Sodium alginate: fixing lumps, bubbles and misshapen spheres

Many spherification problems begin before the bath: poorly dispersed alginate, calcium already in the base or air incorporated during blending. Adding more powder often complicates matters.

If lumps appear

Distribute alginate gradually into the specified base while mixing. Check the water and liquid composition: calcium can trigger premature gelling, creating particles that do not disappear simply by resting.

Use low-calcium drinking water when required. “Demineralised” does not automatically mean suitable for food: avoid technical products for appliances.

If there are too many bubbles

Blending can incorporate air. Prepare the solution ahead and let it rest covered, refrigerated when required by the base, until bubbles diminish. Resting and dissolving are different: waiting alone will not fix a base already gelled by calcium.

If spheres have tails

Assess viscosity, drop height, dispenser shape and technique. An overly thick base may form threads; an abrupt drop can deform the portion. Test a few spheres and change one variable.

Finally check bath time and rinsing. Increasing concentration further does not correct an overly thick membrane.

For the location of alginate and calcium, read the reverse spherification guide; for small pearls, try direct lemon spherification. Follow quantities and method from the same recipe before introducing variations.