Chemically Processed Powdered Seaweed Extracts
"Seaweed ‘Jelly’ is a term I use to distinguish it from seaweed ‘Gels’ and ‘powdered extracts’ processed using chemicals". - Clayten Tylor
If you have food sensitivities, it's time to kick the processed food additives habit, and start eating unprocessed seaweed jelly - the perfect flavor-enhancing food additive!
Chemically Processed Seaweed Extracts are in your Food
You are already on a Seaweed Diet. Seaweed is in everything you eat. Seaweed extracts are in every food that you associate with being ‘yummy’ - in the form of bleached and processed food additives.
There are three types of chemically processed gelatinous substances extracted from seaweed, used to add texture and creaminess to most processed foods: agar, carrageenan, and alginates. Seaweed also contain natural sugars such as sorbitol which is chemically extracted from red seaweed, and mannitol which is chemically extracted from brown seaweed. Seaweed also contains mono sodium glutamate (MSG) used extensively in the fast-food industry, but chemically extracted as well.
All of these extracts, including seaweed powders, can be made naturally without chemicals! (I have a sensitivity to all of these processed food additives, but not in their naturally occurring state, as in my unprocessed seaweed jelly formulas).
Seaweed Extract Processing
The ingredient list should say just Seaweed.
Seaweeds are the only natural plant sources for gelling and emulsifying agents. The patented processes for extraction date back to 1922. These patent documents read like alchemical doctrines - probably to disguise the simplicity of the process.
The ‘old’ patent process uses chemicals to speed the breakdown process and to increase the gel strength, and bleach to make it look whiter. These processed seaweed extracts and powders require approval by the food and drug administration (because of the chemicals used in processing the seaweed) which has given seaweed a bad name.
The process for removing the seaweed extracts requires a lot of water and power, and considering the rising costs of power and water consumption, these extracts will soon not be affordable. Imagine a cake mix costing ten times more, or twenty dollars for an ice-cream cone. The point is - seaweed jelly is inexpensive, and is the perfect food additive - it replaces the taste of high fat without compromising taste and texture - in fact better!
Agar or Kanten
Agar gels are chemically extracted from seaweed and used for thickening in icings, meringues, pie fillings, and fruit candies, because the high sugar actually strengthens the gel. Agar is boiled and cooled to form a gel, and can be repeatedly frozen and melted. There are several grades of agar depending on their gelling power. Some are for use in the microbiological industry in bacterial experiments, and others in the pharmaceutical industry as a laxative.
Carrageenan
Carrageenan is chemically extracted and used to thicken foods such as chocolate milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, and ready to eat desserts. It is also used in toothpaste, infant formulas, cooked flans, and cold puddings. In yogurt, it is used to suspend the fruit in fruit yogurt, and to add a creamy texture.
Alginates
Alginates are chemically extracted from seaweed, also called propylene glycerol alginates, are emulsifiers, stabilizers, and thickeners. Most commonly used in ice cream, cake mixes, milk desserts, syrups, toppings for ice cream, mayonnaise, salad dressings, and fruit drinks. In beer making alginates are used to regulate the amount of beer foam. In the pharmaceutical industry, they are used as medical dressings, hair shampoos, and in agriculture as fertilizer. They are also used in textile printing.
Sorbitol & Mannitol
These sugars are chemically extracted from seaweed, for use in chewing gum, paper manufacturing, and sugar-free diet products.
(MSG) Mono Sodium Glutamate
Seaweed is the only source for Mono Sodium Glutamate, which is chemically extracted from seaweed and used as a flavor-enhancer and meat tenderizer used in commercial soup bases, canned foods, dried noodle-mixes, etc., etc., etc.
