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Carrageenan is a natural ingredient extracted from red seaweed and is widely used in food and beverage products as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent. It helps improve texture, consistency, and shelf stability in a variety of formulations. Due to its plant-based origin, carrageenan is commonly used in both conventional and plant-based foods.

Derived from Red Seaweed

Carrageenan is obtained from certain species of red seaweed that are harvested and processed to extract the functional compounds. The seaweed is cleaned, treated, and refined to produce carrageenan in powder form, making it easy to use in food processing and other applications.

Different Types for Different Functions

There are several types of carrageenan, each offering distinct textural properties:

• Kappa carrageenan – forms firm gels, often used in dairy and meat products