Jam, Jelly, or Preserves?

So, I was recently asked, "What's the difference between jam and jelly?"  The answer lies in how the product is made.

Jellies are made from fruit juices, jams are made with chopped or crushed fruit, and preserves are made with whole pieces of fruit in it.

Pectin is what makes all of these products gel.  It is an indigestible carbohydrate that is found in the cell walls of most fruits.  When you heat it with sugar in water, it forms a gel.  One of the best sources for pectin is apple peel and seeds.

Jell-O is completely different.  It is made from gelatin, which is a protein product made from animal bones.

Now you know something that you didn't know before ;)