In today’s climate of health-conscious decisions and ingredient awareness, some ingredients are drawing more attention than others. Ingredients like xanthan gum can be found in many food products, but they’re also now being sold separately in some stores for enterprising bakers.
Trader Joe’s is highly popular for its range of unique items, wholesome foods, and excellent prices. However, while products containing xanthan gum are available in-store, xanthan gum by itself isn’t one of the things customers can find on their shelves at this time.
For more on Trader Joe’s and xanthan gum, read on.
Does Trader Joe’s Sell Xanthan Gum?
Trader Joe’s is known for selling many items, some of them unusual, but unfortunately, xanthan gum isn’t one of them.
According to consumers and store representatives alike, it isn’t something you can find on their shelves, or their online store.
To check the current price and availability of Xanthan Gum, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
Why Doesn’t Trader Joe’s Sell Xanthan Gum?
There are many reasons Trader Joe’s might not sell xanthan gum, but it generally comes down to supply and demand, as well as profit margins. In short:
- There may not be enough demand at present for Trader Joe’s to sell xanthan gum.
- Steady production and supply may not be available.
- Production and shipping may not be cost effective.
- Market analysts may have decided against it at present for other reasons.
What Is Xanthan Gum?
Xanthan gum is an additive used as a thickening agent, or a stabilizing agent.
It’s made by fermenting simple sugars with a specific agent, and used to help bind different ingredients together and prevents them from separating.
It’s generally sold in the baking aisle of those stores that supply it.
Where Is Xanthan Gum Sold?
Xanthan Gum can be found in a number of places, and in a number of different brands. Here’s some options if you absolutely need xanthan gum:
- Whole Foods: Bob’s Red Mill Xanthan Gum, NOW Xanthan Gum
- Target: Bob’s Red Mill Xanthan Gum
- WalMart: Judee’s Xanthan Gum
- Kroger: Bob’s Red Mill Xanthan Gum
- Amazon: It’s Just Xanthan Gum
Bob’s Red Mill Xanthan Gum is the most popular brand, and the easiest to find, so if you’re looking for. And if you’re looking for the closest competitor in terms of value and product quality, Whole Foods is an excellent choice.
Are There Any Known Substitutes For Xanthan Gum?
There are actually a number of things that can be used to substitute for xanthan gum, if you’re having trouble finding it when you need it. If you need a binding and thickening agent and can’t find xanthan gum, consider one of the following:
- Unflavored Gelatin
- Need double the amount of unflavored gelatin as xanthan gum when substituting.
- This is NOT vegan, vegetarian, or kosher friendly option
- Agar agar
- Vegan option to replace gelatin
- When prepared, can replace xanthan gum in equal measure
- To prepare use 4 spoons of water to 1 tablespoon agar agar flakes, or 2 teaspoons water to 1 teaspoon of power
- Egg Whites
- Use 1 whole egg white as a substitute for every 1 tablespoon of xanthan gum
- Cornstarch
- Can be used as an easy replacement for xanthan gum
- Use the same amount as the amount of xanthan gum in recipe
- Guar Gum:
- Use a three-to-two ratio when substituting for xanthan gum: 3 parts guar gum for every 2 parts xanthan gum.
- Ground psyllium husk
- recommended to use double the recommended amount of xanthan gum in recipe
- Ground chia seeds in water
- Make with 2 parts hot water to 1 part chia seeds, and stir until it’s a thick liquid/gel.
- Use the same amount as the recommended amount of xanthan gum
- Ground flax seeds in water.
- Make with 2 parts hot water to 1 part ground flax seeds
- Use the same amount as the recommended amount of xanthan gum
- Can be made with flax meal, which is essentially ground flax seeds
Does Trader Joe’s Sell Any of the Top Xanthan Gum Substitutes?
Trader Joe’s does in fact sell several of the more common substitutes for Xanthan gum.
If you’re shopping at Trader Joe’s and don’t want to look elsewhere for xanthan gum or one of the substitutes, you can check out these options:
Unflavored Gelatin:
Trader Joe’s doesn’t sell their own brand of unflavored gelatin, but they have been known to sell Great Lakes Gelatin Co. Unflavored Collagen.
Unflavored Collagen is pretty much the same thing as unflavored gelatin, and will work the same way.
Agar Agar:
According to online reviewers, Trader Joe’s does sell this under the label of Agar Powder. but there isn’t much information on what brand exactly it’s sold under.
If you’re looking for agar agar or agar powder either one, the best place to look is the baking aisle
Egg Whites:
Trader Joe’s definitely has plenty of eggs to derive egg whites from. However they also sell their brand name Trader Joe’s 100% Cage Free Liquid Egg Whites.
They can be found in the refrigerated aisle, at about $1 per 4 ounces.
Cornstarch:
Cornstarch is one of the more common xanthan gum substitutes, and used for far more than just that purpose.
Trader Joe’s sells their own name brand cornstarch in the baking aisle.
Psyllium Husks, Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds:
These are all variations on the ground seed in water substitute for xanthan gum.
Trader Joe’s markets organic whole psyllium husks.
Trader Joe’s sells organic chia seeds
Trader Joe’s sells organic flax seeds and flax meal.
With the exception of the meal, you’ll have to grind these before use, but you can still get the base ingredients for xanthan gum substitution, and all of them are great choices for vegetarians, vegans, and those who prefer a gluten free diet.
Final Thoughts:
Trader Joe’s may not sell xanthan gum at the moment, but they sell enough substitutes for this that there’s no reason enthusiasts can’t enjoy shopping at Trader Joe’s, and picking up an easy-to-use thickening agent of their preference.
There are those who are definitely looking for xanthan gum in the aisles of Trader Joe’s, but at the moment, there are enough other options that it’s not a huge issue. Even so, it may be a market that Trader Joe’s wants to reconsider in the future.
