- Gulaman
Gulaman, in Filipino cuisine, refers to the bars of dried seaweed used to make jellies or flan, as well as the desserts made from it. [http://everything2.com/e2node/gulaman Everything 2] ] . Agarose or agar is made of processed seaweed, mostly from "Gelidium corneum"- one of the most common edible alga [http://www.stuartxchange.org/Gulaman.html Philippine Medicinal Plants] ] , dehydrated and formed into foot-long [http://everything2.com/e2node/gulaman Everything 2] ] dry bars which are either plain or coloured [http://lafang.mikemina.com/index.php/2006/07/13/gulaman-at-sago-agar-agar-and-tapioca-pearls/ Lafang] ] .
It has also come to refer to the refreshment or dessert, sometimes referred to as "samalamig" or "sago't gulaman", sold at roadside stalls and vendors. This drink consists of gulaman cubes and/or
sago (tapioca pearls) [http://lafang.mikemina.com/index.php/2006/07/13/gulaman-at-sago-agar-agar-and-tapioca-pearls/ Lafang] ] suspended in milk, fruit juice or brown-sugar water flavored with pandan leaves. It is most likely a cheaper local version of the Chinese conjac jelly (which is served floating in cold tea) [http://everything2.com/e2node/gulaman Everything 2] ] .It is also sold commercially as "Pearl Shakes".
Gelatine and Gulaman
The term
gelatine and gulaman are used synonymously, although they are very different products.While gelatine is a
protein , gulaman is a plant-derivedcarbohydrate "Things you need to know about gelatine." Food Magazine-Philippines December 2006 - January 2007: 99] , made from seaweed. Gelatine dissolves in hot water but boiling water is necessary to dissolve gulaman.Unlike gelatine which sets at refrigerator temperature, gulaman sets at room temperature. While gelatine can melt at room temperature, it is uniquely thermo-reversible"Things you need to know about gelatine." Food Magazine-Philippines December 2006 - January 2007: 99] to its previous shape and form.
When used in desserts, gulaman produces a firm-textured"Things you need to know about gelatine." Food Magazine-Philippines December 2006 - January 2007: 99] product.
References
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