How to Test the Pectin Content of Fruit

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

When making jam or jelly, it's important to know the pectin content of the fruit you're using, as this impacts the setting of the jam or jelly. This article provides a list of common fruits and whether their pectin levels are high, medium, or low. If your chosen fruit is not listed, it also provides a method to measure pectin levels. All you need to get started is a small jar and some denatured alcohol or methylated spirits.

1

Know the pectin content of various fruits.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-5.jpg\/aid1103898-v4-728px-Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This following list should help you to determine the pectin content of your fruit harvest:
    • High level of pectin : Cooking apples, lemons, blackcurrants, quinces, and green gooseberries.
    • Medium level of pectin : Plums, cooking cherries, passionfruit, rhubarb , boysenberries, blueberries, ripe gooseberries, and raspberries.
    • Low level of pectin : Strawberries, peaches, blackberries, figs, guavas, melons, loquats , eating cherries, apricots, tomatoes, and tamarillos.
    2. Advertisement
2

Simmer the chosen fruit in a little water.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-1.jpg\/aid1103898-v4-728px-Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
3

Place one teaspoon of the juice into a small jar.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-2.jpg\/aid1103898-v4-728px-Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    2. Advertisement
4

Add alcohol.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-3.jpg\/aid1103898-v4-728px-Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Gently shake it and put down. Leave to stand for one minute.
5

Check the result.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-4.jpg\/aid1103898-v4-728px-Test-the-Pectin-Content-of-Fruit-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    • A large, firm clump will tell you that the fruit contains a high level of pectin.
    • Two or three smaller, softer lumps indicate a medium level of pectin.
    • Lots of little, soft lumps tell you that the fruit is low in pectin.
    2. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I have deproteinized strawberry puree, how much pectin powder do I add to make jelly?
    Community Answer
    For making jam or jelly, 1 tablespoon is enough in 500 ml of strawberry puree.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
  • Question
    How can I get my mixture to the 220ºF temperature on an electric stove?
    Community Answer
    Is the stove on high? Perhaps the batch and the cook pot is too large. Also check your altitude. Water boils at less than 212ºF at high altitude. Measure the temperature of boiling water with your candy jam thermometer and add 8 degrees and cook the jam to this temperature.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Add 1/2 teaspoon citric acid or tartaric acid for each kilogram of uncooked fruit if you don't have lemon juice.
        Thanks
      • High pectin fruit needs about 1 to 2 cups of water per kilogram of uncooked fruit, and 2 to 3 cups of sugar per 2 cups of cooked fruit pulp.
        Thanks
      • Low pectin fruit requires a quarter cup of water per kilogram of fruit for apricots, guavas, figs, and peaches. Add the juice of 2 large or 3 medium lemons (or one large lemon for guavas and blackberries, and 4 lemons for melon).
        Thanks
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Fruit
      • Saucepan
      • Water
      • Small jar
      • Denatured alcohol or methylated spirits

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make Jam
      How to
      Make Banana Jam or Jelly
      How to
      Make Mango Jam
      How to
      Make Dragon Fruit Jam
      Advertisement

      References

      1. Julia Geljon, Ten Green Bottles . pp. 16-17, Growing Today , (February 2002) – research source

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 67,525 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement