But, have you ever wondered what pectin actually is? It's a natural occurring substance found in the cell walls of fruits, especially in the skin and core of apples and citrus fruits. It's like a special kind of glue that helps hold the fruit together.
Now, you might be thinking, "Wait, if pectin is naturally occurring, why do I need to add it to my jam?" Well, the thing is, when you cook your fruit, the pectin breaks down, and that's where commercial pectin comes in - to help your jam set and give it that perfect texture. It's like a little helper that makes sure your jam turns out just right.
But, here's the thing - you don't always need to use pectin to make jam. Some fruits, like strawberries and raspberries, are naturally high in pectin, so you can make jam with just the fruit and some sugar. It's like a special treat that's just waiting to be made.
