Why Does Jell-O Jiggle?



If there’s one word that comes to mind when you think of Jell-O, it’s most likely “jiggle.” While that characteristic wobble has made Jell-O a household name for gelatin across America, few people know the truth about why it does what it does. What is Jell-O and why does it jiggle? Gelatin is made from animal collagen, a protein that makes up connective tissues such as skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones. When the mixture cools, the collagen strands reform into a semi-solid state with water molecules trapped inside. This is what gives jello its characteristic jiggly, gel-like texture. So, can you speed up the process of making Jell-O firm? You can put Jell-O in the freezer to help it set quicker, but the risk may not be worth the reward. If you leave it in too long, you end up with mush. Balancing out how long to leave the Jell-O in the freezer to avoid freezing it, while still reducing the set time, isn’t easy. The best way to speed up the process is to substitute ice cubes for some of the water. Generally speaking, most jello sets in 2-4 hours, but with the ice cube quick set, it should be ready in about an hour.