Gellan gum is a common ingredient in many modernist cuisine recipes, particularly in the creation of gel-like textures in beverages. Here is a recipe for a gelled beverage that you can try:



Ingredients:

  • 500 ml water
  • 10 g gellan gum
  • 100 g sugar
  • 250 ml fruit juice (such as orange, apple, or grape)

Instructions:

  1. In a small pot, combine the water and gellan gum. Whisk until the gellan gum is fully dispersed.
  2. Add the sugar to the pot and whisk until the sugar has fully dissolved.
  3. Heat the pot over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture comes to a simmer.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and continue to whisk for 5 minutes to activate the gelling properties of the gellan gum.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
  6. Once the mixture has cooled, whisk in the fruit juice until well combined.
  7. Pour the mixture into a container or mold and refrigerate until fully set, at least 1 hour.
  8. Once the mixture has set, use a spoon or fork to break up the gelled beverage into small pieces, or use a blender to puree it into a smooth texture.
  9. Serve the gelled beverage chilled in a glass or jar.

In the recipe I provided, it is recommended to use low acyl gellan gum, as it is more commonly used in beverage applications due to its ability to form a firm gel in the presence of low concentrations of monovalent cations like sodium. High acyl gellan gum, on the other hand, typically requires the presence of higher concentrations of divalent cations like calcium to form a soft gel, which is less desirable for beverage applications.

You can experiment with different fruit juices and sugar levels to create your own unique gelled beverage recipes using gellan gum. Enjoy!