Carrageenan: Understanding a Common Food Ingredient
Carrageenan is a natural substance extracted from red seaweed and widely used in food and beverage production. Known for its ability to thicken, stabilize, and improve texture, it plays a quiet but important role in many everyday products, from dairy alternatives to processed meats. Though often overlooked, carrageenan sits at the intersection of food science, nutrition, and sustainability.
Origins and Production
Carrageenan comes from several species of red algae, primarily harvested from coastal waters in regions such as Southeast Asia, Europe, and parts of South America. After harvesting, the seaweed is cleaned, dried, and processed to extract the polysaccharides responsible for its gelling properties.


