes and add those instead.

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Does agar powder need to be refrigerated until use, or can it be kept on a shelf?

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Agar powder can be kept on a shelf at room temperature. This is how it is stocked in the market.

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Question

How do I use agar agar on my baby?

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You do not use it on a baby.

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Can I use agar agar during the preparation for a colonoscopy?

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You could use it for a basic cleanse, but a colonoscopy calls for perfectly clean bowels. Agar agar won't have as desirable outcome as what your doctor will provide you with.

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Can agar agar be used in ice cream?

Community Answer

Yes. Gelatin or agar agar will provide the same result, but the agar is usually used in vegan ice cream.

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Will agar get hydrated if I disperse it in normal temperature water and keep it overnight?

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Agar powder does not require it to be hydrated before use. Other forms of agar require some kind of heat to be applied before use.

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Question

Can I use agar agar as a substitute for coconut?

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Yes, you should be able to replace the coconut with agar agar.

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Question

How do I know how much to use when replacing a recipe that calls for gelatin?

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A teaspoon of agar powder is equal to about eight teaspoons of gelatin powder.

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Is it possible to make a type of marshmallow with agar powder as a substitute for the gelatin?

Community Answer

Agar is a type of gelatin, so in theory, yes. I cannot guarantee it will work, but theoretically it should.

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Can agar powder be used in the production of sausages?

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Yes, it can be.

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Question

Does agar agar help bones?

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Yes, agar agar can help strengthen your bones.

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Question

How do I use agar agar to make vegan gummy bears?

Community Answer

You can use 1 cup of your choice of fruit juice (see acidity cautions above) to 1 tsp of agar agar powder. Boil mixture for about 5 minutes then pour into molds and leave set at room temperature for an hour or more to cool depending on the size of the mold.

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