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what is clear gel made of

by Waldo Champlin Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Clear Jel® is a chemically modified corn starch that produces excellent sauce consistency even after fillings are canned and baked. Other available starches break down when used in these pie fillings, causing a runny sauce consistency.Dec 7, 2021

What is clear Jel made of?

Clear Jel is a modified corn starch made to withstand the heat of canning. Use it just like you would flour. The wonderful difference is…it stirs in much easier, without clumping. Be sure you purchase the non-instant Clear Jel or regular type Clear Jel. The regular is made to withstand the high temperatures of canning.

What is the difference between thick gel and clearjel?

Thick Gel is the one you would want for canning, as the measurements and behaviour would appear to be equivalent. (That being said, according to Cornaby’s if you are using their Thick Gel, you can actually cut back on the thickener a bit. They say, “1 Tablespoon Clearjel=¾ Tablespoon Thick Gel.”)

What is clear gel used for in Canning?

What is clear gel for canning? Clear Jel (spelled with one “L”) is a modified food starch that is used as a thickening agent in canning recipes. It is most commonly used in canned apple pie filling, but can also be used in other pie fillings, other preserves, canned soups, etc. Clear Jel has nothing to do with the safety of your canned product.

What is clearjel and where is it made?

It is made by the Ingredion company (formerly the National Starch and Chemical Company) of Bridgewater, New Jersey. There are two types of Clearjel: the regular, which is the type that is used in home canning and which this page focusses on, and an instant version, which might be of use in some DIY mixes for home, but is another topic altogether.

Is there a substitute for Clear Jel?

No, when canning pie filling, there is no substitute for Clear Jel®. Other thickeners like cornstarch clump when canning and may interfere with heat being able to reach throughout the jar.

How do you make Clear Jel?

Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour into jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath or freeze. 3 3/4 cups peaches 1/4 cup lemon juice 7 tablespoons Clear Jel® Sugar to taste (approx.

Is Clear Jel the same as cornstarch?

Clear Jel is a modified corn starch made to withstand the heat of canning. Use it just like you would flour. The wonderful difference is…it stirs in much easier, without clumping. Be sure you purchase the non-instant Clear Jel or regular type Clear Jel.

How do I substitute cornstarch for Clear Jel?

Clear Jel is a superior version of cornstarch because it tolerates higher temperatures and works well with all types of ingredients including acidic ones. Use as a thickener in pies, stews, sauces, gravies and pudding. Use 1/4 cup of Clear Jel for every 1 quart of liquid.

Is clear gel like gelatin?

Clear Jel is not for jam and jelly, and it is not for jello. It is mainly for thickening pie fillings. If you are just making a fresh pie, you can use several different things to thicken that pie: You can use cornstarch, tapioca, or flour.

Is pectin the same as Clear Jel?

Could they be used interchangeably, she asked? Unfortunately, the answer is no. While they both have thickening properties, they act upon the fruit in jams and jellies differently. Pectin is a water-soluble fiber that is divided into very fine particles.

Can I use Sure Jell in place of clear gel?

NO – You do not have to use it! This eliminates the need of tracking down Clear Jel. Skipping it has no bearing on the safety of the recipe. But make a note on the jar that you need to add a thickener at baking time.

Is it OK to use cornstarch in canning?

It's fine to use flour and corn starch in modern canning recipes. It's fine to use flour and corn starch as thickener when modern, tested recipes from reputable sources call for it. These recipes have been lab-tested to ensure their safety.

What is the best thickener for fruit pies?

When thickening a fruit pie filling, there are several options to consider. Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency.

What is clear jel?

Clear Jel is a modified corn starch made to withstand the heat of canning. Use it just like you would flour. The wonderful difference is…it stirs in much easier, without clumping. Be sure you purchase the non-instant Clear Jel or regular type Clear Jel.

Is clear jelly a pectin?

Answer: Sure Gel is a pectin. You use it in jams and jellie, whereas Clear Jel is what you want for pies. NCHFP standards do not recommend flour or cornstarch, but most state extensions don’t really state that it is for safety. However, there is one extension at least that DOES indicate a safety issue.

Can cornstarch be used in jars?

However, using cornstarch or tapioca may cause the filling to be too thick for the heat to penetrate to the center of the jar and kill spoilage organisms throughout the product, which is a food safety issue.

What is clearjel made of?

Products made with it survive freezing well. Clearjel is a modified starch made from corn. It contains amylo pectin, but is less expensive than commercial pectin. It is used as a stabilizer in foods such as pies, particularly in commercial pie baking and in place of corn starch in fruit pie fillings. It can also be used in preserves such as jams ...

What is clear jelly used for?

It can also be used in preserves such as jams and jellies and fruit butters, in place of pectin. It is currently (2014) the only thickener approved for use in home canning (aka bottling) by the American National Center for Home Food Preservation. Clearjel A: (Also referred to as “regular” or “cook type” Clearjel.

How much Clearjel should I use for whipping cream?

Cooking Tips. Per 4 cups of fruit, use 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons of Clearjel. When whipping whipped cream, a few teaspoons of Instant Clearjel can increase the stability life of your whipped cream.

How long does it take for clear jelly to set?

Use for freezer jams, syrups, pie fillings, custard-type puddings. Instant Clearjel: This is sold already cooked, and reaches its full set in 10 minutes. No cooking is needed.

Is thermo flo good for pie filling?

Sources. [1] “ThermFlo is an acceptable alternative to use in canned pie fillings because it is also stable during heating and exhibits about the same viscosity during heating as regular Clearjel . It also has the added advantage of holding up well during storage.”.

