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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Agar Agar & Neat Things!

Agar Agar Jello

Agar Agar is an algae product valued for its ability to act a bit like gelatin-maybe more than a bit! In fact, one can make the most wobbly of neat gelatin like treats or even somewhat hard gelatin like chews depending on the amount of agar agar used. These chews, as I call them, can be made into different shapes and colors and thrown to the bottom of glasses of iced soy milk for fun's sake...

As you might have already imagined, agar agar is valued by vegans and vegetarians alike. And I have to say that I've even noticed meat eating folks show a lot of enthusiasm towards this product! A lot of people just don't like the idea of gelatin, hooves, and such (smile).

Positives aside, there are two major downfalls to agar agar. First, the price is usually outrageous. Indeed, I just noticed a 1 oz. package of agar agar flakes for $7.49 at my local health food store. Only 1 oz.! Well, I think I've found a solution to this. Maybe. See, I went to my local Asian foods store and found packs of Telephone Brand Agar Agar Powder that were almost 1 oz. packs being sold for a $1.49 each. Powder means more agar agar in comparison to flakes, as recipes that call for 1 tsp. of powder will tell you to double this amount if you have flakes. So I got almost double the amount of product at the Asian store for $6 less!



















The second downfall relates to recipe reliability, as recipes for agar agar are difficult to write. This may sounds strange to someone that has never used the product, however, my experience is that I get different results for the same recipe when I use different brands. Hence the recipe below is for Telephone Brand Agar Agar powder. You are more than welcome to try it with a different brand, but I just can't guarantee results! Also, this is kind of a base recipe. If you try it and feel it needs to be more wobbly to meet your taste, just make it with 1/4 teaspoon less agar agar the second time around and so on, etc...

Basic Agar Agar Jello
2 1/2 Cups of Organic Juice (Your Favorite)*
1 Tsp. Telephone Brand Agar Agar Powder
1-2 Tbsp. Agave Syrup (Optional)**
Berries or Cut Fruit

*I used Pom Wonderful Pomegranate Nectarine juice (1 Cup) to get this nice color in combination with a lighter juice.
*I did not use agave, but feel free to add a bit if you are using a very tart juice blend.

Place 1 Cup of juice in a very clean sauté pan with the agar powder and stir. Allow this to sit for about 5 minutes to dissolve. Then turn the heat on and bring the mixture to a boil. Allow to boil for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture into a large measuring cup. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of juice and stir. If you are using a tart juice, also add the agave and stir. Pour into your favorite dessert dishes or shot glasses and allow to cool for 10 minutes on the counter. Transfer to the fridge and allow to set up for at least 30-40 minutes.

Enjoy!




















Oh, and in reference to Asian Foods Stores, they are usually a treasure trove of amazing foods. I've also never been to one that wasn't a help to my pocket book ;) So, if you have one nearby, you may want to get familiar if you're not already...
p.s. Yes, you can make vegan alcoholic jello shots with this recipe. Just sub in some rum or tequila, etc. for some of the 1 1/2 cups of juice that is not boiled. And you may definitely want to use the agave as a simple syrup to ensure good flavor!

67 comments:

  1. Oh yes, I was gonna say when I read that you almost paid $7 for agar agar. I also buy mine at an asian market..I found that other things too, like kelp, is much more cheaper there than at Whole Foods, for example.
    And I agree with you, different brands, different quantities needed. I love Pom and a jello version of it would be delicious! I love the color too!

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  2. Good information on agar agar. I've bought flakes before and ground them into a powder as most recipes call for powder and particularly the molecular gastronomy ones for which I've used the agar agar. I'm almost out of it and will definitely follow your advice to visit the local Asian store to get some more.

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  3. YUM! I love making homemade jelly desserts. Kinda like a kid again,except with better ingredients. I just made some myself, but think I'll give Agar Agar a try next time with you help.

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  4. Hi
    Great information, I must say that I have never used the product before.
    I`ll have to look for it, really loved your jelly but I`ll have to bear in mind that the results will depend on the brand and quantities used.
    Wishing you a great week ♥

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  5. Hi Stella!

