If you'd like to make the most all-natural jam, jelly, marmalade or preserve that you possibly can, you will be interested in how to make your own pectin. Pectin is a naturally occurring substance (a polysaccharide) found in berries, apples and other fruit. When heated together with sugar, it causes a thickening that is characteristic of jams and jellies.
Your grandmother probably didn't use commercial pectin. Instead she stood over a hot, boiling pot, stirring and getting splattered by hot jam until she cooked the vitamins out of it and it finally cooked down to a thicker consistency. Or if she was very knowledgeable, she made her own pectin. She made it from apples and while doesn't change the flavor a bit, it helped her thicken the jam faster and allowed her to use less sugar!
If you want to know more about pectin, what it is and how it works, see this page. Otherwise, continue below and we will see how to make pectin at home.
That is the big question... and difficult to answer. The pectin content of fruit varies so much, even within a season, that almost anything I could tell you about how much of your homemade pectin to use with the fruit you picked or bought would be meaningless. Both would vary considerably.
So, instead, I'll tell you how to figure out the right formula for your own pectin. Here are the questions to answer:
Samples of Commercially Available Pectin
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Pectin is commonly sold in large grocery stores, like Publix and Kroger, housewares sections of stores like local "big box" stores, and online. We have affiliate programs with two suppliers:
Supplier | No-sugar pectin (This is my top choice, since you can use no sugar, sugar, honey and/or Stevia (in a prepared form like Truvia, it measures same as sugar; if you use another form, you will need do your own conversion) - or Splenda, if you prefer, and it will set!) |
Regular pectin I still think you should use the no-sugar version (at left), even if you want to add sugar!) |
Low sugar methoxyl pectin (Pomona) Best for tough sets, like pepper jellies |
MCP - Modified Citrus Pectin Made with fruit pectin and citric acid |
Freezer jam pectin |
Liquid pectin | low sugar pectin |
Online stores | It is hard to find - but the no-sugar pectin works well with sugar, too |
Water bath canner with a jar rack
Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto 23Qt or T-fal 22Qt
Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)
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