Top Agar Agar Brands: Quality Gelifiers You Need to Try!

Agar agar powder, a versatile gelling agent derived from seaweed, has gained popularity in culinary circles for its natural thickening properties and as a vegetarian alternative to gelatin. Many brands have tapped into this demand, offering high-quality agar agar powders suitable for both home cooks and professional chefs. From trusted global names to emerging local favorites, the variety can be overwhelming. To help you make an informed choice, we've compiled a list of the best brands for agar agar powder below.

Illustration of agar agar powder

Best brands of agar agar powder in 2025

NOW Foods

NOW Foods, a family-owned company since 1968, is a respected leader in natural products, offering high-quality agar agar powder derived from marine red algae, which serves as a perfect 100% pure, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher substitute for gelatin. It is ideal for thickening soups, jellies, and ice cream, with a typical serving size of 1/2 teaspoon (1.5g) containing 1g of dietary fiber, and is available in 2 oz and 5 oz packs.

Eden Foods

Eden Foods, established in 1968, offers a high-quality agar agar, a traditional, odorless, and tasteless sea vegetable gelatin made from a blend of Gelidium (50%) and Gracilaria (50%) species, that is naturally prepared through a unique process of boiling and freeze-drying in the mountains, creating a pure, vegan alternative to animal-based gelatin, that is low in sodium, fat, and cholesterol; their agar agar flakes, a great choice for desserts and jellies, have a high fiber content and are a much healthier option than commercial gelatins.

Telephone Brand

Telephone Brand has been a top producer of high-quality agar agar powder for over 60 years, using 100% Gracillaria seaweed to create a versatile, plant-based gelatin alternative with a high gel strength of 1250++ g/cm2; their product, available in 25g and 50g packs, is ideal for making vegan desserts, jellies, and other dishes. It's renowned for its easy dissolution in both hot and cold liquids, offering a natural and preservative-free gelling solution with a shelf life of up to 3 years. You can find their product at various stores.

Jellice

Jellice brand is a notable producer of high-quality agar agar powder, derived from seaweed, offering a vegan-friendly alternative to gelatin with a gelling power eight times stronger than animal-based gelatin, typically requiring only 0.2% - 1.5% concentration to form a gel, and it is used in various applications like desserts and as a thickening agent.

Cape Crystal Brands

Cape Crystal Brands is a top producer of agar agar powder, a 100% plant-based, vegan, and keto-friendly alternative to gelatin. Derived from organic seaweed, it is gluten-free and often used as a thickening agent in various recipes, boasting over 80% fiber content, which is beneficial for digestive health. Available in various sizes, such as 1-oz and 2-oz pouches, Cape Crystal Brands' agar agar is a versatile and healthful addition to any kitchen.

Clearspring

Clearspring, a renowned producer of high-quality agar-agar, offers a vegetarian alternative to gelatine, traditionally made from sea plants in Japan without any chemical bleaching. Their agar flakes contain 85% fiber and have a recommended ratio of one tablespoon per 250ml of liquid, making it a versatile choice for desserts and jellies. This commitment to natural ingredients and versatility has positioned Clearspring as a trusted choice for consumers seeking quality plant-based options.

Modernist Pantry

Modernist Pantry is a top producer of high-quality agar agar powder, sourced from Gracilaria algae, boasting a high gel strength, and is Non-GMO, Vegan, and OU Kosher certified; their super agar powder is typically used in a range of 0.04% to 1.2% by weight for gelling and is known for creating brittle gels, making it a popular vegan substitute for gelatin in modernist cooking, with a typical usage of 0.75% to replicate soft gelatin textures, and their agar sets at 88°F and does not melt below 136°F.

Hoosier Hill Farm

Hoosier Hill Farm is a well-regarded brand, established as a producer of high-quality agar agar powder, a natural vegan thickener derived from red algae, often called kanten, that boasts a gelling strength of ≥ 800 gr/cm², sets quickly at room temperature, and is more potent than gelatin, with one teaspoon being equivalent to 2-3 teaspoons of gelatin. They offer a product with a shelf life of 36 months when stored properly.

Great Value

While Great Value is a popular brand, it's not frequently highlighted as a top producer of agar agar powder in the search results; however, several other brands are mentioned as having high-quality products. For example, brands like NOW Foods, Foods Alive, and Telephone brand are noted for their quality. Many agar agar powders are derived from red algae and are 100% vegan, often used as a substitute for gelatin with gelling strengths ranging from 700 to over 900g/cm². A typical recipe utilizes about 2 teaspoons of agar agar powder for every 2 cups of liquid, and the powder dissolves when boiled and simmered for about 5 minutes. You can explore options from various brands, including those with organic options, on sites like Amazon or iHerb. For instance, the agar agar powder from Foods Alive is organic and comes in 2 oz packages. If you prefer a different product, a 500g package of agar agar powder from Koro is 100% pure and organically produced.

Hoosier Hill Farm

Hoosier Hill Farm, established in 1991, is a well-regarded producer of agar agar powder, a natural vegan thickener derived from red algae, known for its high gelling properties that create a firm texture and quick setting time at room temperature. This makes it a great substitute for gelatin and offers a good source of dietary fiber. Additionally, one teaspoon of agar agar powder provides the same thickening power as 2-3 teaspoons of gelatin.