Winton Eliott
It’s a question that has puzzled historians for years: who invented jelly? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think.
There are several contenders for the title of “inventor of jelly,” and the argument between them is still ongoing. Let’s take a look at some of the most likely candidates.
Who invented jelly?
Peter Durand
One possible inventor of jelly is Peter Durand, a British man who patented the idea of preserving food in “portable cans” in 1810.
This method was later used to create jellied fruits and meats.
However, it was French chef François Pierre La Varenne who popularized the use of gelatin to make jellies and aspics in his 1651 cookbook.
Alfred Paraf
Another contender for the title of the jelly inventor is an American scientist and inventor Alfred Paraf, who patented a process for making gelatin in 1881.
However, it was German chemist Adolph Spitteler who first discovered the chemical process for extracting gelatin from animal bones in 1859.
Frank W. Whiting
Yet another possible inventor of jelly is American food manufacturer Frank W. Whiting, who patented a method for making fruit preserves and jellies in 1897.
However, it was Italian chef Bartolomeo Scappi who wrote about using gelatin to make jellies in his 1570 cookbook.
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Who invented Jell-O?
The popular brand Jell-O was created by Pearle Bixby Wait in 1897. Wait and his wife May had purchased a formula for fruit-flavored gelatin dessert from a carpenter named Orator Francis Woodward and began selling it under the name “Jell-O.”
The product was an immediate success, and in 1899 Wait sold the rights to the Jell-O brand to Oradell, New Jersey-based manufacturer Genesee Pure Food Company for $450.
The company, which eventually became known as the Jell-O Company, was bought by Kraft Foods in 1960.
Today, Jell-O is still a popular dessert and snack option, with various flavors and forms, including gelatin, pudding, and ice cream.
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Final words
In conclusion, the exact inventor of jelly is uncertain and likely a combination of various individuals and advancements in food preservation and cooking techniques.
However, it was Pearle Bixby Wait who popularized the dessert with his creation of the Jell-O brand. Today, jelly remains a popular treat enjoyed by many.
