what is nigari

Nigari is a liquid that is left after salt has been extracted from seawater or brines. It contains mostly magnesium chloride and just a small amount of sodium chloride. Nigari is known for being the culinary coagulant for traditional tofu making in Japan. It is used to solidify soy milk and create tofu. Nigari adds a slight bitterness to the tofu, so getting the right amount is important. It is also used to make homemade ricotta cheese. Nigari is sometimes added to drinking water to help the body burn body fat, eliminate waste material and water, and remove excess salt. Additionally, soaking in mineral-rich water that contains nigari has been found to have many therapeutic benefits. Nigari can be purchased in stores or online, but it is also possible to extract nigari from seawater at home.