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Spherification
Spherification is a culinary process that employs sodium alginate and either calcium chloride or calcium glucate lactate to shape a liquid into squishy spheres, which visually and texturally resemble roe. The technique was documented by Unilever in the 1950sPotter, Jeff (2010). ''Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks, and Good Food'', page 305. O'Reilly Media, Inc. . and brought to the modernist cuisine by the creative team at El Bulli under the direction of chefs Ferran Adrià and Albert Adrià. Preparation There are two main methods for creating such spheres, which differ based on the calcium content of the liquid product to be spherified. Basic spherification For flavored liquids (such as fruit juices) containing no calcium, the liquid is thoroughly mixed with a small quantity of powdered sodium alginate, then dripped into a bowl filled with a cold solution of calcium chloride, or other soluble calcium salt. Just as a teaspoonful of water dropped into a bowl of v ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reverse Spherification
Reverse spherification is a method of molecular gastronomy. This method is similar to spherification, different in that it is used to enclose liquid containing alcohol content, as well as liquid with calcium content such as milk and yogurt. When the liquid containing alcohol or calcium salt is dropped into an alginate bath, the liquid will draw itself into a spherical shape and becomes encapsulated by the gel-like membrane formed by the cross-linking of the calcium ions and the alginate polymer strands. Larger spheres can be created using reverse spherification. After removing the jelly from the alginate bath, calcium would not continue to diffuse into the center of the sphere, therefore would not create a gel center. Longer storage time could be obtained for this product accordingly. Both the liquid for consumption and the alginate bath should be left to stand after preparing to eliminate air bubbles. Air bubbles inside the liquid could result in the inability of the flavourful li ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
