Which ingredient is the main one in any jelly?

Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. It was first isolated and described in 1825 by Henri Braconnot. It is produced commercially as a white to light brown powder, mainly extracted from citrus fruits, and is used in food as a gelling agent, particularly in jams and jellies. It is also used in dessert fillings, medicines, sweets, as a stabilizer in fruit juices and milk drinks, and as a source of dietary fiber.

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45 Comments

Steven Iniguez

The main ingredient is fruit, followed by sugar, then pectin.. this question is wrong..

Chrissy Krainock Luders

Lilikoi Jam can be made without any pectin at all. Boiling of the skins releases a natural thickening agent.

markfoster

I always believed pectin came from animal hooves.

Val Wilkinson

No, not all fruits require pectin to make jam; jellies usually require gelatine or a veggie alternative Darlene Davidson,

Val Wilkinson

But that is jam Chrissy Krainock Luders,

Val Wilkinson

Yes they are wrong again!Paul Davies,

Val Wilkinson

Char, I think you are confused and mean jam

Val Wilkinson

Gelatine sadly tends to be used in jellies; pectin is used in jam!

james parrillo

My first thought was petroleum jelly. Then, I thought of fruit jellies and chose pectin. Thank you, Christine, James' wife

Char

tbear, you can make sweet fruit jam without the pectin buy you up the sugar. My boys Gran made it that way but when I did strawberry jam I used the pectin but less sugar.

Char

Gary Chadwick, there is a difference in jams a thick concoction of fruit. While jelly is more clear and wobbly like Jello until you spread it. So in America they are two different species of the same genre

Char

tesla alset, I say so too as everything can change about the jelly except the pectin.

Char

Chrissy Krainock Luders, you are right they use more sugar as I remember to do the job.

Char

Paul Davies, we know the difference and jelly does wobble like jello almost. Still myself I prefer Jam over Jellies no matter the fruit

Char

No matter what jelly I've made pectin remained the same while all the others varied and mixed. So I agree it is a main ingredient that is always the same.