food-bev Alternative Thickener

[Klaatu Barada]

Hi all,

I've been using a little xanthan gum in my sauces due to some separations but a few folk have said they're put off buying because of its inclusion. A couple of people have recommended chai seeds as a replacement but I don't think I've ever come across that in a hot sauce.

Has anyone tried using it? Any tips or horror stories from including it?

Cheers,

K

 

[The Hot Pepper]

You are allowed to call it Corn Sugar Gum if you think this helps.

 

[Klaatu Barada]

Now that's interesting. I didn't know that.

 

[The Hot Pepper]

It's the label-friendly name the FDA allows. There's a few others but they also sound like chemicals, it's the cleanest one.

 

[salsalady]

Lots of options here...
http://thehotpepper.com/topic/39383-natural-gums-info/

While I have not used it, i love that carrageenan is from seaweed.

 

[Siv]

I use carrageenan but I'm not selling my sauces. There is a bunch of anti-carrageenan propaganda on the internet also if one cares to google so not sure if it will help your particular situation.

 

[The Hot Pepper]

It's true. Used to be a whole don't eat Ben and Jerry's because it has it.

 

[Klaatu Barada]

Yeah, the scare stories around these are ridiculous.
Cheers for the tips - I'll give the alternatives a try!

 

[The Hot Pepper]

Guar gum has a funny name but never seen negative press. But feel free to google lol.