Pectin
Buying pectin? Pectin is a plant-based thickening agent that forms a gel when it comes into contact with water, sugar and acid. This practical ingredient is ideal if you enjoy making your own cake fillings, jam or marmalade. You can easily buy pectin on this page!
Do you enjoy baking cakes? Then you probably also prefer to make your own cake fillings, jam or marmalade to fill them with. Or perhaps you make your own jam to use as a spread on bread. A useful ingredient you can use for this is pectin, a plant-based thickening agent that forms a kind of gel when it comes into contact with water, sugar and acid.
What exactly is pectin?
Pectin is a gel-forming substance found in the cell walls of plants and is known for its binding properties. It is therefore a plant-based product that can be used as a thickening agent. This unique type of fibre is mainly found in fruit and vegetables such as lemons, cranberries, apples, blueberries and cherries. The amount of pectin varies per plant. Most pectin products are made from pectin derived from apples or citrus peels, both rich sources of this fibre. This ingredient can therefore be used as a plant-based gelling agent (gelatine). As a result, it is a suitable plant-based alternative for, among others, vegans who prefer not to use gelling agents made from animal products.
What can you use pectin for?
To give products the desired consistency, pectin is used in food production to make jelly, jam or fruit gums. Pectin acts as a binding agent that creates a gel-like structure. When added to sweet preserves such as jam and conserve, it ensures they thicken, provided enough sugar and acid (such as lemon juice) are added. If the fruit you use has a low pectin content, a larger amount of sugar is needed to achieve the desired thickness. Conversely, less sugar is required when using fruit with a high pectin content. The binding between pectin and sugar only occurs when heated. This is why sweet preserves must always be boiled to thicken properly. At a temperature of around 105 °C, the jam begins to thicken. You can use a sugar thermometer to check the temperature.
Is pectin the same as jelly sugar?
Pectin is not the same as jelly sugar, but it is a component of it. Jam sugar is sugar to which pectin and citric acid have been added. Citric acid is a substitute for lemon juice and is added to jelly sugar as fine white crystals. Pectin is added to the sugar in powdered form. Jelly sugar is therefore not only gluten-free and lactose-free, but also plant-based.
How do you use pectin?
If you are going to use pectin as a binding agent, it should be combined with water, lemon juice and sugar. The sugar binds water and, when the water is boiled, it evaporates. Due to this evaporation, the pectin molecules move closer together. The acid from the lemon juice ensures that the molecules attract each other again and form a binding network that provides thickness in the jam.
Order your pectin from Baktotaal.com!
At Baktotaal.com you will find various types of pectin from different brands and in different quantities. In our webshop you will find pectin derived from apples as well as pectin obtained from citrus peels. Choose your preferred variant, add the product to your basket and order today so you can have your pectin delivered as soon as possible.
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