Eating in China
Carrageenan

Carrageenan

卡拉胶Kǎlā jiāo

A red-seaweed-derived ingredient used to thicken or gel foods.

Type
Food additives

A CLOSER LOOK

How to recognize it

Food-grade carrageenan, INS407, is a pale powder extracted from certain red seaweeds; it is not animal gelatin.

In the kitchen

Helps structure sweets and other foods; it is declared in Nanguo coconut candy.

Different carrageenan types thicken or gel differently. Commercial preparations may contain standardizing sugars or salts; check their full formulation. Powder appearance alone cannot identify it.

Ask about this ingredient

这道菜里有卡拉胶吗?

Does this dish contain Carrageenan?

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