Jelly has been one of the two most popular fruit spreads in American breakfast. Unlike your typical peanut butter, margarine, and butter, jelly is far more nutritious than both. In American households, jelly is served on toasted bread, or as a primary ingredient, in jelly sandwiches.
Jelly is often confused with jam, but the difference is actually simple. Jelly is made from extracted fruit juice, while the jam is from whole fruit pulp. Jam also has a thicker texture compared to jelly.
Jelly can come from a variety of different fruits. But the most popular ones are grape jelly and strawberry jelly. Jelly is high in sugar content and does not offer much nutritional value. Since jelly is usually only used as a spread, eating it should not affect your health much.
How Is Jelly Made?
Jelly is made from fruit juice. The juice is extracted by crushing the fruit and boiling it in water until it turns soft. After which, the crushed fruit and the juice are separated using a colander. It’s very simple to make, and you can even try making one yourself at home.
You can choose to add pectin to make jellies. For the most part, a natural jelly is very soft and does not retain its shape. So what manufacturers do is add pectin to retain its shape. Natural pectin is derived from apples and citrus fruits. It is either sold in liquid or powdered form.
Grape Jelly
One of the most popular jellies you can find is grape jellies. Grape jellies are sweet and sticky, and you can make them your own or buy them in your local stores.
We know that grapes can offer a lot of health benefits. But, can we say the same for grape jellies? Sure, grape jellies are made from grapes but do their nutrients stay when turned to jelly?
Grape Jelly Health Benefits
Yes! The benefits of grapes remain, but this time, however, sugar content is also increased. As long as you don’t consume a jar of grape jelly, you should be fine. Here is how grape jelly can benefit your health.
- Packed With Vitamin C and K: Grape jellies are packed with Vitamin C and K. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, and it can help manage high blood pressure, prevent chronic diseases, and prevent iron deficiency. On the other hand, vitamin K helps blood clotting and developing healthy bones.
- Grapes Contain Antioxidants: Antioxidants are what keeps the free radicals away from damaging your cells.
- They Also Contain Potassium: Research has shown that potassium helps reduce the risks of stroke, blood pressure, and help prevent kidney stones.
- Grapes Contain Copper: Copper can help boost the immune system and help prevent osteoporosis and arthritis.
Low On Calories
So, how many calories in a grape jelly? You can expect 600 calories in a jar of grape jelly. Now, you might think that’s a lot of calories. But! Remember that this amount is per jar, and it’s not like you are going to eat up an entire jar of grape jelly.
Conclusion
There are many benefits grape jelly can give you, but always keep it in moderation. Grape jelly is gilded with sugar and carbs, so only take a few teaspoons for each sandwich you make.
