OUkosher.org
Gelatin
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Announcing the Arrival of Geliko OU Kosher Gelatine Hydrolysate, for Kosher Food and Pharmaceutical
A basic element missing from the kosher food industry for generations was affordable cattle-derived kosher gelatine. Geliko, a world leader in kosher gelatine production, has recently announced the arrival of Geliko Kosher Gelatine and Gelatine Hydrolysate.
Long hailed as a rich source of protein, gelatine hydrolysate has not always been available to manufacturers of kosher food and kosher pharmaceuticals. Combining the resources of a global manufacturer with the technical expertise of the Orthodox Union, Geliko has optimized and streamlined the complicated process of kosher gelatine production. Today, Geliko manages the world’s largest and most reliable continuous systems for kosher gelatine production, and can support the production needs of any kosher food production facility.
Mr. Zach Rubin, President of Geliko, explains, “To make kosher gelatine available to the entire kosher industry, we needed to have the kosher certification with maximum acceptance. The OU was the natural choice. Not only are they accepted and respected universally, their rabbis have a deep understanding of complex technical issues. Their expertise was indispensible in making this project a success. With this project, the OU has helped numerous companies that could not manufacture certain kosher products because kosher gelatine was not available.”
Gelatine and gelatine hydrolysate are both valuable substances, and both play vital roles in manufacture. However, there are distinct differences between them.
Collagen (the protein substance from the hides of kosher-slaughtered cattle), is converted to a liquid form through enzymatic hydrolysis. Carefully-controlled partial hydrolysis yields gelatine, while complete enzymatic hydrolysis produces gelatine hydrolysate. Gelatine and gelatine hydrolysate can be used to enhance texture, thickness, and gel strength, (Gelatine is defined by its bloom, or gel strength.)
“Gelatine,” says Mr. Rubin, “has a neutral taste and no odor, so it can be used in food applications without altering taste or smell.” Gelatine forms a gel at room temperature and requires hot water to dissolve. Therefore, it can function in numerous ways: as a gel former and texturizer in fruit gums and gelatine desserts; a stabilizer in dairy products such as yogurts or puddings; and an emulsifier in soups, sauces and low-fat food. If a particular product needs its ingredients brought together with an optimal consistency or strength, gelatine is the perfect adhesive for the job. Furthermore, it can act as a whipping agent and foam former in marshmallows, ice cream, cake fillings and mousse desserts. It is also a great source of protein.
Gelatine hydrolysate, on the other hand, is defined by its viscosity. It forms a solution at room temperature, and most types dissolve at room temperature in cold water.
Gelatine hydrolysate is also an ideal source of protein. It can be used as a thickening and binding agent, so it is able to replace sugar as an adhesive in some products, further improving their healthfulness. Gelatine hydrolysate, too, is neutral in taste, so it does not affect flavor adversely. It is used to improve a wide array of products, including protein bars, cereal bars, protein drinks, smoothies, and joint health and nutraceuticial products.
The benefits that Geliko Kosher Gelatine and Gelatine Hydrolysate can provide are endless. Whether you are looking to improve the physical characteristics of your products or increase their nutritional value, Geliko Kosher Gelatine and Gelatine Hydrolysate are ideal ingredients.
For further information contact Zach Rubin at .
Rabbi Seth Mandel serves as Orthodox Union rabbinic coordinator for Geliko.
Gelatin • OU Companies Speak • Corporate • Case Studies • (403) Comments •
Glatech Productions’ Kolatin®: Real Gelatin. Real Kosher.
It’s not often that a company is founded by someone who is a renowned kashrut expert. Yet, that was exactly the case with Glatech Productions. The company, founded by the legendary Rabbi Shimon Eider, a trailblazer in kashrut, manufactures a truly unique gelatin marketed as Kolatin®.
Unique gelatin? Aren’t all gelatins basically the same? What is in fact so special about Kolatin®?
Moshe Eider, Glatech’s Director of Operations, explains, “Real gelatin is an animal derivative, a product of bovine hides. For the kosher consumer, concerned with all the issues that this entails, it presented obvious problems.” Over the years, manufacturers resorted to substitutes, such as fish-bone gelatin, or seaweed based products like agar agar or carageenenan. Other companies used bovine gelatin, but it was obtained from non-kosher hides or bones; no major kosher certifying agency in the United States, Canada, or most of the world would approve it.
Moshe adds, “My father, who was really out there on the front lines, saw the niche for real gelatin that was 100 percent kosher, pareve and Kosher for Passover. And so he diligently began the research process. After five years of research and development, with much determination and perseverance, Kolatin® was successfully developed.”
What is the advantage of real bovine gelatin versus the alternatives?
“For the consumer, it’s the quality. Nothing else matches the mouth feel and texture of true gelatin in gel desserts, custard, or whipped creams. In fact, gelatin is an ideal substitute for butter, particularly when you want to reduce fat content. From silky to chewy, real gelatin’s ability to mimic the texture of natural fatty substances is incomparable. One taste of our Elyon® Gelatin Dessert, and you’ll know the difference.”
Moshe gets warmed up on the topic, and his enthusiasm about Kolatin® is apparent. “For manufacturers, Kolatin’s versatility is a dream. It serves as an ideal emulsifier, thickening agent, binder, and even clarifying agent. It’s used in frozen desserts, confections, chocolates, pharmaceuticals, wines, consommés, jellies, meat products, cheese cakes, syrups, and lots more.
Based on our customer’s requirements, Kolatin® is manufactured to the specifications of each customer’s needs, in areas such as bloom strengths, viscosity and mesh size. We also have a wide variety of gelatins readily available for immediate delivery. Manufacturers who switch to Kolatin® don’t have to retool – its integration into existing systems is virtually seamless.”
Because Glatech Productions has such hands-on experience in production techniques, they designed the company to incorporate modern hi-tech standards as well as extraordinary quality control. Only domestic animals are used, and each run is subject to an extensive series of quality tests, including microbiological analyses. In fact, depending on the end use, products containing Kolatin® may be marketed as USDA Organic Certified.
Additionally, Kolatin® is produced in as ISO-9001 certified facility. From a health conscious perspective, Kolatin® is hard to beat. It’s a low-calorie, fat-free, sugar-free and cholesterol-free ingredient. Moreover, Kolatin® is actually a good source
of protein and amino acids.
For the kosher consumer, Kolatin® is nothing short of a breakthrough. “Manufacturing an animal-based gelatin that would also be strictly kosher as well as pareve, presented a number of formidable challenges,” says Moshe Eider. “Kolatin® is a product that meets the strictest standards of kashrut – it’s the only one in the world produced exclusively from Glatt kosher hides – and satisfies the most discerning palettes.”
The Glatech team is always exploring new concepts, both in products and in service. Currently on the horizon is an idea that consumers will surely appreciate: Recipes from Susie Fishbein, world renowned author of the best-selling Kosher by Design cookbook series, will appear on the back of Elyon gelatin dessert retail boxes and be available at http://www.KosherGelatin.com.
For Glatech, having the Orthodox Union certification was non-negotiable. “From a marketing perspective we wanted the agency that is most universally recognized,” says Moshe Eider. “But even more so, we wanted consumers to know that our kashrut is as
genuine as our gelatin!”
For more information about Kolatin® Real Kosher Gelatin, please call 732.364.8700 or visit http://www.KosherGelatin.com.
Rabbi Chananel Herbsman serves as Orthodox Union rabbinic coordinator for Glatech Productions LLC.
Gelatin • OU Companies Speak • Corporate • Case Studies • (82) Comments •