Watermelon jelly is gaining a lot of attention from foodies. The so-summery jelly can be quite an addition to sweet and savoury dishes. It looks so satisfying and tastes so good that you will also want to try it. We bet you never knew before how the natural freshness and sweetness of watermelon can be transformed into such a royal thing. Today we are all about is watermelon jelly is good. How can you add it to your diverse menu and how you can make it too?
What is Watermelon Jelly?
Watermelon jelly is as delicious as it looks! it is a fruit-based jelly made from watermelon juice combined with sugar and Pectin which gives it a jelly-like structure. This jelly has refreshing and vibrant colours like watermelon itself, has a taste of fruit, is jam-like and can be spread on anything. You can also add other fruits to give watermelon jelly a complex and unique flavour pallet.
The basic ingredients of watermelon jelly are
- Watermelon juice for watermelon flavour of course. It gives the jelly, natural sweetness and freshness.
- Sugar adds more sweetness because it’s jelly and it has to be sweet. Also, sugar helps watermelon jelly in the preservation process.
- A gelling ingredient Pectin, gives it a jelly-like firm texture.
- Lemon juice balances the sweetness of Jelly with a hint of tartness and it also helps with Gelling process.
Why This Jelly is So Popular?
- It has a very refreshing flavour. This jelly is perfect for a light summer menu where it will bring diversity as well as a refreshing vibe to the menu. You can add it to various other dishes to make them suitable for a vast audience.
- The bright pink or red colour of the jelly brings an aesthetic vibe to the dish. It can enhance the outlook of the dish and add colour and taste to savoury dishes too.
- This jelly is very unique as it can enhance both sweet and savoury dishes and tastes finger-licking good in both palettes. Use it as a meat glaze or just spread it on toast, you will simply love it! Every restaurant and kitchen should have it!
Uses of Watermelon Jelly in a Restaurant
Well, watermelon jelly is a restaurant-worthy food and it adds a unique twist to dishes. Here is how restaurants can use watermelon jelly in their menus
- Watermelon jelly can be used in breakfast and brunch menus. Spread it on toasts, biscuits or croissants. Watermelon jelly also tastes good on waffles or pancakes. It can also be added as a layer in yoghurt parfaits with granola and fresh fruit for a visually appealing and delicious breakfast option.
- In the savoury menu, it can be used as a glaze on meat-based dishes. Restaurants can use it on roasted meats, brb q and steaks. It can balance out the savoury profile of the dish.
- This jelly is also very combinable with a cheese platter. The rich, creamy flavours of cheese, complement well with the sweetness of jelly.
- Use it as a salad dressing. Add vinegar and olive oil as well. It will give a fruity scent and base to the salad.
- Restaurants can use watermelon jelly as a filling in cakes, desserts and pastries. It can also be used as an ice cream topping for fresh and fruity vibes. Restaurants can also use watermelon jelly in layered desserts to create unique and special desserts. It can also be added to trifles and parfaits.
Is Watermelon Jelly Healthy?
Well, most people ask this question. Watermelon jelly is not a “non-healthy” option. Though it contains sugar, which means the dish has high-calorie content, when you eat it in moderation, it will do you no harm. You can add it as a part of a balanced diet to your meals.
Watermelon itself has a high water content and has vitamins C and A. Though we can’t say that jelly also delivers the nutrients of the fruit itself, it does have some of these nutrients. (most of them get lost in jelly making process).
This Jelly is very good option for vegans and people who eat gluten-free diet. Also, this is a very good low-fat option. You can substitute butter and cream-based spreads with watermelon jelly.
Is It Safe to Can Watermelon Jelly?
Yes. Watermelon jelly can be canned and it stays safe if proper procedure is followed. You can store it like any other fruit jelly and through canning, you can extend its shelf life too. For canning, you must cook it to its desired acidity level and temperature. Also, using clean and sterilized jars and properly canning them will prevent the bacteria and mould from growing.
To keep your jelly safe in cans,
- Always use fresh watermelon. You don’t want to grow the mould from within. Fresh watermelon is juicy and has a neat and clean crisp to it.
- Use tried and tested recipes and follow the proper canning method.
- Acidity level prevents the bacteria from growing. That is why adding lemon is very beneficial.
- Before canning, wash and sterilize your utensils and cans properly. Also, make sure the lids are properly sealed.
Difference Between Watermelon Jam And Jelly
Well, both jam and jelly use sugar and pectin as ingredients. However, the key difference is the texture. Jelly is made from watermelon juice and it is more clear and firm. The jam is made from crushed watermelon fruit and has a thicker texture.
Why My Jelly Did Not Set?
It is quite possible that watermelon jelly turns out to be running or is over-soft. This can happen because
- You have not added enough pectin for consistency.
- Maybe you have added enough pectin but the pectin was expired and thus not effective.
- Pectin needs a temperature of 220F to activate properly. So if you haven’t cooked it for enough time, the jelly will not set properly.
- Your watermelon had a high water content which diluted the pectin.
- Acidity is very important for gelling, make sure you have the right amount.
- Maybe the humidity level is high and jelly will take longer to set.
To reset your jelly, you can try cooking it again and add more pectin. Boil it again and let the jelly get set.