Various naturally occurring arrangements of com- ponents create three basic types of carrageenan, commonly referred to as kappa (K), iota and lambda (h) carrageenan . Variations of these components influence gel strengths, texture, solubility, synergisms and melting temperatures of the carrageenan. These variations are controlled and created by seaweed selection. processing and blending of extracts. the thickening and gelling mech. As can be observed in Figure 2.5, example, kappa anisms of these three components are quite different. For