Basic But Important Information You Need To Know About Xanthan Gum

If you are into the preparation of condiments, then you must have heard the term ‘xanthan gum.’ It is a food additive that is used as a stabilizer or thickener. Although it has various health benefits but too much consumption of the same might lead to digestive problems. It is made when sugar is fermented by a type of bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris.

Xanthan gum found in food products helps to enhance, the flavor, consistency, shelf life, texture, and appearance of several foods. It also stabilizes meals, allowing them to survive varying temperatures and pH levels. For baked products, it's commonly used to provide the flexibility and fluffiness that gluten lends traditional baked products.

What foods contain this gluten-free additive?

The common foods that consist of this stabilizing and thickening agent include,

• Bakery products
• Ice creams
• Low-fat foods
• Sauces and gravies
• Fruit juices
• Gluten-free products
• Soups
• Salad dressings
• Syrups

In the above-mentioned foods, the gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener improving their texture, consistency, appearance, shelf life, and flavor.

How it is used in foods?

Its use in baking and the quantity needed

As mentioned before, xanthan gum is greatly used in baked items like everyday bread.

There are a few things to keep in mind while baking using the stabilizing agent. To begin, if you're using a pre-made gluten-free flour blend, check to see if it already contains the additive. In that case, you do not have to add to it again.

If you're baking using single gluten-free flour, such as almond flour, or making a custom blend, the amount of gum required will vary. 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup of flour is usually sufficient for yeasted bread and pizza dough. 12 tsp additive per cup of flour is required for cake and muffin recipes.

Now, you must be wondering how to use the ingredient as a thickening agent. Well, this blog got you covered here.

Its use as a thickening agent

It is simple to thicken with xanthan gum. For thickening your recipes, dissolve the gum in the fluid you want to stiffen and then whisk it until the mixture thickens instantaneously. The quantity required for thickening sauces, soups, and creams may depend on the desired consistency. In general, a ratio of 0.1% to 0.3% works best for sauces with a thin texture. A ratio of 0.3% to 1% is normally utilized for rich textured sauces. The more gum powder is used, the thicker the sauce will be. Just be careful not to overdo it. Large quantities of xanthan gum can alter the texture of your product and may induce gastric distress.

Where can you find it?

This gluten-free food additive is mostly available in your local supermarkets but you can also buy it online in any form. However, when purchasing it online, make sure that you are buying from a credible e-commerce store. You must ensure that the quality of the ingredient must be high quality or it might lead to digestive problems. Cape Crystal Brands provide xanthan gum products of top quality. We have a highly authentic product that you can use for various recipes. To know more about our products, visit our website (https://www.capecrystalbrands.com/). You can contact us at 1-908-273-5600 or email us at info@capecrystalbrands.com.