Here is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to use gellan gum to suspend bursting boba in a beverage:

Step-by-Step Guide

Materials Needed:

  • Ingredients:

    • Gellan gum (preferably a mix of high-acyl and low-acyl for balanced texture)
    • Water
    • Sugar (optional, for sweetening)
    • Bursting boba (any flavor)
    • Beverage of choice (e.g., tea, juice, lemonade)

  • Equipment:

    • Precision scale (for accurate measurement of gellan gum)
    • Saucepan
    • Whisk or high-speed blender
    • Thermometer
    • Mixing container
    • Refrigerator

Step 1: Prepare the Gellan Gum Solution

  1. Measure Ingredients:

    • Weigh 0.1-0.2% gellan gum based on the total volume of the beverage you plan to prepare. For example, for 1 liter (1000 ml) of beverage, use 1-2 grams of gellan gum.
    • Optionally, measure sugar to taste if you want to sweeten the gellan gum solution.

  2. Heat Water:

    • Pour the required amount of water into a saucepan (use about 200 ml of water per gram of gellan gum).
    • Heat the water to 80-90°C (176-194°F). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.

  3. Dissolve Gellan Gum:

    • Gradually sprinkle the gellan gum into the hot water while whisking continuously to prevent clumping.
    • If using a blender, blend the mixture on low speed to ensure even dispersion of the gellan gum.

  4. Incorporate Sugar (Optional):

    • If adding sugar, do so after the gellan gum is dissolved. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.

  5. Cool the Solution:

    • Once the gellan gum and sugar are fully dissolved, remove the saucepan from heat.
    • Allow the solution to cool to room temperature. As it cools, it will form a gel-like consistency.

Step 2: Mix the Gellan Gum Solution with the Beverage

  1. Prepare the Beverage:

    • Pour your beverage of choice into a mixing container. Ensure the container is large enough to accommodate additional volume from the gellan gum solution.

  2. Combine Solutions:

    • Add the cooled gellan gum solution to your beverage. A typical ratio is 0.5-1% gellan gum solution to the total volume of the beverage.
    • For example, if you have 1 liter of beverage, add 50-100 ml of gellan gum solution.

  3. Mix Thoroughly:

    • Use a whisk or blender to mix the gellan gum solution into the beverage thoroughly. This ensures even distribution and prevents settling of the gellan gum.

Step 3: Add Bursting Boba

  1. Prepare the Boba:

    • Make sure your bursting boba is ready to use. Drain any excess liquid from the boba if needed.

  2. Incorporate the Boba:

    • Gently stir the bursting boba into the beverage. The gellan gum solution will help suspend the boba throughout the liquid.

  3. Check Consistency:

    • Observe the beverage to ensure the boba is evenly suspended. If the beverage is too thick, you can dilute it with more of the base beverage. If it's too thin and the boba are not suspending well, you can prepare a slightly stronger gellan gum solution and mix it in.

Step 4: Final Adjustments and Serving

  1. Adjust Flavor (Optional):

    • Taste the beverage and adjust the sweetness or flavor if necessary by adding more sugar, sweetener, or flavor extracts.

  2. Refrigerate:

    • Refrigerate the beverage for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This helps set the texture and ensure the boba remain suspended.

  3. Serve:

    • Serve the beverage chilled, ensuring the bursting boba are evenly distributed.

By following this detailed guide, you can create a visually appealing and delicious beverage with suspended bursting boba that stays well-distributed throughout the drink. Enjoy your creation!