NOW Foods, Agar Pure Powder, Vegetarian Substitute for Gelatin, Gluten-free, Kosher, 5-Ounce

Completely tasteless, which is good! Now, this is a "vegetarian gelatine" substitute, but, let's be honest. It costs more than gelatine. It cannot replace gelatine. It uses alge, which is plant life, from the sea, and is therefore in no way vegan- which is good! Vegan diets are dangerous, especially for those who cannot obtain B- vitamins from vegetable sources, which is me, and nearly every woman on the planet.All that aside, this is not so much a gelatine replacement as it is a different gelling agent, and that is a incredible bonus in your dietary repertoire. This sets more firmly, and it stays set, even at room temperature. That allows you to provide pretty fancies at a gathering, without needing to keep it chilled. A lot of people become too concerned about safe food temperature, but that is not my concern. Very seriously, if it isn't spoiled, shut up and eat what you are served. Or, don't eat. I'm entirely too delighted by the ability to serve firm, chewy gummy candy to care about someone's obsessive dietary woes.For many years, I used lots of gelatine, very little liquid, and left my gummies out to dry. I don't need to do that now.What is incredible is that you can use this agar powder AND gelatine to make a double textured confection. This delights my daughter, who thinks it is so fun.Take 1/2 tsp of gelatine and 1/2 cup juice, any kind you likeTake also 1/2 tsp agar powder and 1/2 cup juiceIn a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatine over the juice. Let sit for five minutes. Warm in microwave (5-10 seconds, it needs to be body temperature, no more) Stir, and let chill while you do the next step. Sprinkle the agar powder over the juice in a small saucepan. Simmer for five minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to body temperature. Pour over thickened gelatine, and return to chill, until both are solid. Turn out on service plate. Recipe makes one portion.This is a wonderful twist on that fabulous gelatine mould. The difference in texture allows you to explore the culinary differences when you are testing and creating meals. Variety is necessary, and, we tried this as an educational lesson. Home economics is a serious skill, and this is an inexpensive, tasty lesson in gelatine experience. It also allows you to incorporate different foods into your diet, which is a sadly lacking feature today, which is yet another lesson, that of nutrition...

I bought this to make a few items that called for unflavored jello but needed the item to be vegan. Worked great as a replacement! Will buy again

I make homemade gummy vitamins for my kiddo.. always a hassle looking for pork free vitamins. This makes it so much more simpler.

Okay as a vegan substitute for gelatin. It maintains the shape but doesn't provide a bouncy, jelly-like texture.

I have yet to use this in recipes, but I understand it is often used to replace gelatin.I'm diabetic, and if I decide to eat something a diabetic normally shouldn't be eating, I'll swallow a spoonful of this stuff first, and wash it down with water, to prevent the next thing I eat from spiking my blood sugar.Anyone who wants to do likewise should be aware that this can be dangerous if you don't drink enough water, because the product can solidify in the colon, which might necessitate surgery. One teaspoon of agar with 12 ounces of water seems to work for me.I did not rate the flavor, because this product is not supposed to have a flavor. If it does have a flavor, that probably means it's contaminated.

The media could not be loaded. Definitely preferred over gelatin!

I use this to make vegan cheese. It works perfectly and I e had absolutely no issues when I use it. You can't taste it and it really firms up the cheese! I will be buying more!