Agar agar part 2 - History and Noodles

It seems I owe everyone a brief history of one of my favorite ingredients: Agar agar.  It was invented in Japan where it is known as Kanten.  Agar agar is the Malaysian word for the algae it derives from. (pictured left)

Beginning around 700 AD, there was a popular dish in Japan called tokoroten.  This dish is made by boiling various seaweeds in water to create a seaweed flavored broth. The broth is then allowed to chill until it forms a firm jelly.

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various seaweeds

 This jelly is then pushed through a box with a grate, dividing the jelly into noodles.  This is served cold, dressed with soy sauce, scallions, toasted nori, miso paste, etc.

Tokoroten

The story of Agar agar continues in the Edo period of Japan (around 1600-1800s)  During this time, feudal lords were required to spend half of their time in Edo, the capitol, and the rest of their time in their individual domains.  On one of these journeys, Lord Shimazu of the Satsuma clan stayed at an inn called Minoya in Fushimi, Kyoto, where he was served

tokoroten

. The innkeeper, Tarozaemon, threw the leftover noodles outside.  He forgot about them for several days.  During this time, they froze at night, thawing and dehydrating during the day.  This process of freeze-drying repeated for several nights until Tarozaemon found the noodles.  He noticed their color immediately, it had paled considerably.  Curious, he remelted the threads and allowed them to chill.  They had reformed into a jelly once again, this time without the characteristic color and flavor of seaweed.  This would eventually lead to the creation and distribution of Kanten or Agar agar.

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The traditional process for the creation of Agar agar begins with seaweed, primarily those classified as red algae.  The seaweed is boiled and strained.  The resultant jelly is cut into blocks which are then forced through a cutter to create noodles.  The noodles are laid out on bamboo mats at the appropriate altitude, usually facing the sun.  Shaved ice is sprinkled over the noodles and they are allowed to freeze dry naturally for several days until they are dry and devoid of color and flavor.  This is how the thread agar that I prefer to use and which can be found affordably at most Asian markets is made.  One can see what a natural process this is.  Many people think of Agar agar as a "Molecular Gastronomy" ingredient.  Like many other ingredients incorrectly labeled this way, it is not a chemical, but a natural substance used traditionally for many years.

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 In honor of Agar agar's humble roots as a noodle, I have selected a recipe for Milk Chocolate Pudding Noodles.

Ingredients:

10 grams Agar agar, soaked in water for at least an hour and sqeezed dry

300 grams Milk

250 grams Milk Chocolate.

- First, add the milk to the agar in a pot and bring to a boil.

- Whisk thoroughly, it will be difficult to keep the milk from boiling over, this is normal.  If necessary, reduce the heat slightly.

- When the agar has fully melted (about 2-3 minutes) strain through a mesh strainer.

- There may be some small bits of Agar left behind.  This is normal.  It is very difficult at this concentration and in a liquid other than water to melt the Agar much more thoroughly.  

(This is one of the reasons I prefer the thread Agar.  Powdered agar, undissolved at this stage, would leak through the strainer and leave behind a grainy product.)

- Add the milk chocolate.  Whisk until fully incorporated.

- Meanwhile, take a very flat cookie tray, or other shallow vessel and line with plastic wrap.

- Pour chocolate mixture into lined pan.  Refrigerate until set (about 1-2 hours or up to overnight)  Be sure to keep level.

- When Noodle has cooled, gently transfer to a flat surface by lifting up on plastic wrap.

- If the mixture does not seem ready to pull away from plastic like this, allow to set in the refrigerator longer.  Do not fully wrap in plastic as some drying is necessary for agar to set correctly.

- Trim the edges and carefully cut off a nice even slice.

- Allow this noodle-like slice to drape gently over the plate and its components.  Pictured are some raspberry slices and violas.  The texture is like pudding, but the look is what makes it sick!

Additionally, this recipe can work with almost any fat-based ingredient: peanut butter, other nut pastes, marzipan, even cheese, especially goat cheese or marzipan.  Some play with the ratio may be necessary (a little less milk, a little more agar, etc) but it should be pretty close.  High fat is necessary, because the fat crystals keep the starch granules small, preventing the jelly from getting too brittle.

Cool beans.

Ryan Shelton