Agar agar, powder

Scientific Name: Gelidium amansii
Rhodophyceae Family: N.O. Algae

AKA: Agar-Agar, Kanten (in Japanese - means cold weather), Japanese Isinglass
Parts Used: Seaweed extracted from boiling the seaweed and drying the mucilage
Active Compounds: Contains a powerful gelatinizing agent called glose, a carbohydrate. It contains polysaccharides such as agarose and agaropectin, which is muciliginous, meaning it's slippery when taken internally, coating your insides.

Background: Agar has commonly been used as a thicken agent in meals, due to its gelatin qualities. Modern scientists are using it for scientific research to aid in the growth of organisms in petri dishes.

Its Japanese moniker relates to the fact that the seaweed used to be harvested in winter months, since the seaweed must be frozen and then thawed in order to manufacture it.

Applications: Food Agent/Nutrition - Medicinal

Nutrition: In the East, Agar is traditionally used in meal preparation for soups and jellies because it acts as a thickening agent.

Constipation: Agar is used as a bulk laxative because it absorbs water in the intestines and swells, resulting in increased bowel activity and elimination of waste.

Description:
This seaweed, of the species Sphaerococcus Euchema and Gelidium, is gathered off of the Pacific coast and the coast of South Africa in summer and autumn months, where it grows at 100 feet below sea level at lengths of up to 3 feet. It has spherical fruit that appears in late fall and winter.

It is then sent to China for processing to be boiled in sulphuric acid. Japanese Isinglass, which is brownish-white and thorny, is the most sought-after variety, since it contains larger numbers of mucilage.

Once the seaweed has been harvested, it is laid out along the shore to get bleached and dried. Then it's boiled in water so that the mucilage can be strained and filtrated after which it will harden as it dries again in the sun. Although it is initially gathered in summer and fall, the final processing takes place from November to February.

After processing, you can purchase it in various forms. It will either be in clear pieces 2 feet long, similar to a straw after being prepared in Singapore using hot water treatments, or it will come in yellow white bulks that are 1 inch wide and 1 foot long. Approximately 6,500 tons of seaweed are harvested for Agar each year.

Dosage:
Agar is usually taken in small doses of 1/2 to 1 ounce of shredded agar and can be mixed with fruit or milk to help in the consumption process.

If used as a gelatin, mix 1 ounce Agar with a pint of boiling water for jelly that can be flavored with lemon extract.

Safety:
Do not use in powder form as it may cause irritation.

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Mustard

For educational purposes only
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.