What Is Vegan Gelatin?
Vegan Gelatin – The traditional process for producing gelatin involves boiling animal tissues and bones until they congeal into a gel-like substance. As such vegan gelatin substitute, many seemingly vegetarian items are rendered non-vegetarian by the inclusion of gelatin in their ingredients. Common examples include marshmallows, yogurt, candies, desserts, and gel capsules.
Although vegetarian replacements cannot perfectly replicate the thickening and gelling properties of gelatin, products such as agar-agar, carrageenan, and vegetable gums provide you with a variety of close alternatives. So if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you can still make these delicious desserts.
There are several ways to make vegan gelatin and you don’t need a degree in chemistry or molecular gastronomy to do it. Here’s how to make vegan gelatin so you can enjoy cruelty-free wiggly-jiggly treats.
How To Make Vegan Gelatin?
Here are three great gelatin alternatives and some tips on using them.
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AGAR – AGAR:
Agar, also known as agar-agar, is a mix of carbohydrates extracted from seaweed, specifically Red Sea algae. Agar-agar has no flavor, odor, or color so it’s helpful as a culinary ingredient. Heat is used to dissolve agar-agar and form vegan gelatin. For smooth results, the agar must dissolve completely and may need to be blended. Once you add the agar-agar to a recipe, it should set at about an hour or so at room temperature no refrigeration necessary.
- What it’s made of: Cooked and pressed algae.
- Where it’s often used: Asian desserts and firm jellies.
- Flavor and texture: Flavorless and has a firmer, less jiggly texture than gelatin.
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Pectin:
Pectin is made from fruit skins and rinds. They are boiled, filtered, and dehydrated into a soft gel. Because it’s made from fruit, it’s often used to thicken jams, jellies, and marmalades.
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Carrageenan:
Carrageenan is a type of dried seaweed extract that can be used in place of gelatin as vegan gelatin. Organic vegan gelatin -Carrageenan is flavorless and it sets foods but less rigidly than gelatin.
- What it’s made of: Dried seaweed, extract called carrageenan is used in some vegan.
- Where it’s often used: Soft jellies, puddings, mousses, ice creams, and dairy products.
- Flavor and texture: Flavorless and sets things more softly than regular gelatin.
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Vegan Jel:
You probably know about xanthan gum from gluten-free baking but it can also thicken smoothies and sauces. Some people have difficulty digesting xanthan gum or avoid it because it is derived from corn. Guar gum is also a vegetable-based gum that acts the same as xanthan gum but seems to be easier to digest.
- What it’s made of: Made of adipic acid, dextrin, calcium phosphate, and potassium citrate.
- Where it’s often used: Anywhere gelatin is used.
- Flavor and texture: Sets softly, melts in the mouth and is by far the closest thing to regular unflavored gelatin that I have found.
Another gelatin alternative commonly present in jellies is Konjak. This yam-like plant is a central component of jelly candies and can be dried and pressed to produce a powder. Well, there you go! Gelatin without any animals needed! Whatever we may need to do, we can always count on plants to give us the answer.
Where to Buy Vegan Gelatin?
Halal gelatin is one of the largest manufacturer of gelatin in Pakistan. They supply gelatin not only in Pakistan but around the globe like Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Germany.
If you are looking for good quality halal gelatin options, then we recommend visiting our Products Page.
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