What Is Dry Pectin?

Individuals who enjoy creating their own jams, jellies and butters from homegrown fruit, but who have limited time can benefit by including dry pectin in their recipes. This cooking ingredient greatly reduces the recipe cooking time.

Function

Pectin is an ingredient jam and jelly makers add to the recipe to aid the thickening process and reduce overall cooking time. Dry pectin, or regular pectin, is a powered substance derived from the inner peel of fruits, especially citrus fruits including lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits.

Benefits

Dry pectin is a gelling agent enhances fruit flavors. Furthermore, the traditional boiling method can reduce nutritional value of the final product due to overcooking and evaporation. Dry pectin recipes also require less sugar.

Considerations

Pectin is also available in a liquid or gel form. In addition to this, jam or butter makers can choose from formulas that include low or no sugar if they are conscientious about the amount of sugar in regular, dry pectin. The user can then add additional sugar or a sweetening agent as needed.

References

• Pick Your Own: Pectin
• Gourmet Sleuth: Pectin