Agar

We use agar as a thickening agent in our No-Bake Mocha Cheesecake. Made from algae, these clear flakes (it also comes in block form) are traditionally used to thicken Japanese jelly desserts. You can find it in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets, and at Japanese grocers it may be called kanten. Get creative with your agar, but don’t use it with citrus, as the acid will prevent it from setting properly.