    Holy moley! I didn't know agar agar flakes were so expensive! I was just recently introduced to agar agar by Ms. Brûlée over at The Brulee blog. She brought her Pandan agar agar to Valerie's blogger/taste tripping party and I loved them so much I tried them out (yet to blog about it). I'll drop by again later tonight to give you the link as I'm reading this on my phone and can't copy and paste for some reason (yes, I'm tres lazy like that). I love the simplicity of this recipe and the colour! Oh the colour is beautiful! I think that's even the same brand of agar agar I buy too. Thanks for sharing this Stella, you know how I love my desserts! Beautiful pictures as usual my friend! Be back tonight with the link. Ta ta for now. Hope you're enjoying your day.

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  6. ooh thanks for experimenting and naming a brand from the asian store, there are so many and very little information (in english) that can help. Thanks

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  7. The Asian stores in my area are so kind, price-wise. Sometimes you can't be sure of the quality of a product because you've never heard of the brand or something like that, but I just went a new one that's a bit further than the one I usually go to (interestingly enough, they're actually relatively close together) and it had so many interesting products that I'd either never heard of or had only read about, and all for very cheap. I must find a recipe calling for banana flowers because now that I know where to find them, I want to try one. ;)

    Thank you for the recipe! It's good to know Jello-type treats aren't completely off limits when one doesn't eat junk food. :P

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  8. Lovely pictures and recipe Stella. I have an adopted sister who is Burmese and she makes the most amazing coconut jelly squares out of agar agar, coconut milk and young coconut meat. I've never tasted them but everyone else just scarfs them up like crazy. I don't use agar agar...but then I don't use gelatin either. I need to look up some info on agar agar..I actually thought it came from seaweed (which I am terrified to eat because of my iodine allergy)

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  9. Wow that's expensive for such a small amount, glad you found the other brand. I hate gelatin and have been wondering about agar agar. Thank you for the tips, very informative. Recipe looks yummy too!

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  10. Why hello Stella! Long time no see :) Sorry I've been so busy but I managed to put away a bit of time to check on my fave food bloggers! I love this stuff! My mum uses it alot when it comes to making filipino jelly desserts. You know I've never worked with gelatin or agar agar before? I guess I've always had this fear that it wouldn't set if I did it lol.

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  11. I'm with you on not feeling the hooves thing! Beautiful color Stella, these really are beautiful and I think they're fun too:-)

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  12. How I always discover magical things at your site Stella! This looks like a refreshing potion!

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  13. Hi Stella,
    my mum's been cooking with agar-agar for a long time. I remember once she made this awesome dessert. I brought it to school and a kid asked "What's that?" I said it's a dessert like jell-o made with agar-agar. He said "Gross!" then I felt embarassed. That's the power of children. But yours looks lovely and I like how you sweetened with juice! go girl! xoxo

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  14. Hi, Stella. I hope all is well with you, down in FLA.

    I was just talking to two friends about agar-agar over tea this afternoon, having discussed my latest post on Jell-o from Jessie. This must be some sort of cosmic signal to use agar again....

    Thanks,

    Dan

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  15. What fun! You always introduce us to such unique ingredients. I'll definitely look for this on my next trip to the Asian market!

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  16. hey Stella,

    ok back as i promised with the agar agar link.
    http://bruleeblog.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/pandan-agar-agar-recipe/
    check it out, i think you might actually like it. oh and thank you so much for your advice on my back. you're always so caring and helpful.

    xoxo
    LeQuanis (wink)

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  17. I love the slightly opaque look that agar gives (though, I've never actually made anything with agar). Herbal grass jelly is my favourite summer drink - you slurp through a straw, then embarrass yourself by tipping your head back to get the last bits of jelly from the can, then choke as a bit goes down the wrong way. Oh, that's just me...?

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  18. Stella...I'm thrilled that you researched this subject. I've been curious about a proper gelatin substitute for a while...and yet haven't had the chance to experiment with it.

    I love the way we've all been doing our part to further our education on better alternatives.
    Let's all keep up the fantastic work!

