Vegan Jelly & Setting Agents (no bones)
It’s surprising how many people are unaware that many jelly brands are made with gelatine (animal bones). Same with setting agents (gelatine is made from bones, and often used to make ‘set desserts’ like panna cotta (cooked cream). But there are plenty of plant-based alternatives for both recipes, jelly mixes and setting agents.
Before cooking, read up on food safety for people and pets (citrus is unsafe near animal friends). Bin citrus scraps, as acids may harm compost creatures (same with rhubarb, tomato and alliums – onion, leeks, garlic, shallots, chives). It’s okay to put them in food waste bins (made into biogas).
For tinned foods, fully remove lids (put inside) or pop ring-pulls back over holes (and pinch top opening closed) before recycling, to avoid wildlife getting trapped.
Wibble Vegan Jelly Mix (and setting agent)
Wibble is a small artisan food company that creates lovely plant-based natural low-calorie jelly mixes, rather than conventional jelly, which often is made with gelatine (animal bones) and artificial flavours and food dyes.
The founder grew up loving jelly, but soon realised it had lost its ‘wobbly appeal’, when she realised the nasty ingredients that often go into making it. After countless kitchen experiments, her jelly was so successful, that it’s now stocked in many schools, hospitals and even military sites nationwide.
If your kerbside does not recycle packaging, save it up and recycle at supermarket bag bins, next time you’re passing.
Just 20 calories per serving, you get 4 servings per sachet. Just add boiling water, leave to cool and chill for ready-made jelly in an hour. Flavours include:
- Forest Fruits
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Orange
This brand also makes Vege-Gel, which can be used to replace gelatine in any recipes. Just add to cold water to dissolve, then boil. One pack can set up to 5 pints of liquid.
You can also buy reusable BPA-free jelly moulds, perfect to serve your Wibble jelly at parties or for picnics.
Just Wholefoods Quick Set Jelly Crystals
Just Wholefoods Vegan Jelly is made with natural ingredients, and is also free from gelatine (animal bones) unlike most jelly mixes. Very simple to make, just mix the crystals with boiling water, leave to cool and set in the fridge. You could also mix with plant milk, to make ‘milk jellies’. Or mix with fresh fruits, and chill in individual pots or moulds.
1 pint of jelly should serve four people. Serve with vegan ice-cream or custard. Sold in four flavours:
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Lemon
- Tropical
The jellies are made with natural ingredients from a small artisan food company based in the Cotswolds. Sweetened with raw cane sugar, they are made with carrageenan and locust bean gum (gelling agents) and flavoured with natural fruits and dyed naturally.
For example, the raspberry and strawberry jellies are coloured with beetroot powder and the lemon with curcumin (turmeric – not too much, it’s not curried jelly!)
Just Wholefoods Vegeset is a plant-based alternative to gelatine, ideal for all your savoury and sweet recipes. It works with any kind of liquid (including plant milks), just sub for gelatine in any recipe. 1 pack (25g) sets up to 5 pints.
Agar agar (the go-to swap for vegan setting)
Agar (often called agar agar) comes from seaweed. It’s popular because it sets strongly and doesn’t need the fridge to start gelling. In other words, it will begin to set as it cools, even at room temperature. That makes it brilliant for layered jellies where you don’t want each layer to take hours.
Although some people with iodine/thyroid issues should avoid seaweed, this is very mild so should be fine. Check medication or speak to your GP.
