Aiyu Jelly (How to Make)

❓What is Aiyu?

Aiyu jelly is made from the seeds of a creeping fig plant known as awkeotsang. It is well known for its cooling properties and is a great dessert to ward off heat in hot summers. It is typically jelly that is cut into small pieces and added to lime syrup and served with ice cubes or shaved ice. The jelly, on its own, does not have any taste. But when added to the syrup, it is truly refreshing and delicious.

Traditionally, aiyu jelly is made by placing the aiyu seeds of the awkeotsang plant in a cloth bag or fine mesh bag. The bag is then submerged in water and pressed and rubbed to release a gel-like substance. The gel is then placed in a cool and dry place to set. Once set, it is cut into smaller pieces and placed in small serving bowl and added to sweetened fresh lime or fresh lemon juice before serving.

There is normally no sugar added to the jelly, and that is simply because traditionally, the gel substance derived by squeezing the seeds of the fig in a cloth bag will not set if there is any sugar added to it. Hence, the jelly is often added to a sweet juice, simple syrup or honey water for taste. On its own, the jelly has no taste.

Nowadays, aiyu jelly is a lot easier to make. The easiest way to make this refreshing dessert is by purchasing the jelly in powder form and making it into jelly, in a similar way as other jellies like agar agar jelly or even konnyaku jelly.

📋Ingredients

• Aiyu jelly powder - this looks similar to jelly or agar agar powder and is often sold in small packets.
• White sugar - used to sweeten the lime juice. Both coarse or granulated sugar will work for this recipe.
• Calamansi Lime juice (freshly squeezed) - these are small limes with thin green skin. They are small in size and you will need about 15 limes to make 50ml of lime juice required for the recipe. Strain the juice before using to remove all seeds.
• Water - used to cook the jelly as well as make the lime syrup. Use filtered water.
• Ice cubes or shaved ice - helps to keep the jelly cool when served.

*Refer to the recipe card below for full list of ingredients and exact quantities. For best results, use a digital kitchen scale where applicable*

👩‍🍳How to Make

Step 1: Cook the jelly. Start by measuring water into a medium-sized pot.

Add the aiyu jelly powder into the pot of water. Sprinkle it into the water to prevent it from clumping (image 1).

Turn on the heat to medium low and cook until the jelly powder has completely dissolved. Stir constantly.

Note: The jelly powder can get lumpy when added to water, and it that happens, keep stirring the jelly solution until the lumps dissolve completely. Continue to cook the jelly until it reaches a rolling boil point.

Remove the cooked jelly solution from heat. Pour it into a shallow mold or tin (image 2).

Let the jelly cool down slightly at room temperate before putting it into the fridge to set completely. This can take about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the thickness of the jelly.

Step 2: Make the lime syrup. In a small pot, add the sugar and water and cook over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature (image 3). Cut the limes in half and squeeze the juice into a cup (image 4).

Strain the juice to remove the seeds and measure the juice (image 5).

Mix the fruit juice and sugar syrup to make the lime syrup. Keep refrigerated until ready to assemble and serve the jelly (image 6).

Step 3: Assemble and serve the jelly.

Once the aiyu jelly is set, turn it out onto a plate and cut it into small pieces of approximately 1cm by 1cm cubes (image 7).

Note: If you find it difficult to unmold the jelly, you can cut it directly in the mold, or insert a few toothpicks (2 or 3) between the sides of the jelly and the mold. This will create air pockets and will help to release the jelly easily as you turn it over.

Scoop about 4 tablespoons of the cut jelly into small serving bowls. Top with 4 tablespoons of syrup into each bowl (image 8). Add ice cubes and serve.

💭FAQs