Comparison
Magnesium chloride vs Calcium sulfate
The short answer
On a tofu package, magnesium chloride is nigari and calcium sulfate is gypsum. Both are minerals, both fit the diets we check, and both are rated generally safe. Use the one the recipe names. They are not a one-for-one swap.| Side by side | Magnesium chloride (Nigari) | Calcium sulfate |
|---|---|---|
| Safety score | 90/100 Generally safe | 94/100 Generally safe |
| What it is | A magnesium salt, E511 | Purified gypsum, E516 |
| Usual label | Magnesium chloride or nigari | Calcium sulfate or gypsum |
| US status | GRAS, and listed as a firming agent | GRAS firming agent and flour treatment |
| Best known for | Nigari tofu | Chinese-style tofu and bread |
| Diets we check | Fits all six | Fits all six |
Swapping one for the other
Do not swap them 1:1 in tofu. A nigari recipe and a gypsum recipe use different amounts. Follow the coagulant the recipe names.
Common questions
Which tofu coagulant is safer?
Both are minerals rated generally safe here. The choice on the package is texture and tradition, not a warning label.