In the course of planning Jello desserts, you may have come across product terms that confused you. One such instance is when products are labeled as either jelly or Jello.
After all, you may assume that Jello is another term for jelly. As such, you might be wondering whether Jello and jelly are the same things. I looked into it, and here is what I found!
Is Jello The Same As Jelly?
Jello is a term derived from the popular gelatin brand Jell-O. Currently, all flavored gelatins are typically called Jello due to their association with the Jell-O brand. Additionally, flavored gelatin is also called a jelly, which makes Jello and jelly almost the same thing. However, while all Jello is considered a jelly, not all jelly can be called a Jello.
If you are interested to learn more about the similarities between Jello and jelly as well as if they are interchangeable, keep reading!
Is Jello Just Jelly?
Jello is a type of jelly and with the success of the Jell-O brand, people have begun to call all jellies Jello.
While people are not entirely incorrect, the fact remains that Jello and jelly are not exactly the same thing.
Can You Use Jello Instead of Jelly?
When referring to flavored gelatin, people have interchangeably used jelly and Jello. In the process, both terms have become acceptable when referring to the same product.
When it comes to cooking, Jello can be used instead of other types of jellies because they produce similar outputs, but Jello might not be an acceptable alternative to jelly all the time.
What Is The Difference Between Jello And Jelly?
While Jello and jelly are interchangeable terms and have many similarities, they also have plenty of differences.
Technically, jelly is a preserve that consists of sweetened fruit juice and pectin, the ingredient used for setting the liquid. As such, jelly is considered modified gelatin.
On the other hand, Jello is jelly that is commercially prepared and made of water, gelatin, sugar, and food colors.
What Is The Difference Between Gelatin And Jelly?
Jelly is made from gelatin, and both jelly and gelatin are traditionally translucent. However, jelly contains additives like fruit juice and sweeteners.
In comparison, gelatin is plain in both taste and appearance. While gelatin has several functions, jelly can only be used to create or enhance food.
What Is The Difference Between Jello And Gelatin?
Gelatin is a flavorless and translucent superfood made from collagen. Moreover, gelatin contains no additives and is used in numerous industries.
Some of the industries where gelatin is used are pharmacology, cosmetic, food, and photographic industries.
In comparison, Jello is made from gelatin and comes in numerous colors and flavors. Additionally, Jello tends to have plenty of sugar.
Furthermore, Jello is only used in the food industry and is made primarily for consumption.
What Is The Difference Between Jelly And Jam?
Jelly is produced from gelatin and fruit or vegetable juice. Additionally, jelly has a clear color and can be made without pectin, which is the key ingredient in gelatin.
Nonetheless, the ideal jelly is supposed to have pectin so that the jelly can retain its shape.
In comparison, jam does not use pectin and is made with ground or crushed fruit. Unlike jellies, jams do not have a firm and steady shape.
Moreover, jams are richer in flavor and color, and jams tend to have fruit chunks that make them delectable spreads.
What Is Australian Jelly?
Australian jelly is the same as the premixed jelly brands in the US. However, one brand stands out, and that is Aeroplane Jelly.
With the tenure and popularity of Aeroplane Jelly in Australia, Aeroplane Jelly has become a brand often associated with Australian jelly just like Jell-O is associated with flavored gelatin in the US.
Is Jello The Same As Australian Jelly?
Aeroplane Jelly is the brand often considered Australian jelly. Like Jello or Jell-O, Aeroplane Jelly is made from food colors, sweeteners, and gelatin.
While Jello and Aeroplane Jelly have many similarities, they also have nuances in their ingredients that make them distinct jelly brands.
However, for cooking purposes, both Jello and Aeroplane Jelly yield the same results.
What’s In Jello Gelatin?
Jello is made primarily from gelatin, which is derived from an animal protein called collagen.
Traditionally, collagen comes from the bones and hides of animals like pigs and cows. After boiling, drying, and treating the bones and hides, the collagen is extracted to make gelatin.
Is Jello Just Flavored Gelatin?
Jello is flavored gelatin that is used primarily in the food industry to produce jelly desserts.
What Is A Jelly In The UK?
Jelly in the UK and the US are the same things. However, since Jell-O became so popular in the US that it became associated with jelly, Americans tend to prefer ‘Jello’ over ‘jelly.’
Meanwhile, people in the UK call jellied desserts ‘jelly,’ not ‘Jello.’
Additionally, Americans also refer to jelly as ‘jam’, which is a fruit spread and not made with gelatin like jelly is.
Can I Buy Jello In The UK?
Jello, which is referred to as jelly in the UK, can be bought in almost every retail store in different formats under different brands.
Additionally, the brand Jell-O is also available in the UK and can be bought almost anywhere through online stores.
Can I Use Jelly Instead Of Gelatin?
In cooking, it is possible to use jelly instead of gelatin. However, you have to take note that jelly has sugar, which will impact the recipe you are using.
Nevertheless, if you need gelatin for purposes outside of cooking, jelly is not a good alternative. After all, jelly is made for cooking and has little use outside of the food industry.
Check out our related articles to learn if Jello is the same as jelly, how long Jello shots take to set, and if Jello is kosher.
Conclusion
Jello is a type of jelly, and jelly is modified gelatin. While Jello, jelly, and gelatin have similarities, they are distinct ingredients that have different uses.
Generally, Jello is jelly that has been infused with food color and other additives. Additionally, Jello comes in a wide assortment of colors, while Jello and gelatin are both translucent.
Moreover, jelly is not flavored the same way Jello is. When making jelly, fruit or vegetable juices are used. As for gelatin, gelatin is not flavored at all and can be used in numerous industries.