Pectin. What is it and how is it used?

We often hear about the beneficial properties that pectin possesses . What is this is not known to everyone. To begin with, this is a gluing agent (polysaccharide), which is formed from galacturonic acid. It is found in many products of plant origin. These are fruits, vegetables, root vegetables and even algae.

Most often its use is found in such industries as the food and pharmaceutical industry. In the factory, pectin is produced from the residues left after the processing of citrus fruits, apples, beets, and sunflower. Confectionery factories successfully use in their activities all the useful properties of this substance. It is indispensable in the production of sweets (from it is stuffed), marmalade, drinks containing natural juice, marshmallow and even ice cream.

So, we found out where the pectin comes from and where it is applied. What is it is now clear. You can proceed to study its useful properties. According to many experts, pectin helps the human body get rid of various toxins. Carrying out his responsible work to remove slags, he does not do us any harm. The pectin substance has a positive effect on the improvement of the microflora and intestinal motility, the reduction of cholesterol, and has an anti-inflammatory effect in the stomach ulcer.

Of course, you are probably interested in what products contain pectin. What it is and what benefits it brings, you already know. The products, which occupy the first place in the amount of pectin, belong to the genus Citrus. This is a lemon, and an orange, and a mandarin, or more precisely, their crusts. The second place can be awarded to such famous fruits as apples. Then there are carrots, apricots, cherries and so on.

Well, here we come to the moment when the question arises: how to cook pectin at home? As already mentioned above, many products contain it, but the most common of those used for self-cooking is the apple. Why this fruit? It is the most affordable among the rest and is easy enough to process and prepare.

How to make pectines from apples, you will learn from the following recipe. First of all, it is necessary to find out what we need for this. Here is the list of ingredients and utensils used for cooking:

- 1 kilogram of apples;

- 125 milliliters of water;

- knife;

- a saucepan with a thick bottom;

- screen (not metal).

The recipe is quite simple. Pure apples are cut into 8 pieces, together with skin and seeds. Then the prepared fruit is placed in a pan and poured the necessary amount of water. The resulting mixture boils on fire for about 25 minutes with constant stirring. After the cooked apples have cooled, it is necessary to pour them into a sieve. The juice, which will drain into the prepared container, contains a large amount of pectin substance.

But in order to get pectin powder, you need to evaporate excess liquid. To do this, the container with juice is placed in the oven and heated until the water evaporates completely. The result of the above actions and will be pectin - a powder of dark color. In consistence, it is similar to sugar powder. Store the product obtained in a tightly closed glass jar, in a cool and dry place.

Now you know how to get pectin. What is it, you also know. Now this question will not put you to a standstill, and the information received can be shared with friends.