    {Grazie tanto} for the info and the recipe ;o)
    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  19. I've heard you can use agar agar to make vegan marshmallows, but I've always been hesitant because of the price. Thank you for this tip about the Asian store...and about working with this in general. Hey, the recipe looks pretty good as well.

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  20. This looks very refreshing and delicious. I agree that the price of agar agar powder is outrageous. But worse, I can't get it here. So, I go for agar agar strands which are a lot cheaper.

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  21. $7.49 for a 1oz pack is definitely outrageous!! I paid only $2.49 for a 3oz pack at the Asian grocery store. Do check other Asian grocery stores in your area for the real stuff.

    I do agree that agar-agar can be tricky but once you get the hang of it, you can make a nice and quick dessert. Adding fruit juice is a great idea and I like how you added berries in it too. It looks very pretty!

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  22. Oh, I love the Asian grocery stores! Thanks for the warning about different brands of agar agar. I bought my first bottle a few months ago to try it out and haven't used it more than once. I want to experiment some more with it (when I get the time)! My agar agar isn't Telephone Brand, so I wonder how it would work in this recipe...

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  23. I always thot agar agar was a Malay word (which I grew up learning) and people elsewhere would just call it jelly or jello. Honestly the price is outrageous. In Malaysia I think agar agar in powder or strands probably cost less than $1 USD

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  24. Love the Asian market for bargains. I also have good luck with my local Indian grocery store inexpensive spices, especially saffron.

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  25. Great info on agar agar, Stella. As a Korean, I can't live without my Asian market in Savannah! :)

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  26. I prefer agar agar to gelatin. The jelly tastes more elastic. I have plenty of them (not the powder, but more hair-like) in the pantry, really have to use them before they expire.

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  27. Agar-agar is very useful and versatile! Lovely jellos!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  28. How cool! I've never used agar agar but I love me some jello (and can't use gelatin because I don't use pork). I wonder if it'd work in a panna cotta?

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  29. Great pictures! I've heard of agar agar, and it's a shame it's so expensive.

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  30. Great post on agar agar Stella. I have found a huge amount of seriously cheap as chips products at Asian Food Stores too; I've recently started experimenting with never before heard of products because I think it sounds like brand name something or other..... :)
    Love it when someone does research like this....
    Cheers Anna

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  31. Whoa, expensive! Looks like a fun product though. I'd never heard of it until your post. Thanks for all the info :)

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  32. I've heard positive things about agar agar from vegans, vegetarians, and omnis alike! I love your idea for tequila agar jello shots. NOW we're talking :P

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  33. Telephone Brand! lol....so funny!

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  34. The brand name of this agar agar makes me smile. What a great savings! Your jello is gorgeous, I love the color. Wouldn't it be funny if we had to say everything twice like we do with agar agar. agave agave...tofu tofu... ;D

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  35. I almost fell outta my chair when I read how much the agar-agar cost at the health food shop!!! It's so CHEAP here in Asia! YAY for Asian supermarkets and grocers ;)

    I've loved it since I was a kid and was always fascinated by how it managed to remain solid, once set, even out of the fridge!!

    Your shots love gorgeous - love the berries bobbing in them. Makes me want to dig right in with a spoon!!!

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  36. Congratulations on Foodbuzz top 9 Stella!

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  37. Ugh. The email subcription is very delay!
    Congrats on the top 9! Thanks for the info on saving a big buck on the gelatin! Guess that the one you bought (on the picture) it's Thai brand!!! haha I could read it. That's hilarious.

    The jello looks so good and the color is just appetizing!

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  38. Congrats on Top 9 :) And nice shopping there girl:) These do look wonderful!

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  39. top nine!!! yeah!!
    I have never tried agar, but trust in your cooking skilla to give it a shot, jeelo shots, oh my...me want!! have fun with your mom...hugs

    sweetlife

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  40. I love agar agar jelly because I grew up eating them in Malaysia. Yours look so nicely done!

