Description
Agar‑agar is a seaweed‑derived polysaccharide used as a plant‑based gelatin substitute.
Technical
When heated to 90–100 °C, agar‑agar dissolves and, upon cooling to 35–40 °C, its linear agarose chains form double helices that aggregate into a rigid three‑dimensional network. The gel strength is modulated by concentration, pH, sugar, and salt levels, which affect hydrogen‑bonding and helix stability. Over‑cooking can cause excessive cross‑linking, yielding a hard, less elastic gel.
Science
Primary Reaction
Thermal gelation via hydrogen‑bonded double‑helix formation of agarose chains
Sensory Profile
Aroma ()
neutralmarinesubtlecleanmineral-like
Origin & History
Civilization
Japanese, Chinese, Korean
Era
19th century