Jujubes
These traditional Jujubes are chewy, aromatic gummy candies made from gum arabic and sugar, delicately scented with orange flower oil. A precursor to modern gummy candies, they offer a firm yet yielding texture that slowly dissolves in the mouth, releasing their floral sweetness. This historical recipe creates a clear, diamond-cut confection that serves as an elegant palate cleanser or a soothing sweet treat.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum) (Originally 'Baval no gundar'. Must be food grade.)
- 1 pound Powdered sugar (Finely ground sugar.)
- 1 ounce Unflavored gelatin (Originally '2.5 tolas isinglass'. Substituted with gelatin for modern convenience (approx 28g).)
- 3 drops Orange flower oil (Neroli) (Or 4 drops. Use food-grade essential oil or extract.)
- 2 cups Water (For dissolving sugar (originally 'half seer'). Plus extra for dissolving gum.)
Instructions
- 1Finely crush the gum arabic in a mortar. Place it in a clean pot along with the gelatin (or isinglass). Add just enough water to cover and dissolve the mixture. Heat gently over low heat (originally charcoal embers) until fully dissolved. Strain the mixture through a jelly bag or a piece of clean white flannel cloth to remove any impurities.
- 2In a separate clean pot, dissolve the powdered sugar in 2 cups of water. Cook over a slow fire. As it boils, impurities (scum) will rise to the surface; carefully remove this foam with a perforated spoon or skimmer until the syrup is clear. Continue cooking until it reaches a slightly thick syrup consistency.
- 3Pour the strained gum and gelatin mixture into the sugar syrup. Stir continuously with a wooden spatula. Cook the mixture over low heat until it becomes very thick and reaches a consistency where it can set firmly (hard ball stage or approx 250°F/121°C).
- 4Remove the pot from the heat. Allow it to cool slightly, then stir in the orange flower oil. Before it sets, pour the mixture onto a clean marble slab (lightly oiled if necessary). Use a rolling pin to flatten it to about 1/8th of an inch thickness.
- 5Just before the sheet becomes completely cold and hard, loosen it from the slab with a knife. Once fully cooled and set, cut into small squares or diamond shapes.