Maple jelly

[Wanabe1972]

I want to try a batch of maple jelly tonight as I have had a few requests. I found the recipe on the maple handbook but was wondering what to do to prep my containers. I got brand new jelly jars and lids. Thanks Jeff

[Super Sapper]

Just make sure they are clean. Do not go over syrup concentration as the jelly will crystalize just like syrup.

[BCPP]

Not sure at what temp you pack jelly but if it's not above 180F then you will need to sterilize the jars, either by heating in the oven or immersing in boiling water for 2 min. I assume with jelly you're not going to want to invert them so you will probably need to sterilize the jars anyways so that the area above the jelly level is sterile. Ditto with the lids. Bacteria love sugar so if you leave any alive inside the sealed jars they will happily multiply! Of course if it's really good jelly it might get consumed long before that can happen!!

[jrm]

[QUOTE=BCPP;370066]Bacteria love sugar so if you leave any alive inside the sealed jars they will happily multiply!/QUOTE]

I thought the reason syrup never goes bad, even once open, is because of its high sugar concentration. Though, yes, when I bottle, I heat my bottles and invert to sterilize.

[BCPP]

Sugar + water + bacteria+air = growth! Syrop will grow mold on the surface. Is usually a very slow process because there is little air inside the bottle and generally very few spore, even if you dont invert. There are also anaerobic bacteria that dont need the air! Over the years I've opened several bottles to be greeted by a mold on the surface or, even more appetizing, slime mold that turns it into a slime!

[Super Sapper]

As far as temp for packing, you need to boil off the water used to mix the Genugel in and I pack it when it reaches the same temperature as the syrup was at to start.

[Wanabe1972]

Thanks for all the replies i have been too busy to try it yet.

[crystal falls]

Not having much luck with making maple jelly. Today I used 1/2 gal of syrup, 2 cups of water with two teaspoons of gentertel mixed in with aid of blender. Heated up to 220. Skimmed. Kept on low heat (not going over 220) and then skimmed off the foam, and poured into clean hot jars and water bath for 10 minutes. It is running in most of the jars. Looks like I am going to have to reheat and add more gentergel but how much? This is my second batch and still not getting it right. It has only been couple of hours but normally when making regular jelly if it not does not set in couple of hours it will probably not. Advise please...

[Super Sapper]

I add the 2 teaspoons of Genugel to 3 cups of water and use a whisk to blend it. Give it 10 to 15 minutes to dissolve whisking it a little every few minutes. Try a Tablespoon on the next batch and if it is too thick you can blend it with a thinner batch and reheat. I tried mixing the Genugel with a small chopper and it did not work well.

It may seem a little thin warm but check after cooling in the fridge and find the consistency you like. Grade of syrup can also affect it.