Crab Apple Jelly - won't set

[Sue-the-cat]

It wont set!!!! Did as the recipe said, didn't set so reboiled it all and reduced it by 2 jars. Still no set, added gelatine to it - still runny. Any suggestons what I can add to it to make it set please?

[zzxxee]

there is a product you can buy called jamset to set jelly it works for me i think it is something to do with a lack of pectine why jelly doesnt set

[madmaggot]

There should be plenty of pectin in crab apples, are you sure you didn't over boil it initially?

[Sue-the-cat]

Can you over boil it? Never made before so I may have done. Which shop would I go to to get jamset please?

[zzxxee]

i got jamset from my local market they may have it in supermarkets in the home baking isle you could always try adding more pectin failing that it would make a nice pancake syrup sauce xx

[madmaggot]

Yes you can overboil it.
If you don't have a sugar thermometer you need to watch the pan carefully; when the jam comes to the boil it will rise higher in the pan, turn the heat down to gently keep it at that level, after a time the jam will be seen to get lower in the pan; this is when it is at setting point.

[coccinelle]

As this is the first time did you:
first boil the fruit in water (without sugar)?
add sufficient sugar to the fruit once it had boiled?
let it boil long enough to reach setting point?
Crab apples have enough pectin without adding any so one of these points have failed.

[Clanad]

To add only a little more for clarification... the setting point can be determined by temperature... or... you can dip a largish wooden spoon in your mixture and hold over the pan. As the mixture reaches the setting point the liquid will "sheet" off the spoon, rather than just running off. You'll recognize it once you see it...

[ladyalex]

I don't know what you can do to make this batch set.....if you keep on boiling it you may be heading for apple toffee...
However, for the next batch of jam or jelly, try jam sugar which most supermarkets sell. It is sugar with added pectin, so your jam always sets.