The History Of Jelly Desserts

Host Kae Sprung welcomes Solid Wiggles co-owners Jena Derman and Jack Schramm to discuss jelly desserts and their history, from medieval European gelatin extraction, blancmange, and ornate Victorian molded jellies to plant-based Asian traditions like agar (kanten), yōkan, warabi mochi, Korean starch jellies, grass jelly, gulaman, and almond jelly. Jena and Jack explain how their pastry-and-cocktail backgrounds shaped Solid Wiggles, including early clarified coconut water and citrus jellies, a COVID-era Wildair pop-up where gin cucumber lime jellies sold out, and a Halloween run of 1,200 jelly eyeballs. They discuss texture consistency, the R&D behind their espresso martini jelly, challenges of unmolding, and why vegetarian cocktail jellies are difficult. The episode also covers powdered gelatin, Jell-O’s rise through marketing and refrigeration, jello shots, 3D gelatin syringe art, and pop culture and record moments involving Jell-O. You can follow and support this week's guests, Solid Wiggles co-owners Jena Derman and Jack Schramm here: Solid Wiggles Cookbook | Recipes and Techniques for Phenomenal Jelly Shots and Cakes — Solid Wiggles Solid Wiggles by Jena Derman, Jack Schramm: 9780593838143 | [PenguinRandomHouse.com](%E2%81%A0PenguinRandomHouse.com): Books https://www.instagram.com/tenspeedpress/ https://www.instagram.com/solidwiggles/ See behind the scenes photos and video here: http://instagram.com/sprungonfood Check back for new episodes, and make sure to also subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@iamsprung You can also learn more and follow Kae Sprung here: Website: http://katherinesprung.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsprung TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsprung Looking for half off your first 2 months to help make your own podcast? I recommend Riverside and Descript. You can find links below to sign up\*: Riverside: https://riverside.cello.so/kbhJQ48RO1S Descript: https://descript.cello.so/4oB9cH6HfXH About the show: Sprung On Food is a digital and podcast series, hosted by Katherine "Kae" Sprung, an award-winning pastry chef and food and media entrepreneur. This season, we're talking about favorite foods- the history behind them and the role they play in the world today. Each episode features a special guest to talk about their favorite food, and help comment on the historical origins and pop-cultural and modern society moments tied to that food. Its food history meets food pop-culture, a dose of education, with sprinkles of comedy. \*Please note that I'm an affiliate and might receive a commission from the links. If you plan on signing up for either app, please consider using the link to help support a fellow creator! 00:00 Jelly Desserts Intro 00:18 Meet Solid Wiggles 01:14 Origins and Early Popups 05:21 From Hobby to Business 06:57 Medieval Gelatin Roots 08:16 Blancmange Evolution 09:33 Modern Flavor R&D 12:27 Aspics and Victorian Molds 16:30 Unmolding and Craft Tips 18:42 Asian Plant Based Jellies 21:43 Vegetarian Gel Challenges 24:58 Powder Gelatin and Jello 26:49 Naming Solid Wiggles 27:49 Midcentury Jello Boom 29:21 Rise of Jello Shots 31:33 3D Jelly Art Techniques 35:10 Global Brands and Today 37:31 Pop Culture and Records 41:28 Final Thoughts and Wrap