Calcium Hydroxide

Mineral

Slaked lime, food-grade — used in trace amounts to set jellies and to alkalize traditional Chinese desserts.

Where it comes from

Industrial chemical, food-grade; long used in traditional Chinese cooking for ice-jelly, hominy-style nixtamal, and zongzi.

In the kitchen

Calcium hydroxide, or slaked lime, is a food-grade mineral used in trace amounts to set jellies and to alkalize traditional Chinese desserts. It is an industrial chemical that has long been used in traditional Chinese cooking, especially for making ice-jelly and other gelatinous desserts.