Agar Agar Power

Agar Agar Power

Agar agar literally means Cold Heaven and is a gelatinous substance that is comes from the cell walls of the red seaweeds Tengusa (Gelidiaceae) or Ogonori (Gracilaria). It is often used as an alternative to animal dirived gelatine.

As  Agar agar is low in calories, carbohydrates, fats, and sugar, it is an ideal addition to any weight loss plan. Agar agar is also an appetite suppressant as it consists of water-soluble, indigestible fibre.  The fiber absorbs water giving a feeling of fullness and making  it easier for people to lower their food intake. Agar agar also absorbs glucose in the stomach and passes it quickly through the digestive system. This helps to stabilise blood sugar and block the storage of fat

The Kanten diet in Japan is used by women who want to maintain or lose weight. They simply add a teaspoon of the agar agar powder to tea or hot water and have it before every meal.

The soluble fibre in Agar agar also absorbs toxins from the gastrointestinal tract and moves the waste easily out of the body. It is often used as a remedy for constipation as the fibre in Agar Agar forms bulk by absorbing the water in the gut. This acts as a healthy and natural laxative.

Agar agar contains both calcium and magnesium and the combination is excellent for increasing bone density and for bone health in general.

Agar agar also contains galactose which is commonly known as “brain sugar”. Galactose could play a vital part in removing neurotoxic compounds from the brain in patients that suffer from Alzheimer's disease”.

Fresh berry aspic with agar agar

Agar agar often replaces gelatin in cooking. It can be used to make healthy and delicious jellies, mousses, ice cream, jams and to thicken soups and stews. Agar agar comes in bars, flakes or powder form. A special infusion for constipation consists of agar agar disolved in boiling water and sweetened with rice syrup.

Here is the Recipe for Agar tea

 Place a little more than 1 cup of spring water in a saucepan and bring to the boil.

Add a tablespoon of Agar-agar flakes or one teaspoon of Agar-agar powder.

 Simmer on a low flame and stir continuously until the flakes have melted 

and the liquid becomes clear.

Add a tablespoon of rice syrup and drink warm.

Good for

Constipation

Bloating and gas

Weight management

Relaxing and cooling for the body

Grain Coffee Mousse using agar agar

I highly recommend everyone have agar agar in their kitchens and have a go at adding it to simple mousses, puddings, and savory aspics. You will love the results.

Enjoy 

Love Melanie xx