Eden Foods Agar Agar Flakes

Description: Eden Agar Agar Flakes are a traditional odorless, tasteless sea vegetable gelatin created by a long, slow process that combines a mixture of red algae sea vegetables of the Gelidium and Gracilaria species. Eden Agar Agar is highly prized as a natural, pure vegetable quality gelatin and a much healthier alternative to commercial animal, chemical gelatins. The eight varieties of wild sea vegetables used in Eden Agar Agar Flakes are hand harvested from pristine temperate water in the autumn then spread out on beaches to naturally sun dry. In the winter the dried plants are transported to the mountains where they are cooked several hours in water to soften them. This thick mixture is poured into trays and allowed to gel  before cutting into bars. The bars are placed outside in snow covered rice fields, on bamboo mats supended from short bamboo frames. During the cold of the night the gelled bars  freeze solid and ice forms on the surface. In the morning when the temperature rises, the ice melts and runs off. The bars are left to repeatedly freeze and thaw for 10 days. After 10 days all of the moisture dissapears resulting in lightweight, off-white bars of agar. The bars are then crushed to produce Eden Agar Flakes. The flakes are easy to use, do not require long soaking and quickly dissolve in hot water or juice. Agar Flakes are the perfect all purpose gelatin. Use in making desserts such as puddings, custards, mousse, jello, preserves, jams and pie fillings. Also use to makea variety of vegetable, bean, noodles and fruit aspics. Fruit Aspics are referred to as 'kanten' in Japanese andmacrobotic cookbooks. Summary: Agar Agar Flakes are a traditional odorless, tasteless sea vegetable gelatin created by a long, slow process that combines a mixture of red algae sea vegetables of the Gelidium and Gracilaria species. Agar Agar is highly prized as a natural, pure vegetable quality gelatin and a much healthier alternative to commercial animal, chemical gelatins. Directions: Add 4 tablespoons of flakes to 4 cups fruit juice or stock, boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until dissolved, stirring constantly. Transfer to mold or baking dish and add fruits or vegetables and cool until firm. Will set at room temperature or in the fridge in about 45 minutes. Ingredients: seaweed (gelidium and gracilaria).