How to make hummingbird jelly?

Hummingbird jelly is a unique and fun way to attract hummingbirds to your yard or garden. The jelly provides a high-energy food source that appeals to hummingbirds’ cravings for nectar. While you can buy pre-made hummingbird jelly at many stores, it’s easy and affordable to make it yourself at home. This allows you to control the ingredients and customize the jelly to your liking. Here is a step-by-step guide to making delicious hummingbird jelly that will have the hummingbirds buzzing around your feeders in no time!

What is Hummingbird Jelly?

Hummingbird jelly is a semi-solid, gelatinous substance made by boiling fruit juice, sugar, and water. It provides an artificial nectar source for hummingbirds. The jelly has a thick, syrupy texture that makes it easy for the birds to lap up and digest. Unlike flower nectar found in nature, hummingbird jelly stays put in the feeders rather than dripping or running off. This allows the hummingbirds easy, mess-free access to the nutritious food.

The main ingredients in basic hummingbird jelly are:

• Fruit juice – Provides flavor and nutrition. Common juices used include orange, pineapple, and berry.
• White sugar – Sweetens the jelly to appeal to hummingbird tastes.
• Water – Helps dilute and liquefy the other ingredients.
• Clear gelatin – Thickens the mixture into a jelly-like substance.

Recipes can also include additional ingredients like red food coloring, corn syrup, and preservatives. The bright red color of store-bought jelly mimics the color of tubular wildflowers favored by hummingbirds. The natural colors of fruit juices can be used instead for a subtler look.

Benefits of Making Your Own Hummingbird Jelly

There are several advantages to making your homemade hummingbird jelly instead of buying pre-made:

• Control ingredients – You can limit or avoid added preservatives, dyes, and corn syrup.
• Reduce cost – Making your own is cheaper than buying specialty hummingbird jelly.
• Customize flavors – Tailor recipes to your own tastes and the hummingbirds’ preferences.
• Fun activity – It’s an enjoyable hobby and a great educational project for kids.

Choosing Fruit Juice

The fruit juice provides most of the flavor, color, and nutritional value in hummingbird jelly. You can use juice straight from fruit or bottled juices. Good juice options include:

Orange Juice

Plain, pulp-free orange juice is a great base for hummingbird jelly. It has a bold, tropical taste that birds love. Look for 100% juice without added sugar or preservatives.

Pineapple Juice

Like orange juice, pineapple juice lends a bright, fruit-forward flavor. It also offers some vitamin C. Make sure to use unsweetened juice in recipes.

Berry Juices

Juices made from strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and other berries provide gorgeous red hues and sweet, complex flavors. They tend to be higher in antioxidants than citrus juices.

Combinations

You can also use combinations of juices, such as orange and pineapple or berry medleys. This adds more interesting layers of flavor.

Avoiding Pitfalls

Stay away from apple, grape, and other light-hued juices, as these won’t achieve the bright red color that attracts hummingbirds. Also avoid added-sugar varieties, as the jelly recipe provides ample sweetness on its own.

Selecting the Best Sugar

Sugar is crucial for providing the high-energy carbohydrates that fuel hummingbirds’ metabolisms. White granulated sugar is the best choice, but here are some other options:

Sugar Type	Benefits	Downsides
Granulated white sugar	Pure, easy to find Dissolves completely into jelly	No benefits over more natural options
Organic cane sugar	Made from sugarcane Minimally processed	More expensive than regular sugar May have trace minerals that cause clouding
Honey	Natural sweetener Contains antioxidants	Expensive Can overpower fruit flavors
Agave nectar	Low glycemic index	Very expensive Not ideal for gelling

As the table shows, regular white sugar is generally the most affordable and effective option for hummingbird jelly. But alternatives like organic cane sugar also work well.

Choosing Gelatin

Powdered, unflavored gelatin is used to thicken hummingbird jelly so it can hold its shape in feeders. Look for clear, colorless gelatin to avoid altering the jelly’s appearance. Options include:

Granulated Gelatin

This is the most widely available type. Popular brands like Knox sell boxes of granulated, powdered gelatin. It dissolves easily and sets reliably.

Sheet Gelatin

Gelatin also comes in thin sheets. These melt efficiently in hot juice. However, sheets can be more difficult to find and measure accurately.

Vegetarian Substitutes

For vegetarians, pectin can be used instead of gelatin. Add a few teaspoons of ceramic pectin powder to the boiling juice. However, pectin may not set as firmly as traditional gelatin.

