Liquids Are So 2015. Here’s How to Package Them in Spheres

[Narrator] Liquids.

They're so liquidy.

But we've got a quick and easy way to trap them

in beautiful little spheres, no less.

This, my friends, is reverse spherification.

And it's a fancy way to package delicious juices

for your dishes.

Start with a flavorful liquid of your choosing.

Then drop in calcium lactate gluconate.

Let's call it calcium salt.

And blend until it's dissolved.

As for proportions, you should be adding calcium salt

equal to 2% of the liquid's weight.

We'll wait while you figure that out.

Give the mix some time to settle so air bubbles can escape.

Be free, bubbles!

Next, fill a bowl with pre-made alginate,

and two others with plain old water.

Now you're ready to spherificate.

Use a deep measuring spoon to scoop out your juice.

Position the spoon just above the surface of the alginate

and pour the liquid in.

You'll see the liquid form into a sphere

as it drops to the bottom.

What's happening is the alginate is instantly forming into a

gel as it reacts with the calcium ions in the juice's salt,

so you end up with a shell surrounding

your delicious liquid.

Think of it like a Gusher fruit snack, only healthier.

Now gently stir the alginate to make sure

the shell is firming up.

After 30 seconds of this, transfer the sphere

to the water bath, and stir a bit more.

Then transfer once more to a holding bath the water.

With some practice, you'll be able to form

several spheres simultaneously.

Just be sure to constantly stir the alginate bath

so the spheres don't stick together.

And there you have it.

Liquid finally contained.