What are agar-agar and guar gum?

Answer 1

Agar agar is a gelatin substitute made from seaweed. It doesn't have any flavor and will gel like Jell-O.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agar

Guar gum is an emulsifier.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guar_gum

Answer 2

It's a sea weed extract used as a thickener in many different types of recipes. One can even make jello from it, although vegan jello made from konyaku has a far better texture. Agar is super cheap in Asian markets and they use it to make desserts. Usually found in puffy spongy looking bar forms or blocks or chunks. At health food stores, they jack up the price and rip everyone off.

Guar gum is another thickener and people use it because, unlike other thickeners such as agar, it does not require heat to thicken. Xthanan gum is used the same way and is much more powerful.

They are natural products and okay to eat.

Just look this sort of easy-answer stuff on the internet, okay?

Answer 3

Both are thickening agents.
Agar (also known as agar-agar) - A vegetable gum obtained from seaweeds used to thicken foods. Agar is a vegan product.
Guar gum - A common and versatile vegetable gum often used to thicken products. Guar gum is also a vegan product.

Answer 4

they are a good vegan gelatin substitute. It is in royal flan which is lacto-vegetarian but contains no eggs nor gelatin and still has the feeling of gelatin. Also a little asian jello in a tube i found turned out to be made from agar agar and was vegan, yay!