Category: Ingredient substitutes

According to a 2025 study, increased consumption of processed foods containing carrageenan has been linked to potential negative health impacts, though regulatory bodies maintain it is generally safe. If you're looking for a healthy alternative to carrageenan, a number of natural ingredients can provide similar thickening and gelling properties for a wide range of recipes and applications.

With more consumers seeking gluten-free and low-carb alternatives, understanding the properties of different flours and meals is crucial. While both are popular choices for specialized baking, is flax meal the same as almond meal? The simple answer is no, and the differences can significantly impact your recipes and nutritional intake.

Gelatin, a common gelling agent, is made from the boiled bones, skin, and connective tissues of animals, making it unsuitable for vegetarian diets. Finding what is a vegetarian alternative to gelatin is crucial for adapting recipes to be completely plant-based.

According to product listings from suppliers, Golden Swan Shaoxing Cooking Condiment contains allergens including cereals containing gluten. This is because the traditional fermentation process for Shaoxing wine, including the Golden Swan brand, uses a wheat-based starter culture, making it unsafe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Did you know that agar-agar, a popular vegetarian gelatine substitute, has been used in Japanese cuisine for centuries, having been discovered in the 17th century? For those seeking plant-based alternatives to animal-derived gelatine, there is no single answer, but rather a spectrum of versatile ingredients that offer different textures and setting properties for various culinary applications.

Piloncillo is a minimally processed Mexican cane sugar known for its deep, complex flavor profile featuring notes of caramel, rum, and smokiness. But when you don't have this unrefined cone sugar on hand, knowing what can I use instead of piloncillo in baking is essential for salvaging your recipe.

Traditional orzo is a wheat-based pasta, meaning it is not gluten-free, despite its appearance, which can often be mistaken for a grain of rice. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, finding a suitable gluten-free alternative to orzo is essential for adapting beloved recipes.

A 2023 survey revealed that over a third of consumers are actively seeking to reduce their meat consumption. For those exploring plant-based diets, a common question arises: is there a vegetarian version of fish sauce? The answer is a flavorful yes, with many creative and accessible options available.

Studies have shown that xanthan gum and psyllium husk, while both effective gluten-free binders, behave differently when heated, particularly in baked goods. While it is possible to use psyllium husk instead of xanthan gum, the substitution is not one-to-one and performs best in specific recipes like yeast breads.

Sticky rice, also known as glutinous rice, is a specific type of rice that is distinguished by its unique starch composition, containing very high levels of amylopectin and almost no amylose. This crucial difference in starch is the scientific reason why you cannot use normal rice to achieve the desired sticky, chewy texture.