Agar is a Malay word that means 'jelly'. It is an extract made from several different red seaweeds belonging to the botanical family called gelidium. The gelatine is flavourless, odourless and colourless, which makes agar an unusual product with endless possibilities.
Three-foot long fronds of agar seaweed are sun-dried, then boiled to create a semi-solid solution that is strained and sun dried again. It is sold in several forms, the flakes and powder are the most popular because they dissolve easily (see the Product section for How to use).
Agar has virtually no calories. At 75% carbohydrate, it is high in a form of fibre that passes through the body undigested (indigestible by bacteria) adding bulk to the diet and creating a beneficial laxative effect. Although it is not quite as rich in nutrients as other sea vegetables, it does contain iron, calcium, potassium, iodine as well as a number of vitamins, including B6, B12, C, D and K.
On the health side, its high fibre content allows it to pass through the body unchanged and has been said to successfully solve cases of chronic constipation. For this purpose, Agar can be administered in granules (preferable to powder which may cause irritation in some cases) mixed with fruits, cereals or juices at the rate of half to one once at a time.
