How to make agar less brittle
Is there anyway to make agar less brittle, I have tried using locust bean gum and this did make the agar softer, but it was still quite brittle. Is there something I can add to the agar to get it as close to the properties as normal gelatin (soft, elasticity).
Best Answer
It doesn't seem like you can get a soft, elastic gel using agar, Modernist Cuisine lists an elastic one but classifies it as firm(4-140):
Texture Firmness Gelling Agents Scaling
----------------------------------------------------
Elastic Firm Locust Bean Gum 0.15%
Agar 0.10%
Xanthan Gum 0.20%
Although, they do have an elastic gel in the coating gels section that is classified as tender (4-151):
Texture Firmness Gelling Agents Scaling
----------------------------------------------------
Elastic Tender Sorbitol 3.00%
Agar 0.60%
Xanthan Gum 0.25%
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Quick Answer about "How to make agar less brittle"
However, an agar gel can be made less brittle and given an elastic texture with the addition of sorbitol or glycerol, usually around 1% by the weight of the entire gel being set.How do you make agar agar softer?
If using the strands/flakes, soak it in water for 10 minutes to soften it, then bring to a boil while stirring until it dissolves completely. Add color, flavour, coconut milk or fruit pure\xe9 as the recipe calls. This way, you'll know when the agar has completely dissolved.How do I make my agar more elastic?
How to Make Agar GelsTop. Creating a gel with agar results in a brittle gel. The firmness of the gel will depend on how much agar is used. You can make the gel more elastic by adding locust bean gum or gelatin to the flavored liquid when the agar is added.How do I make my agar jelly firmer?
Unlike gelatin, you can melt the gelled mixture (if you wanted to add another ingredient, pour it into a different mold, add more agar agar to make the gel firmer or add more liquid to soften it), bring it to a boil again, then cool it again without compromising its gelling abilities.Can you remelt agar agar?
Agar sets very quickly, and at room temperature! (You can even remelt it a few times and it will maintain its properties.)Boil your RC Car plastic parts to make it less brittle?
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Answer 2
I've tried adding gelatine, tapioca, corn starch to agar to make it less brittle. None of them work very well until they start to become the major component of the gel. Adding glycerin or sugar syrup is also fruitless.
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