Aspic: what is it?
Aspic is a preparation that involves the use of gelatin. There are sweet and savory ones; the former are used as desserts, while the salty aspics are appetizers or dishes.
The fundamental concept for its production is that the liquids present inside the aspic (abundant, consisting of water, milk, broth, juice, etc.) they must be gelled by a food additive, from a food or from a hydrocolloid nutrient; among these gelling components are mentioned:
- gelatine,
- alginic acid and alginates,
- guar gum,
- agar-agar, pectins,
- collagen from meat and fish,
- egg white etc.
The pectin gelling process can only take place by lowering the temperature (in the refrigerator, not in the freezer).
