Agar

Agar (also called agar-agar, or kanten in Japan) is derived from any of several species of red seaweed (Gracilaria or Gelidium, for example). Asian cultures have used agar for centuries. Today it is harvested worldwide and commonly sold in the United States as dry powder or as strands (Figure 12.2). While strands require soaking and several minutes of boiling in water to dissolve, agar powder dissolves in hot water in about a minute. Both strands and powder gel quickly as they cool, much more quickly than gelatin.