Gelatin V. Pectin - Which one is best for your gummy?

Gelatin & pectin are the two most-common ingredients used for thickening and gelling gummies along with starch. Depending on your goals for the product’s formula, one may be a better option than the other. Gelatin is more widely known thanks to its use in major brands like Jell-O, but pectin holds a variety of benefits that differ from those found in gelatin. If you’re new to gummy formulation, it’s important to learn and understand the differences between the two, and what your other options could be. We have developed the ultimate guide to choosing the best gummy thickening agent for you.

Gelatin

Gelatin is an animal derived ingredient, typically from the collagen in bones, cartilage, or ligaments and the most frequently used type is pork based. Because of this, it can only be used in non-plant-based gummies. The thing gelatin based gummies are most known for is their classic texture that most people have grown to expect when eating gummies. Once the gummies have set which can take anywhere from 2-24 hours, you can expect an elastic, chewy consistency. Gelatin doesn’t offer as much clarity as some other hydrocolloids do though.

Gelatin can be remelted because it is thermoreversible, making it a great option if you're worried about making a mistake and needing to rework the gummy. However, this also means gelatin gummies will easily melt if left out on a hot day, and for those dosing their gelatin gummies with actives that require precise amounts in each serving, coming back to a tin full of gelatin gummies left in a hot car might look like one giant gummy puddle. There is a way to solve thing dilemma though by adding some pectin to the formula. When pectin is added, you get the best of both worlds, the texture of a gelatin gummy, with the heat resistance of pectin. Otherwise, store your gelatin gummies out of the sun, and in temperatures that do not exceed 80 degrees.

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Pectin

Pectin is a plant-based thickening agent, making it the ideal choice for vegan gummy formulas. Typically, it’s derived from apples and oranges, but can also be derived from other plants.

Pectin offers a clean taste profile and allows flavor to really pop, making it an easier option to flavor than gelatin, which can have a strong taste. Pectin also offers higher clarity when there are no added supplements so you don’t have to add as much color either. Natural colors can be affected when used in a pectin gummy though, due to the low pH required in a pectin gummy. Not all natural colors can thrive when used in this type of formula as some require a high pH range in order to not degrade quickly. They have a clean bite-through texture, unlike the classic elastic chew you get from gelatin.

By far the best thing about pectin gummies is that they maintain their shape when exposed to high heat and won’t melt even when left out in the sun thanks to their thermo-resistant properties. Acids are added to a pectin formula to help drop the pH so that pectin will start setting, but with the majority of pectins used for gummy manufacturing, once it has set, there is no going back. They cannot be melted down and reworked as gelatin gummies can. If you add the wrong amount, you can end up with gummies that won’t set and turn out more like jam than a gummy.

One major benefit of pectin it sets within minutes and can be demolded in as little as 30 minutes making it possible to produce more gummies in a single day and turn over your molds so the same ones can be used multiple times. Gelatin gummies can take 2-24 hours to fully set, making wait times in-between batches much longer. Once pectin gummies have set, they need to go through a drying process. If you are considering the nutritional benefit, pectin is high in fiber but does not provide much else in terms of nutrition.

Looking to get your hands on a shelf-stable pectin gummy formula that won’t sweat, will set, and provide you with all the ingredient suppliers & equipment recommendations you need to start manufacturing pectin gummies?

Other Gelling Agents

Carrageenan is a less common option in the gummy industry, but is it a better choice? It is derived from red algae commonly known as Irish moss. There has been a stir of controversy surrounding the safety of carrageenan. Some consider it a dangerous ingredient, but scientists have debunked these theories as they were based on research not performed on humans. This ingredient has been proven to be safe for human consumption, but the controversy around it has caused it to be a less popular choice. Carrageenan can mimic gelatin or pectin in texture, depending on the other ingredients in your gummy formulation. It is also colorless, odorless, and flavorless.

Still not sure which one would be best for your gummy formula? Our formulation experts have experience developing flavorful gummies for the nutraceutical, wellness, and hemp industries. We will guide you through the gummies formulation process, making the choice between thickening agents and flavors easy & stress free. We can help you rework existing recipes, or develop a custom gummy formula.

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