Homemade Jelly Making: Troubleshooting Tips

Homemade Raspberry Jelly

• What makes jelly cloudy? One or more of the following may cause cloudy jelly: Pouring jelly mixture into glasses too slowly. Allowing jelly mixture to stand before it is poured. Juice was not properly strained and so contained pulp. Jelly set too fast–usually the result of using too-green fruit.
• Why do crystals form in jelly? Crystals throughout the jelly may be caused by too much sugar in the jelly mixture, or cooking the mixture too little, too slowly, or too long. Crystals that form at the top of jelly that has been opened and allowed to stand are caused by evaporation of liquid. Crystals in grape jelly may be tartrate crystals.
• What causes jelly to be too soft? One or more of the following may be the cause: Too much juice in the mixture. Too little sugar. Mixture not acid enough. Making too big a batch at one time.
• What makes jelly syrupy? Too little pectin, acid, or sugar. A great excess of sugar can also cause syrupy jelly.
• What causes weeping jelly? Too much acid. Layer of paraffin too thick. Storage place was too warm or storage temperature fluctuated.
• What makes jelly too stiff? Too much pectin (fruit was not ripe enough or too much added pectin was used). Overcooking.
• What makes jelly tough? Mixture had to be cooked too long to reach jellying stage, a result of too little sugar.
• What makes jelly gummy? Overcooking.
• What causes fermentation of jelly? Too little sugar, or improper sealing.
• Why does mold form on jelly or jam? Because an imperfect seal has made it possible for mold and air to get into the container.
• What causes jelly or jam to darken at the top of the container? Storage in too warm a place. Or a faulty seal that allows air to leak in.
• What causes fading? Too warm a storage place or too long storage. Red fruits such as strawberries and raspberries are especially likely to fade.

Source: How to Make Jellies, Jams, and Preserves at Home, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Also check out these Vintage Jelly & Jam Making Tips.

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