What is meringue powder?
I've got a recipe that asks for meringue powder and I have no idea what it is. So my question is what is meringue powder and what purpose does it serve in recipes?
Best Answer
Meringue powder is a pasteurized egg product - "dried egg whites with stabilizers and anti-clumping agents such as cornstarch".
It is used to stiffen recipes and I think there are two main reasons for using it (as opposed to egg whites):
1) Reduced risk of salmonella
2) Less time/labour/effort used - you don't have to beat the egg whites for a long time to stiffen them
I would guess as well that it would have more consistent results. When making meringues with egg whites you have to be careful not to get any yolk or other fat into the mixture or it won't stiffen properly. There is no real risk of this with meringue powder.
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Quick Answer about "What is meringue powder?"
Meringue powder is made mostly of dried egg whites and can be mixed with water to create a meringue. Cream of tartar is a stabilizer and is sometimes used in making meringue to keep the eggs from collapsing. Some meringue powder already has cream of tartar in it to help in stabilizing meringue.How do you make meringue powder?
Product Information. This versatile meringue powder is a great egg white substitute for making meringues for a tart lemon pie, meringue cookies that don't fall flat and smooth royal icing that dries to a hard, glossy ...What is meringue powder UK?
What is a substitute for meringue powder? The best substitute is fresh, pasteurized egg whites because it has the best foaming capability. However, if you don't want to consume a raw product, it should be avoided. Powdered egg whites work but need to be rehydrated and don't have pre-added sugar or stabilizer.What is a substitute for meringue powder?
Using powdered egg whites as a substitution works well also. Again, this swap provides the same egg taste expected in most dishes, including meringue powder. Egg white powder does not have additional ingredients that meringue powder typically contains, like cornstarch, sugar, and vanilla.What Is Meringue Powder Used For?
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