Pectin

Pectin for setting jam

Pectins are gel-forming compounds that are suitable for use by vegetarians and vegans.

Commercially, pectin is extracted from fruit and you can get apple pectin or citrus pectin for use as a gelling agent in jams.

High Methylester Pectin - Traditional Jams

High methylester pectin High methylester pectin requires a minimum amount of soluble solids (SS) and a pH around 3.0 or lower in order to form a gel. (Geun Pectin Book page 4) This is why you need all that sugar, which is the soluble solids referred to, and lemon juice to lower the pH, added to most traditional jams.

Low Methylester Pectin - Low/No Sugar Jams

Low methylester pectin requires the presence of a controlled amount of calcium, or other divalent cations, to form a gel. You do not need to worry about the science behind it all. What you do need to know is that low methylester pectin does not need sugar to gel, but instead needs calcium, which usually comes with the pectin when purchasing this product. All my low sugar jam recipes will tell you just how much pectin and how much calcium to use.

Shelf life of Traditional and Low or No Sugar Jams;

Sealed and Processed - Unopened.

When correctly sealed and processed in a boiling water bath for the specified time, where a vacuum is created, both traditional and low or no sugar jams will last years without refrigeration. We recommend 12 months to be very conservative.

Traditional Jam - Opened

Due to the high sugar content, these jams will last in the fridge for several months. 

Low or No Sugar Jam - Opened

With the reduced sugar once opened a jar of low or no-sugar jam will last about one week out of the fridge. If refrigerated low and no-sugar jams will last about 30 days.

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