Abstract: Methods for producing an encapsulated bead comprising a droplet of a wet ingredient coated by a water-insoluble, alginate-based gel. The alginate-based coating comprises a plurality of pores having a diameter sufficient to allow the wet ingredient contained within each encapsulated bead to leach therethrough when placed within a solution. The methods for producing an encapsulated bead generally comprise the steps of preparing a first solution comprising an alginate and a first solvent and a second solution comprising a multivalent salt and a second solvent, and causing liquid drops of the first solution to come into contact with the second solution.