Is ClearJel the correct spelling?

It’s as difficult to find the correct spelling of Clearjel as it is the product itself: you will see Clear Jel, ClearJel, etc. The maker (Ingredion) and all filings at the US patent office referencing the product use the spelling of Clearjel®. Consequently, we have opted to go with that.

Can you use Clearjel for pie filling?

This is sold not already cooked, and needs to be cooked. Dissolve first in cold water. Use for pie fillings, sauces, gravies. This is the Clearjel to use if you are planning to use it for home canning.

What is thick gel?

Thick Gel is the one you would want for canning, as the measurements and behaviour would appear to be equivalent. (That being said, according to Cornaby’s if you are using their Thick Gel, you can actually cut back on the thickener a bit. They say, “1 Tablespoon Clearjel=¾ Tablespoon Thick Gel.”) E-Z Gel. Thick Gel.

Where is ClearJel made?

Clearjel, which is a proprietary name, is made by the Ingredion company (formerly the National Starch and Chemical Company) of Bridgewater, New Jersey. PermaFlo®, ThermFlo® and Thick Gel® are commercial equivalents that have been accepted equally along with Clearjel by some University Extensions. (p.s. note the correct spelling of Clearjel®!)

What is Clearjel starch?

Clearjel® is a modified corn starch that has been accepted by the USDA and the National Center for Home Food Preservation for a single canning application as of 2015, which is for use as a thickener in some fruit pie fillings. Beyond that, it has also been accepted for a few additional tested canning applications by some University Extensions, ...

When was Clearjel first used?

The very first okay (“recommendation”, in USDA terms) for using Clearjel in an approved canning recipe happened in 1988. It was for use in a canned apple pie filling; the recommendation was based on research that had been done earlier in the 1980s by Kuhn et al. at the Pennsylvania State Center of Excellence.

Can you substitute clearjel for corn starch?

Clearjel alternatives. The National Center for Home Food Preservation says that in the USDA pie filling recipes, you must use Clearjel and can make no substitute. There is no substitution for Clearjel® that can be made in these recipes. This means do not use other corn starch, flour, tapioca, or other thickener in our recipes.”.

Is clear jelly thick?

Some people say that when Clearjel is used in the quantities the USDA calls for, it makes the mixture more like a jelly than a pie filling. “As to what many of us don’t like about canning with Clear Jel – when used in the amounts called for in some recipes it is often TOO thick, almost jelled.

Does Ball use Clearjel?

On their web site, Ball extended the range of pie fillings using Clearjel by providing a recipe for Rasp berry Pie Filling thickened with Clearjel (recipe lost by them in a web site rearrange in 2020.)

1. They blast it with lasers

With all the components that go into Clear Gel, keeping the mixture clear as crystal is no easy feat. Gillette scientists test for clarity by standing up the transparent bottle and shooting a red laser through the gel inside. If the contents are cloudy, the red light will diffract and shoot out the other side at an oblique angle.

5. They bake it in a tanning bed

Temperature isn’t the only environmental hazard they test for -- UV radiation in the form of excessive sunlight is just as likely to screw up the chemistry of a product, especially one sold from Boston to Brazil at venues from supermarkets to open-air markets.

6. They used crazy math to design the perfect container

Engineers developed a complex algorithm to identify the exact number of holes needed in the bottle to push out the ideal amount of gel. Just two twists of the dial will do you on the odor and wetness protection front for up to an impressive 48 hours.

What is clear jelly?

Clear Jel is a waxy maize or corn starch that has been modified to resist break down under high temperatures and different pH levels. Therefore, it is an ideal thickening agent and is widely used commercially. Clear Jel is recommended for home canning of pie fillings as it will not break down as the pie filling is cooked in preparation for canning, heated during the canning process, and heated a third time as the pie is baked. Products, including pie fillings, thickened with Clear Jel also freeze well.

What is the difference between regular and instant clear jel?

Regular must be used for canning . Instant Clear Jel will thicken foods without heat; it thickens when liquid is added. This makes Instant Clear Jel useful for thickening a room temperature sauce or dressing. Regular, on the other hand, requires heat.

What is the starch in sure jell?

Pectin is a type of starch, called a hetero-polysaccharide, that occurs naturally in the cell walls of fruits and vegetables giving them structure. Most commercial pectins, made from apple pomace or citrus rinds, are sold as a dry powder or in liquid form. When combined with sugar and acid, pectin makes jams and jellies develop a semisolid, gelled texture when they cool.

How long is clear jel good for?

There is differing information on the shelf life of Clear Jel; most agree that in a tightly closed container, it should be good for 1 year in the pantry but some list up to 2 years.

How to thicken clear jel?

If preparing a gravy or sauce, mix Clear Jel with a small amount of water and gradually add to the hot mixture, stirring constantly . Or, everything can be mixed together cold and then heated (stirring constantly) to thicken.

How long does pie filling last?

Jars of pie filling will keep the same consistency after processing, remain shelf stable for at least 12 months, and bake into a perfect pie by simply pouring the filling into a crust and topping as desired. There will be no starch or flour taste in the filling. There are two types of Clear Jel, Regular and Instant.

Can you use clear jelly for pie filling?

Clear Jel is recommended for home canning of pie fillings as it will not break down as the pie filling is cooked in preparation for canning, heated during the canning process, and heated a third time as the pie is baked. Products, including pie fillings, thickened with Clear Jel also freeze well. Cornstarch, tapioca, or flour should not be used in ...

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