GingerK

I know someone will have the answer to this question because not only are you all such wonderful quilters, you are fantastic cooks, bakers and canners.

Does pectin lose its thickening ability with age? I have a couple of packages from last year. Do I have to throw them out and buy new or will they still thicken my raspberry jelly?

TIA everyone.

quilter1

There should be an expiry date on the package. If it is only from last year, I would go ahead and use it, I know that pie fillings, like lemon, will loose their setting ability over time. Ask me how I know?

sewmuch

From last year I would use them, I have done that w/plum jelly this year and it jelled. It also should have a date on it..

nanacc

I have used some from ??, but you should not take my advice. I sometimes make some good cherry or apricot SYRUP! My DGS and his family don't seem to care. They like jelly and jam, but my goofs with the syrup seem to please them also! LOL

GingerK

Thanks! I think I'll give it a go since I am also using some fruit that I had frozen last autumn. If it is a total bust, well, lesson learned and lots of syrup for pancakes.

Annaquilts

Just use a little extra but I think from last year they should be fine. What are you making?

GingerK

Raspberry cranberry jam and probably half a recipe of raspberry jelly. Don't know how I managed to freeze so many raspberries. Thank goodness I just rinsed and froze. No sugar added at the time.

psailer

I have used them sometimes they don't jell hard but seem to be just as good tasting my fav is jalapeno jelly... and it is very hard to find in the stores and my hubby loves it so I make it often... good luck let me know if it works for you.

tessagin

When in doubt, throw it out. Is it worth ruining a good batch of jam or jelly for a couple bucks?

carolynjo

Nowadays the SureJell lasts several years. Look for the expiration date on the end of the package.