Help! My homemade NAC gummies turned into a disaster
Hey all, I'm trying to make my own gummies with NAC powder and agar. I followed a recipe I found online, but my batch came out super gritty and they didn't set properly. They're more like a weird paste! Any ideas what went wrong? I used agar instead of gelatin, maybe that's the issue? Also, the taste is awful, any tips to mask that nasty sulfur taste?
Gritty and paste-like? Sounds like you didn't dissolve the agar properly. Agar needs to be boiled to activate, not just heated to warm. Also, did you add the NAC powder while the mixture was too hot? That can denature it and also cause it to clump. For the taste, maybe try using a flavored electrolyte powder or a bit of stevia and citric acid to help mask the sulfur. But honestly, I'd rather just buy capsules, too much hassle.
I've had some luck with these! Tips from a seasoned DIYer: Use a mix of gelatin and agar for a better texture. Also, make sure to sprinkle the agar into cold water first, let it bloom, then heat to a full boil while stirring. For the NAC, dissolve it in a little liquid BEFORE adding to the mix, and add it off-heat. And for taste, add some fruit juice concentrate or even a bit of honey (but not too much, they need to stay firm). I also add a pinch of salt to round out the flavor. Give it another shot!
Thanks guys! I think the agar might have been the culprit, I didn't boil it enough. Also, I added the NAC when the mixture was too hot, so it probably degraded. I'll try the gelatin/agar combo and dissolve the NAC separately. OrangeOscar989, do you have a specific recipe with measurements? I'm a newbie at this and need more detail. Also, how do you get them out of the mold without them sticking? Mine were a mess.
Sure Bob! Here's my go-to: 1/2 cup cold water, 2 tbsp gelatin (or 1 tbsp gelatin + 1 tsp agar), let bloom for 10 min. Then heat on low until fully dissolved, but do NOT boil. Off heat, add in your NAC (I use about 2g, dissolve it in a splash of water first) and any flavoring (like 2 tbsp of lemon juice and 1 tbsp honey). Pour into silicone molds (grease 'em lightly with coconut oil to prevent sticking), then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. If they still stick, pop them in the freezer for 10 min. Good luck!