Help! Why did my homemade gummy vitamins turn into a rubbery mess?
Hey everyone! I tried making my own gummy vitamins using agar agar and some vitamin C powder, but they came out super rubbery and weird tasting. I followed a recipe online - 2 tbsp agar, 1 cup juice, heat and stir. Did I use too much agar? Any tips for a newbie?
Ugh, I hate when that happens! For me, the key is to balance the gelatin/agar with enough liquid and flavor. Agar needs to be boiled properly, not just simmered. Also, vitamin powders can be bitter - try adding a little honey or stevia. What juice did you use? Maybe the acidity messed with the setting.
Honestly, I gave up on agar because it's so finicky. I use gelatin (grass-fed bovine) and it works way better. Pro tip: use a precision thermometer to heat the mix to exactly 180°F then cool to 140°F before pouring into silicone molds. Never failed me. For vitamin powders, mix them with a tiny bit of oil first to avoid clumps.
Yo, it might be the ratio. I do 1 tbsp agar per 1 cup liquid, but you gotta let it sit for 10 mins after boiling to thicken. Also, def use a candy thermometer - if you overheat, it gets rubbery. And vitamin powders can cause weird reactions. Try dissolving the powder in a small amount of warm water before adding to the mix.