WillPowder / Modernistpantry powder vs. Generics

Hi,

Looking at buying some powders (LBG, kappa, lambda, etc.) and wanted to hear from the experts on these forums if it's worth paying the extra money for the willpowder / modernistpantry products or will the generic/bulk products on amazon work just as well?

It's clear it's only a few dollars here and there, which in the end is not a big deal. The real question is the quality the same, even though there is a price difference -- or this a typical case of you get what you pay for?

thanks for your help.

Kappa Generic 2oz - $11

http://www.amazon.com/Kappa-Carrageenan-Refined-2-Ounces/dp/B00E6P0B04/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1391189107&sr=8-5&keywords=kappa+carrageenan

Kappa Modernist pantry 2oz - $13

http://www.amazon.com/Grade-Kappa-Carrageenan-Molecular-Gastronomy/dp/B00CX32EPQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391189107&sr=8-1&keywords=kappa+carrageenan

Willpowder Xanthan - $21

http://www.amazon.com/WillPowder-Xanthan-Gum-16-Ounce-Jar/dp/B00250Y78O/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391188966&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=willpowder+xanthum

Generic Xanthan - $16

http://www.amazon.com/Xanthan-Gum-Powder-Food-Grade/dp/B0040DWCXG/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1391188896&sr=1-1&keywords=xanthum+gum

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Comments

tshewman

Try both and see? My preference is modernist pantry when precision is absolutely crucial (e.g. spherification) whereas making powders (e.g. with tapioca maltodextrin) there is more flexibility and quality may not be as noticeable.

DiggingDogFarm_65362

Do you ever order from The Spice House?

They now have small quantities of ingredients but no carrageenan......

http://www.thespicehouse.com/spices-by-category/molecular-gastronomy-ingredients

Brendan_Lee_56950

A few things I consider:

Modernist pantry has flat rate shipping and most of the stuff on amazon is not prime eligible so you are dealing with differing shipping costs
Modernist pantry has a points system so shopping with them accrues points that can be redeemed for other goods, i've ordered enough stuff to get a few things for free already
Trust factor. I feel confident that anything I get from the Modernist Pantry people is safe and food grade whereas I may have to do a little sleuthing online to make sure i'm not getting some mislabeled product from china or a non-food product with a poor description.

tshewman

Have never tried the spice house. Modernist pantry and willpowder, of course. More from modernist pantry and very impressed.

Brandon_34695

From the notes, it looks like some of the Spice House products are convenient repackaging of Texturas.