Equipment Needed

Here is the basic equipment you’ll need to make hummingbird jelly:

• Saucepan – For boiling juice mixture. Use a 2-3 quart size.
• Measuring cups & spoons – For accurately measuring ingredients.
• Wooden spoon – For mixing juice and sugar as it heats.
• Ladle or large spoon – For portioning hot jelly into containers.
• Funnel (optional) – For cleanly pouring jelly into feeders or small openings.
• Glass jars or plastic containers – For storing finished jelly.

You’ll also need clean hummingbird feeders to serve the finished jelly. Pick feeders that seal tightly and are easy to clean and fill.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients and equipment, follow these steps:

Step 1: Softening the Gelatin

Measure out the called-for amount of gelatin powder into a small bowl. Add just enough cold water to cover the gelatin. Allow it to soften for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Heating the Juice

Pour fruit juice, sugar, and water into a saucepan. Heat over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until bubbling and the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Mixing in the Gelatin

Stir the softened gelatin into the hot juice until completely dissolved and smooth. Pour into containers or feeders right away.

Step 4: Cooling & Setting the Jelly

Refrigerate jelly for at least 4 hours until firmly set. Then screw lids onto containers or hang feeders where desired.

Storage Tips

• Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• For longer storage, pour hot jelly into sterilized jars and process in a water bath canner.
• Jelly can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Basic Hummingbird Jelly Recipe

This easy 3-ingredient recipe makes about 2 cups of hummingbird jelly:

Ingredient	Amount
Orange juice	1 1/2 cups
White sugar	1/4 cup
Water	1/4 cup
Granulated gelatin	1 tablespoon

1. Soften gelatin in 2 tablespoons cold water for 5 minutes.
2. Heat orange juice, sugar, and 1/4 cup water until boiling.
3. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin until dissolved.
4. Pour into jars or feeders and refrigerate until set.

Recipe Variations

Try these tweaks to create different flavors:

• Berry jelly – Replace orange juice with raspberry, strawberry, or mixed berry juice. Reduce sugar to 2 tablespoons.
• Tropical jelly – Use 1 cup pineapple juice and 1/2 cup orange juice.
• Fruity medley – Mix 1/2 cup each pineapple, orange, and berry juices.

Troubleshooting Hummingbird Jelly

Use this guide to fix any jelly issues:

Problem	Cause	Solution
Jelly won’t set	Not enough gelatin Sugar interfering with gelatin	Increase gelatin to 1.5 or 2 tablespoons Reduce sugar or use gelatin sheets
Jelly is runny	Too much juice for gelatin Gelatin didn’t dissolve fully	Use less juice or more gelatin Make sure gelatin mixes in completely
Jelly has pieces or globs	Undissolved sugar or gelatin	Stir constantly while heating to fully dissolve solids
Jelly grows mold	Too much time at room temp Dirty containers	Refrigerate jelly right after making Sterilize all equipment before use

FAQs

Is hummingbird jelly better than nectar?

Both commercial jelly and homemade nectar work well. Jelly may be more convenient since it doesn’t need refrigeration or frequent changing. However, some people prefer the more natural approach of mixing plain sugar water.

Do you need to add red dye to the jelly?

Red dye is not critical but helps attract more hummingbirds. Plain fruit juices will still draw some birds. Choose dye-free recipes or use natural coloring from fruit if you prefer to avoid artificial dye.

Can other birds or insects eat hummingbird jelly?

Yes, hummingbird jelly will not harm most birds or pollinating insects, but it does not offer complete nutrition. Keep jelly in specialized hummingbird feeders to minimize access by other wildlife.

How long does homemade jelly last?

Properly stored, homemade hummingbird jelly lasts 5-7 days in the fridge or 2-3 months in the freezer. For long-term storage up to a year, canning may be needed.

How often should you change jelly in feeders?

During hot weather, change the jelly every 2-3 days to prevent spoilage. In cooler weather, it can safely last 5-7 days. Clean the feeders thoroughly each time you refill.

Conclusion

Making your own hummingbird jelly is a fun, rewarding way to engage with nature right in your own backyard. Choose your favorite juice flavors, tailor the sugar content, and control preservatives by making it yourself. Use this guide for tips on ingredients, equipment, and technique to create the perfect clear jelly. With its jewel-tone color and irresistible sweetness, your homemade hummingbird jelly will have ruby-throated hummers buzzing excitedly around your feeders in no time. Just remember to keep the jelly fresh and the feeders clean, and enjoy the magic of these dazzling little birds!