Guava Jelly

Is Jelly Healthy?

This is a vegan, gluten-free and delicious recipe. It is easy to make, sweet, and offers unique guava taste at its best.

We all love jellies. This giggly thing is super fun. It is sweet and loaded with the flavor of the fruit it comes from. Jellies are super versatile and equally loved by kids and adults. You might have tried a hundred of jellies but, tell me, have you ever eaten a homemade guava jelly? If not, you are in luck!

Today I am going to tell you about delicious and unique guava jelly. Guava is a fruit that has a flavor somewhere between strawberry and pear. When ripe, it has a soft flesh. The thing about guava is that you will either love it or hate it. There is no in-between. So, if you love guava and its interesting flavor, you should try this recipe!

Health Benefits of Guava

This fruit has many benefits, and it's not just the fruit that is rich in nutrients; it's the leaf as well. Guava leaves are also used widely because of their many benefits. Here are a few to name:

Both the fruit and leaves are rich in potassium.
As a result, it protects the heart and improves its health.

Natural Tea!

The tea from the leaves is said to reduce bad cholesterol in the body. Thus, it also regulates blood pressure.

The guava leaves tea also helps in regulating the level of sugar in the blood. Thus, it also helps in insulin resistance and is beneficial for people who are suffering from diabetes.
Women who experience menstrual pains and cramps are advised to drink guava tea. It helps in relieving the pain.
Guava is rich in dietary fiber. As a result, it improves your digestive health. It also regulates your bowel movements and prevents constipation.
Homemade fruit jellies are low in calories, making it perfect for those who are on a weight loss journey. Furthermore, it is a perfect snack, and you can drink guava tea for added benefits as well.

Lastly, guava is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. As a result, it protects the body from several diseases like cancer.

How to Make Tea from Guava Leaves?

You can make tea just like green tea or regular "bush" tea. All you have to do is add a few guava leaves in boiling water and boil for 5-7 minutes. Furthermore, you can also use dried guava leaves. Add a tablespoon in boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes. I have had dried leaves of all sorts in my pantry for almost a year already. I brought them home from my last trip to Jamaica and have been storing them in glass jars.

A word of caution:
Although this natural leaf tea has many benefits, it has some side effects. For instance, it can cause skin rash or irritation to some people.
Furthermore, drinking too much can lower your blood sugar level as well. So, it is better to use it in moderation.

Ingredients Breakdown

To make this delicious fruit jelly, you don’t need a list of many ingredients. It is a minimalistic recipe, so; you don’t have to look for anything that is out of ordinary but the fruit itself.

Here is everything you need for this delicious fruit jelly recipe:

Now, you can’t make guava jelly without guava, can you? So, the hero I ingredient is the guava. I like to use fresh and ripe guavas for this purpose.

Sugar: Although guava is naturally sweet, but not very overpowering. So, you have to use sugar. I love to use brown sugar, but you can use white sugar as well. Furthermore, if you want the sweetness to be on a low, you can use organic coconut sugar.

Lime: Lime brings the tang taste that cuts straight through the sweetness of the jelly. In fact, it brings out the flavor of guava and is very interesting. So, lime juice is a must to balance things out!

Food coloring: To make the jelly visually appealing, you can use food coloring. However, it is an optional ingredient, and you can totally skip it.

How to Make Guava Jelly?

Making this jelly is a piece of cake! Literally. Here are a few simple steps you have to follow:

1: In a saucepan, add water, lime juice, and diced guava.

2: Place the saucepan on medium heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

3: Blend the mixture using a hand blender until it is smooth.

4: Now, pass it through a sieve to get rid of the seeds.

5: Pour the sieved mixture into a saucepan and cook for another 20 minutes, adding red food coloring as needed.

Step 6: Once it is done, pour in a clean, dry glass jar and allow it to cool down.

Step 7: Refrigerate

How to Use Guava Jelly?

Like I said before, guava jelly is versatile. So, you can use it in several different ways. Here is how you can use guava jelly:
You can spread guava jelly over toast and enjoy it. That's why it is also called guava jam.
1. Dollop jelly over waffles and pancakes as well.
2. Add the jelly to the Greek yogurt or any plain yogurt for flavor as well.
3. Use it as a garnish over cakes.
4. Use it as a filling as well and fill cupcakes, parfaits, etc.

Why Should You Make Guava Jelly?
To thicken jellies, you have to add an artificial ingredient.

However, when you make any jelly. You will notice that it will thicken up and get a giggly texture without the need to add anything.

That's because of the pectin.

Pectin is a natural substance that thickens up the mixture so that you get the jelly-like texture. Because it is naturally rich in pectin, it is a perfect fruit to make jelly!

Guava Jelly

A Pound Fresh Guava, Washed and Diced (about 8-10)

One Cup Brown Sugar 

The Juice of a Whole Lime

4 Cups Water

Red Food Coloring, as needed (optional)

Yield: 32 Servings

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cooking Time: 40 Minutes

1. Place diced guavas in a medium saucepan, add lime juice and cover with the 4 cups of water. Put the saucepan with guava, water and lime juice on medium-high heat and cook for 20 minutes.
2. Using a stick blender and process for 1 minute or until smooth. The guava will be soft and blend smoothly but the seeds will not break.
3. Use a strainer to separate the guava juice from the seeds.
4. Return the guava juice to the saucepan and stir in the brown sugar on low heat. 
5. Cook for another 20 minutes, adding a couple drops of red food coloring until your desired color is achieved.
6. Pour the hot jelly immediately into a clean glass jar and allow the jelly to cool and set at room temperature. Guava jelly can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one year.

How to Store Jelly?
Pour the hot mixture into a clean and dry glass jar. Let it cool. Once it reaches room temperature, seal the lid tightly and place it in the refrigerator. It is good to go for about a year in the refrigerator. However, note that when you have to scoop it out from the jar, use a clean and dry spoon. Also, never leave the spoon in for too long.

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