What You Need to Know
Agar, a polysaccharide from red algae, forms a thermo-reversible gel when dissolved in hot water (85°C+) and cooled below 40°C. The gel structure results from hydrogen bonding between agarose helices.
Produces stable spheres that maintain shape at high temperatures, unlike alginate spherification.
Key Parameters
Temperature
90°C
85°C - 95°C
Time
5 minutes hydration, 10 minutes setting
2 minutes hydration - 30 minutes setting
Equipment
Syringe/dropperCold oil bathThermometer
Steps
- 1.
Hot consommé pearls (Modernist cuisine): Maintains sphere integrity in hot liquids
The Science
Primary Reaction
Helix aggregation of agarose polymers