琼脂 (qióngzhī) · agar

Meanings

1 agar
2 agar-agar (gelling agent extracted from seaweed)

About the ingredient

调料 Seasonings

Dried strips or a powder made from red seaweed. Boiled and cooled, it sets into a firm jelly for desserts; soaked strips are also tossed with cucumber and vinegar as a cold dish.

Also called 洋菜、洋粉、冻粉、寒天

Used in 1 dish

杏仁豆腐 xìngrén dòufu

Characters

琼

qióng

fine jade; translucent

脂

zhī

fat, grease; gel

Examples

HSK 6

实验室用琼脂培养细菌。

Shíyànshì yòng qióngzhī péiyǎng xìjūn.

Labs use agar to culture bacteria.

HSK 7-9

做果冻可以用琼脂代替明胶。

Zuò guǒdòng kěyǐ yòng qióngzhī dàitì míngjiāo.

When making jelly you can use agar instead of gelatin.

Tips

memory

琼 originally means 'fine jade' - a poetic name for a clear gel. 脂 means 'fat / grease'. Together: 'jade-like gel'. Useful to remember it sets firmer than gelatin and is plant-based, so vegetarian-friendly.