Hydrophyllic

Having an affinity for water; readily absorbing or dissolving in water.  In the case of hydrocolloids, colloid particles are spread throughout water and depending on the quantity of water available can take on different states, e.g., gel or sol.

References: The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

                   Aki Kamozawa and H.Alexander Talbot of Ideas in Food.