Use the thickening agent pectin correctly

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Vegetarians in particular can use pectin in the kitchen instead of gelatine. This thickener consists of purely vegetable substances and is mainly made from apples and citrus fruits.

You can make jam with pectin.
You can make jam with pectin.

The word pectin is derived from the Greek word pektos, which translates as solid or solidified. This already names the most important property of pectins.

What is pectin?

  • Pectins are substances that occur in many plants in different amounts and compositions. There they ensure the stability of the stems, leaves and flowers and regulate the water balance. Hard fruits like citrus fruits contain a lot of pectin, while soft fruits like strawberries are usually low in pectin.
  • The pectins are obtained mainly from the peel of apples and citrus fruits, from which they are made with the help of hot water be detached.
  • In the industry, pectin is used as a thickener for Food, Cosmetics and other products used. If it is used for the production of food, this can be recognized by the number E440 in the list of ingredients of the product. It is considered to be harmless to health and can therefore be used in unlimited quantities and also for organic food.
  • In the household it can be used like gelatine and is therefore particularly used in the production of jams, desserts, cake icings and baked goods.
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How to use this thickener

  • You can buy pectin in liquid or powder form. Gelling sugar for making jams, jellies and jams also often contains pectin as a thickening agent.
  • You stir this powder like gelatine into a liquid and heat it up. It dissolves at a temperature of 80 ° to 85 ° C and, after cooling, causes the entire mass to solidify.
  • If you use this thickener for making jam If you want to use, you need around 20 to 30 grams of pectin for one kilogram of fruit. Mix this with 50 grams of sugar and add it to the fruit. Briefly boil the whole thing, add another 450 grams of sugar and let the jam cook for a few minutes. After that, you can pour the jam into jars and seal them.

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