Carrageenan Seaweed Marbling

Carrageenan also known as irish moss is a widely used food ingredient derived from red seaweed.

Carrageenan seaweed marbling. Recommended proportions for marbling. 4 teaspoons 19 g carrageenan to 1 gal 3 79 l water. An extract from the seaweed irish moss. The solution on which the colors are floated is referred to as the size the size can be made of several different types of gel or gum but the finest and most detailed marbling must be done on carrageenan size carrageenan is an extract from a seaweed called irish moss.

The paper or fabric is then laid on it absorbing the colours. It s a natural ingredient that comes from red seaweed also called irish moss. For larger quantities repeat using same proportions. Marbling begins first with the dissolving seaweed powder in water seaweed is a white material derived from an ocean plant.

In a blender slowly add the carrageenan to 3 cups 0 71 l warm water and blend until fully dispersed. Some people who practice marbling prefer carrageenan over methocel especially those who work with watercolor paints on paper. Used as an inactive excipient in pills and tablets. This is a powdered gelatin which you mix with water in a blender to form the size on which the colors float.

A type of gum seaweed gives the water a degree of viscosity. The french use a form. They feel it offers better control and results in more precise patterning. A tray with the approximate dimensions of the paper to be marbled is filled with this liquid to depth of about six centimeters.

Carrageenan shows up frequently in the ingredients section of food labels but don t expect to. Carrageenan is used for coughs bronchitis tuberculosis and intestinal problems. Carrageenan is made from parts of various red algae or seaweeds and is used for medicine. Carrageenan is a mucilaginous substance that is obtained from a several species of red algae namely chondrus crispus it is an edible substance that is used as a thickener and a gelatine substitute it has a sea like smell and it requires washing to remove the excess salt and iodine it is similar to agar a gelatinous substance obtained from seaweed and algae but agar sets even in cold.

Even though there are many kinds of gels and thickeners available nothing has been found that works better for marbling than carrageenan. Carrageenan is a seaweed extract and is the traditional marbling size. To immobilize cells and enzymes.