Remedies for Jelly and Preserves Problems

Jellies

Problem: Formation of crystals

Cause	Prevention
Excess sugar.	Test fruit juice with jelmeter for proper proportions of sugar.
Undissolved sugar sticking to sides of kettle.	Wipe side of pan free of crystals with damp cloth before filling jars.
Tartrate crystals in grape juice.	Make grape jelly stock, pasteurize, and let tartrate crystals settle out before making jelly. Refrigerate juice before making jelly.
Mixture cooked too slowly or too long.	Cook at a rapid boil. Remove from heat immediately when jellying point is reached.

Problem: Too soft

Cause	Prevention
Overcooking fruit extract juice.	Avoid overcooking as this lowers the jellying capacity of pectin.
Incorrect proportions of sugar and juice.	Follow recommended instructions.
Undercooking causing insufficient concentration.	Cook rapidly to jelling point.
Insufficient acid.	Lemon juice is sometimes added if the fruit is acid deficient.
Making too large a batch at one time.	Use only 4 to 6 cups of juice in each batch of jelly.

Problem: Syneresis or “weeping.”

Cause	Prevention
Excess acid in juice makes pectin unstable.	Maintain proper acidity of juice.
Storage place too warm or storage temperature fluctuated.	Store in cool, dark, and dry place.
Paraffin seal too thick.	Seal jelly with a single thin layer of paraffin 1/8-inch thick. Prick air bubbles in paraffin.

Problem: Too stiff or tough

Cause	Prevention
Overcooking.	Cook jelly mixture to a temperature 8º higher than the boiling point of water or until it “sheets” from a spoon.
Too much pectin in fruit.	Use ripe fruit. Decrease amount if using commercial pectin.
Too little sugar which requires excessive cooking.	When pectin is not added, use 3/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup juice for most fruits.

Problem: Cloudiness

Cause	Prevention
Green fruit (starch).	Use firm, ripe, or slightly underripe fruit.
Imperfect straining.	Do not squeeze juice but let it drip through jelly bag.
Juice allowed to stand before it was poured into jars or poured too slowly.	Pour into jars immediately upon reaching jellying point. Work quickly.

Problem: Darker than normal in color

Cause	Prevention
Overcooking sugar and juice.	Avoid long boiling. Best to make small quantity of jelly and cook rapidly.

Problem: Fermentation

Spoilage evident. Do not use.

Cause	Prevention
Yeasts grow on jelly when seal is not airtight (especially in paraffin sealed jars).	Use vacuum sealing. Test seal before storing.

Problem: Mold

Denotes spoilage. Do not use.

Cause	Prevention
Imperfect sealing.	Use recommended methods to get airtight seal.
Lack of proper sanitation.	Sterilize jelly glasses and all equipment used.

Preserves

Problem: Shriveled product

Cause	Prevention
Syrup at outset is too heavy for the fruit used.	Begin fruit in syrup thin enough so this will gradually replace the liquid drawn from the fruit–thus they retain original size and shape.

Problem: Not a characteristic fruit flavor

Cause	Prevention
Overcooked or scorched.	Should be stirred frequently when mixture begins to thicken to prevent sticking. Cook only to jellying point.
Inferior fruit used.	Select only sound, good flavored fruit.

Problem: Tough product

Cause	Prevention
Starting fruit in a syrup too heavy.	Cook each fruit at first according to directions, then by evaporation, gradually increase the concentration of the syrup as it diffuses into the fruit.
Not plumping fruit properly.	Fruit should plump at least 24 hours covered in syrup before being canned.
Overcooking.	Cook according to directions.

Problem: Sticky, gummy product

Cause	Prevention
Overcooking.	Follow accepted directions for each product. (cook only until syrup is quite thick and syrup is translucent.)

Problem: Darker than normal in color

Cause	Prevention
Cooking too large quantities at a time.	It is usually best to cook not more than 2-4 pounds of prepared fruit at a time.
Cooked too slowly.	A better color is usually produced if the product is cooked rapidly.
Overcooked.	Cook only until syrup is quite thick and the fruit is fairly translucent.

Problem: Loss of color

Cause	Prevention
Improper storage.	Store in a dark, dry, cool place.

Problem: Mold or fermentation

Cause	Prevention
Improper sealing.	Jars should be sealed airtight.
Failure to process finished product.	Processing preserved product in boiling water bath (212º F) is an added protection against mold or fermentation.
Improper storage.	Store in dark, dry, cool place.