An important additive used in applications from food manufacturing, modernist cuisine, and gluten-free baking. Xanthan gum is a light beige, talcum-like powder made from simple fermented sugars that won't alter the taste or colour of food. It's soluble in hot and cold water and is heat and pH stable. In food manufacturing, it's used to emulsify salad dressing, so herbs and spices remain suspended, and to thicken products containing vinegar or alcohol. In modernist cuisine, it's used in the process of spherification, and in gluten-free baking, it gives bread and baked goods structure.