Spherification
is a spectacular cooking technique we introduced
at elBulli in 2003 which enables us to prepare
recipes that no-one had even imagined before.
It consists of the controlled gelification
of a liquid which, submerged in a bath, forms
spheres. There are two kinds: Basic
Spherification (which consists of submerging a liquid with
Algin in a bath of Calcic) and Reverse
Spherification (submerging a liquid with Gluco in a bath
of Algin).
These techniques can obtain spheres of different
sizes: caviar, eggs, gnocchi, ravioli... In
both techniques, the spheres produced can be
manipulated, since they are slightly flexible.
We can introduce solid elements into the spheres,
which will remain in suspension in the liquid,
which obtains two or more flavours in a single
preparation.
In Basic Spherification, with some ingredients
it is necessary to use Citras to correct the
acidity; in Reverse Spherification, Xantana
is generally used for thickening. Spherification
requires the use of specific utensils (Eines),
which are included in the Kits. |