1. Introduction:
Gellan Gum is a gelling agent developed
specifically for applications where other gelling agents like agar agar and
gelatin are not ideal. There are two types of Gellan Gum: gels made with
Low-Acyl Gellan Gum tend to be brittle and firm, while gels made with High-Acyl
Gellan Gum are flexible and elastic. The two types may be mixed together to form unique
textures. Gellan is well-known for its use in fluid gels and can also be used
for spherification.
2.Gellan Properties
It's important to note here that the sources we used for some of the numbers below were often contradictory on the exact properties of Gellan. This is most likely due to the variability in products that are labeled Gellan and have been specifically engineered for certain properties. Know that your particular use of Gellan may not follow these parameters exactly.
Temperature (High Acyl): Hydrates at 185°F/85°C, Gels from 158-176°F/70-80°C, Melts from 160-167°F/71-75°C
Temperature (Low Acyl): Hydrates between 167-203°F/75-95°C, Gels from 50-122°F/10-50°C, Melts from 176-284°F/80-140°C
The reason the temperatures vary is because the exact temperature will depend on concentration of Gellan used.
Texture: Low-acyl Gellan is generally considered brittle while high-acyl Gellan is more elastic. It is possible to combine the two to create the exact desired texture.
Appearance: High-acyl Gellan is opaque, low-acyl Gellan is clear.
Flavor release: Good, for both varieties.
Mouthfeel: Both have a clean mouthfeel; low-acyl Gellan has been described as "creamy" as well.
Freeze / Thaw stable: High-acyl Gellan is freeze/thaw stable. Low-acyl Gellan is not.
Syneresis (weeping): Generally not.
Shearing: Creates a shear-thinned gel, otherwise known as a fluid gel.
Hysteresis: No.
3. Interactions and Tolerance of Gellan
PH Tolerance: Stable between 3.0 and 10.0 pH.
Other Tolerances: High-acyl Gellan will tolerate up to 50% alcohol.
Synergies with other ingredients: The gelling of low-acyl Gellan is promoted by calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium ions.
4.How to use Gellan
Concentration Range: 0.2-1.0% for most applications. Twice as viscous as Agar at equal concentrations.
Dispersion: Gellan will disperse in cold water, but dispersion is aided by the use of warm to hot water, sugar, alcohol, or glycerin.
Hydration: Happens at around 194°F/90°C. Can be hydrated at low pH, around 3.0 or 4.0, which is unique amongst hydrocolloids.
Setting: Sets rapidly at relatively warm temperatures (see above for exact numbers).
Special uses: Spherification
Low-acyl Gellan can be used instead of sodium alginate for spherification and reverse spherification due to its sensitivity to calcium ions.
Leave A Review