Gelatin’s history in food dates to many millennia – it’s a global phenomenon that’s still being written about. Since our ancestors worked out how to extract the gelatin from cooked hides, bones, and meats, centuries of experimentation have seen gelatin embedded within international food culture. Gelatin has helped create new foods and motivated foods to evolve in novel ways. The widespread applications of Gelatin worldwide are not only limited to the food field but also beyond.
1. Aspic
Among the most famous gelatin-based preparations, aspic stands out, a term that indicates a savory jelly consisting of meat, fish, or vegetables enclosed in a gelatin casing. The official inventor of the recipe is Napoleon’s chef, Marie-Antoine Carême. Spectacular and eye-catching, aspic was also one of the cult dishes of the 80s and early 90s, even in the sweet fruit variant. The strong point of the dish is the transparency that allows you to see its beautiful ingredients and thus enables it to create a colorful and original taste and feel.
2. Canned meat
Another critical product that uses gelatin is canned meat. In canned food, gelatin can also be used as a thickener and improve the protein content of finished products, and the protein content of gelatin itself has reached more than 95%. During the cooking process, gelatin also helps keep the water in the products, improving the output.
3. Gummy bears!
Gelatin has played an even bigger role in the development of the gummy bear, now gelatin’s biggest food category. It was in 1922 that German confectionery pioneer and Haribo founder Hans Riegel invented and launched the gummy bear. In the coterie of gelatin-based fruit chews like wine gums and gumdrops present in the UK from the turn of the century, the little gelatin-based, colorful bears soon took off in Germany, the rest of Europe and are now near-staple candies loved by children and adults alike the world over. Gelatin-based gummy bears have also more recently become popular as a new dietary supplement format pushing the global gummy market above $16 billion.
4. Jelly
The gummy bear is not alone in conquering the planet. Jelly, which unsurprisingly derives its name from gelatin, was probably first made in Medieval Europe or the Middle East as a dessert and it remains popular in those places.
5. Marshmallows
Marshmallows remain a favorite to roast around a campfire and have become a common accompaniment to the global spread of cafe babyccinos! It is usually made from just egg albumen and gelatin – remains popular after first appearing in ancient Egypt then re-emerging in France in the mid-1800s before being popularized in the US and Europe and places like Australia in the 20th century.
6. Yogurt Gelatin Dessert
Dairy products in nutritional food have always occupied a position that cannot be ignored; the most representative is yogurt. The gelatin in yogurt creates a smooth, firm, consistent texture that binds the product together and gives it a more appetizing appearance.
Compared with the traditional way of production, manufacturers changed the yogurt process by adding food thickeners, such as gelatin. In this way, the appearance and taste of yogurt are similar, and the properties of the yogurt remain stable. Effectively prolongs the shelf life of yogurt so that the factory can produce large-scale production.
7. Gelatin in Cosmetics
Gelatin is used in many cosmetics and healthcare products. It is an ingredient in face creams, body lotions, shampoos, hair sprays, sunscreens, bath salts, and bubbles. Personal cleanliness and skin care are among the most basic human needs. The choice of high-quality active ingredients is increasingly vital for modern cosmetic products to ensure maximum cleansing effectiveness and gentleness. Gelatin is dermatologically well-tolerated, free of harmful substances, and an effective moisturizer in creams and lotions. Thanks to its film-forming properties, it positively affects skin smoothness and the gloss and combability of hair. It also ensures a more even uptake of pigments in hair dyes and tints.
Gelatin’s potential in food, drinks and more is far from achieved, especially when considering that, in confectionery for example. To learn more about gelatin application solutions and 100% natural and pure gelatin sources, contact us today!