Quality Carrageenan Products
Products with carrageenan dot every aisle of the grocery store. The ingredient has ideal use cases in food, beverages, and personal care items. Carrageenan gum is an incredibly versatile emulsifier and thickening agent that is nature-based and organic-allowed. Source carrageenan from Tilley to meet and exceed consumer expectations with new and delightful products. We are the carrageenan supplier that manufacturers trust for quality ingredients and expert technical support.
Carrageenan Applications: What Is It For?
Carrageenan plays a vital role in food and beverage systems. The right formulation (which our technical team can help you with!) improves gelation and enhances mouthfeel, suspension, and emulsion stability. Non-dairy food and beverage products, in particular, gain superior stabilization from carrageenan because it mimics fat.
Some of the most common foods with carrageenan include:
- Ice cream (dairy and non-dairy)
- Dairy beverages such as chocolate- and fruit-flavored milks
- Coffee creamers
- Evaporated milk and infant formula
- Non-dairy milks/beverages, spreads, dips and processed cheeses
- Gelled confections such as gummies
- Fresh and frozen desserts: fruit fillings, pastry creams, frostings
- Chocolate and caramel sauces
- Puddings
- Plant-based meat
Carrageenan in Meat and Poultry Products
In meat and poultry products such as deli meats, rotisserie chicken, and smoked turkeys, carrageenan can be a successful water binder, texturizer/gelling agent, and flavor carrier.
Types of Carrageenan
Carrageenan is a common food additive derived from red seaweed. It is widely used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in various food products, including dairy alternatives, processed meats, and desserts.
- Alcohol Precipitation
- Gel Press
- KCI Precipitation
- Natural-Grade or
Semi-Refined
Carrageenan Grades: Kappa, Kappa-2, Iota, Lambda
These four grades of carrageenan have unique properties and functions, often in combination with other hydrocolloids.
Kappa and Iota
These two grades of carrageenan are considered thermally reversible gels when combined with potassium and calcium salts, respectively. The introduction of certain proteins, including dairy milk and soy, can also impact the gel structure. Both of these carrageenans require heat activation for full functionality. Kappa carrageenans are synergistic with other types of gum, notably locust bean and tara, and are often combined with these ingredients to form stronger, more flexible gels.
Kappa-2
Typically used for milk gelling and thickening and also requires heat activation. Often used in beverages and dessert applications (i.e. caramel/chocolate sauces).
Lambda
Cold water soluble and generally non-gelling and interacts with calcium ions to give a creamy, fat-mimetic type mouthfeel in dairy and non-dairy applications.
The World’s Trusted Carrageenan Supplier – That’s Tilley
Tilley Distribution offers an expansive catalog of hydrocolloids and gums to solve your most pressing formulation challenges. Source quality carrageenan from leading suppliers backed by Tilley’s exceptional customer service and technical expertise, and you’ll see why leading food and personal care manufacturers choose us.
Contact a representative today.
Carrageenan FAQs
Tilley Distribution offers kosher certification for Carrageenan products.
Tilley Distribution offers halal certification for Carrageenan products.
In its pure form, this seaweed-based ingredient is considered gluten-free. We work with all of our clients to provide the proper certification.
Yes, carrageenan is a vegan ingredient derived from red seaweed. Carrageenan often replaces animal fat or gelatin to qualify traditional food and beverage products as vegetarian or vegan.
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