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  41. I have been wondering about agar, thanks for such a great post with lots of information....I do have to pay a visit to one of our Asian supermarkets, we are blessed with two huge stores in our area! I like the idea of vegan Jello shots, it might be fun to get a vegan blitzed!!

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  42. I never thought about agar-agar until I read this post. Your vegan jello looks really nice. No doubt I would enjoy this treat too.

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  44. I really had no idea what agar agar was until now. I love how adventurous you are Stella...I always learn something new when I visit your blog!

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  45. I totally agree with you about Asian food stores. I LOVE going to my local H-Mart. I could shop there all day. Funny, I have never worked with gelatin or agar-agar, but I would definitely go the agar route, as hooves aren't a huge draw for me either!

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  46. I have a packet of agar agar in the pantry and love the idea of real fruit jello since it's so refreshing on a hot day and I have a bag o berries from the farmers market today. Between that and your last sugar post, you are really making my brain work overtime thinking about me and my sugar... I do have a sweet tooth but never touch sodas... do love honey though!!! Thanks for all the great info and love the continuing thread of the witchy ribbon!

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  47. Dear Stella - I LOVE agar agar and this is such a great way to make a quick healthful mousse.

    The pics with the flowing ribbon is GORGEOUS! :)

    Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

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  48. Wow that a price differential! My mom used to make coconut jello with agar agar when we were growing up. I'm glad that you shared about the telephone brand, it makes this treat a much better deal.

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  49. Hey, Stella! In response to your question (which I also posted in my comments section in case anyone else wanted to know the answer): I think that stevia would work instead of agave in the sorbet, because of how little I used. It barely affected the viscosity of it because there was so little liquid being added, so I'm sure stevia, any form of it, would work. Even just one of those packets would probably work! The main goal was to get it just slightly sweeter than the fruit, but not so much that I felt like I was eating pure sugar. ;)

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  50. That's actually the brand of agar agar I use too. :)

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  51. I've been looking for some agar-agar for a while now. I would love to try it in panna cotta. And your jello looks beautiful!

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  52. Eh? Surprisingly you know the word of "agar-agar". It's a Malay word.

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  53. what great info, my brother will really appreciate this he buys this all the time....love the picture wow spectacular shot here!

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  54. I've actually known what agar-agar is since I was like 5 years old...we were fed agar-agar jellies in kindergarten! :-)

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  55. I've still yet to try making agar agar treats! I don't know what I'm waiting for. Maybe the difference in brands is because they use different amounts of fillers? Or quality of the agar agar?

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  56. What a great idea! I have some agar agar, and have yet to use it - but I think I might have to give it a whirl!

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  57. Hi Stella, I have seen Agar agar at "Surfas" (this divine store that sells all sort of baking stuff) here in LA. But I had no clue what to do with it. I must go back there now and get it. because your dessert looks delicious. So velvety.

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  58. Stella, love the information on your post...I have agar agar and will definitely use it...love the photos...awesome!

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  59. I love a good Asian market. Always better prices! Looks delicious and sooo refreshing. Send some over. I'm lying in a heap of heat on the floor with a big preggy belly.

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  60. Stella absolutely lovely dessert! I love it! gloria

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  61. Really good information for me. I was just given some agar agar and a friend made a great Vietnamese dessert with it. I thought it could be used just like gelatin. I am clearly wrong. I had no idea it was such a "sensitive" ingredient.
    Thanks, Stella!
    valerie

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  62. This looks delicious! I will be looking for agar agar!

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  63. These are lovely! I love agar agar!

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  64. Hola, acabo de encontrar tu blog y me parece realmente precioso. Felicitaciones.
    Yo empiezo a experimentar con el agar-agar, pero aún no encuentro la medida, como tu dices, cambia la proporción de una marca a otra y hace mas dificil el uso.

    Besos

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  65. I grew up with agar-agar and didn't know gelatin until I was about at university :)

    I found if I use agar-agar powder from Thailand, I have to reduce the amount from the Indonesian brands since the Indonesians have mixed with vanilla powder.

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  66. Beautiful photos. I've never used agar-agar powder-might have to give it a go!

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