Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a natural thickening agent and stabiliser. It is used to improve viscosity and texture and is ideal as a gluten substitute in gluten-free baking.
What is xanthan gum?
Xanthan gum is a natural thickening agent and stabiliser. It is used in dishes to improve texture and viscosity, making food less runny. One of the most notable properties of xanthan gum is that it can provide high viscosity even in very small quantities. This makes it a highly effective thickening agent, even at concentrations of just 0.1% to 2%. The gum is also temperature- and pH-stable, meaning it retains its viscosity across different temperatures and acidity levels.
What is xanthan gum used for?
Xanthan gum is mainly used to achieve a creamy and firm consistency in sauces, dressings, soups, ice cream, milkshakes, and many other products. It can even be used to make edible glue. As xanthan gum has virtually no flavour, it does not affect the taste of the dish. In addition, xanthan gum can also be used as an emulsifier. It helps to combine ingredients that would not normally mix well, such as oil and water. Because of this property, xanthan gum is often used as a binding agent in baking recipes, for example to give dough more strength. If you prefer not to use cornstarch as a binding agent, xanthan gum can be a suitable alternative.
Gluten-free bread improver
Xanthan gum is 100% gluten-free and, thanks to its properties, can be used very effectively as a natural gluten-free bread improver. The gum adds elasticity and viscosity to bread. It improves the structure of gluten-free baked goods and ensures that gluten-free bread is less crumbly and less likely to fall apart. In this way, xanthan gum compensates for the absence of gluten in gluten-free doughs.
How should xanthan gum be used?
It is best to use only 1% xanthan gum per 100 grams of the total weight of, for example, dough. If you have 500 grams of dough, use just 5 grams of xanthan gum. If you want to use xanthan gum in your creations, it is useful to apply it in the following way.
Choose small quantities
Xanthan gum is a very powerful ingredient and works effectively in very small amounts. For this reason, we recommend using only a small quantity at a time. If it turns out that you need more, you can always add extra.
Use it correctly
Xanthan gum can be used in different ways, depending on what you are making. If you are following a recipe, it will usually specify how best to use this product. If you want to use it as a thickening agent for, for example, sauce or ice cream, it is best to first dissolve the xanthan gum in a small amount of water and allow it to rest for a short while. If you want to use the gum in a baking recipe, you can mix it directly with the other dry ingredients.
Buying xanthan gum from Baktotaal.com
Xanthan gum can be more difficult to find in physical shops, but fortunately you can easily order it from Baktotaal.com. In our webshop you will find xanthan gum from various brands and in different quantities, ranging from 25 grams to 500 grams. All the xanthan gum we offer is of high quality, ensuring you are using a reliable product. Place your order today at Baktotaal.nl so you can receive it as soon as possible!
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