Definition

A substance obtained from certain types of red seaweed, commonly used to thicken and stabilize food and other products.

Example

Carrageenan is often added to dairy products to improve their texture.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of carrageenan?

Yeah, I think it's used in some food products, right?

Exactly! It's a thickening agent derived from red algae.

That's interesting! I had no idea it came from sea plants.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Carrageenan originates from the Irish word 'carraigin', meaning 'little rock', which refers to the red algae from which it is derived. The term is used to describe a thickening agent extracted from these algae, commonly used in food products.

Memory Tip

Think of 'carraigin', which means 'little rock' in Irish, to remember that carrageenan is derived from algae that resemble small rocks and is used as a thickening agent.

Visually Confused Words