Collection: Thickeners and Gelling Agents

Thickeners and gelling agents are fundamental ingredients in cooking that allow you to modify the consistency and texture of foods.

Thickeners increase the density of liquids and preparations, creating richer sauces, velvety creams, and stable emulsions. Gelling agents transform liquids into gels, allowing you to create puddings, jellies, aspics, and preparations with a solid yet soft consistency.

These ingredients are essential for:

  • Stabilizing emulsions and sauces
  • Creating innovative textures in the kitchen
  • Making desserts and sweet treats with perfect consistency
  • Preparing molecular gastronomy dishes
  • Improving the presentation and consistency of dishes

Ideal for both professional chefs and enthusiasts of creative cooking who want to experiment with new consistencies and textures.

GUIDE TO CHOOSING

Not all thickeners do the same thing.

Viscosity, gelation, elasticity, and stability depend on the chosen ingredient and the process. Start from the result you want to achieve.

TO KNOW

Temperature, pH, presence of salts, sugars, and other hydrocolloids can significantly alter the behavior of a thickener or gelling agent.

CHOOSE BY FUNCTION

What result do you want to achieve?

Use these guidelines as initial orientation and then further explore the technical data sheet of the individual product.

COLD

Cold thickening

Increases viscosity and body without necessarily creating a gel-like structure.

PRODUCTS TO EVALUATE Xanthan, Guar
GEL

Create a gel

To give a defined structure to gelatins, inserts, glazes, and technical preparations.

PRODUCTS TO EVALUATE Agar Agar, Gelatin, Pectin
ELASTIC

Obtain an elastic gel

When a soft and flexible structure is needed instead of a fragile gel.

PRODUCTS TO EVALUATE Iota Carrageenan
RIGID

Achieve a firmer gel.

For preparations that require a clean cut, shape, and greater resistance.

PRODUCTS TO EVALUATE Agar Agar
STABILITY

Stabilize ice cream and sorbets

To control water, crystallization, and structure during storage and service.

PRODUCTS TO EVALUATE Carob, Guar, Tara, Neutrals
TEXTURE

Improve body and texture

To build creaminess, viscosity, or a fuller mouthfeel.

PRODUCTS TO EVALUATE Carob, Tara, CMC, Xanthan
QUICK COMPARISON

The differences in a few seconds.

A simplified overview of the main ingredients in the category.

Ingredient Function Process Result Ideal for
Xanthan Gum Thickener Cold / hot Viscous, pseudoplastic Sauces, creams, suspensions
Guar Gum Thickener Cold Soft and creamy Ice cream, sauces, bakery
Carob Bean Flour Thickener / stabilizer Preferably warm Body and creaminess Ice cream and dessert
Iota Carrageenan Gelling agent Thermal activation Elastic gel Soft gels and dairy systems
Agar Agar Gelling agent Hot Firm and fragile gel Gelatins, glazes, inserts
Gelatin Gelling agent Hydration + heat Soft and melting gel Mousse, jelly, pastry

The actual performance depends on formulation, concentration, and process. Always consult the product information before use.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Don't know which one to choose?

Tell us the recipe, the process, and the result you want to achieve. We can help you identify the most suitable ingredient.

24 products