So just wanted to update everyone on the status of the failed jelly. Well as the title implies I now have jelly instead of syrup! Let this be a lesson to everyone....don't fret, most things can be fixed!
So since my brief failure led to this post lets discuss the main reasons jelly fails to set properly.
- Overcooking the mixture - this causes the pectin to break down
- An improper balance between the acid and pectin
- Not adding enough pectin
- Processing the jars too long
- And finally, the reason mine didn't turn out - Too high temperatures during processing (also breaks down the pectin)
You can find all sorts of specific ways to "fix" your jelly. Basically it entails reboiling the mixture and adding a bit more water, sugar, pectin, and some lemon juice. Also some sites will suggest you wait a couple weeks since sometimes it can take a bit of time for your jelly to set. Since I knew what happened to mine I didn't wait but that may be something you choose to do, as long as the jars are sealed properly it is safe to wait.
If you don't feel like going through the trouble of redoing it or if your second attempt "failed" then just use it as syrup on pancakes, ice cream, drink mixes, etc. Really a "failure" is quite the opposite when your talking about jelly!
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