Konnyaku jelly
Posted in Featured Articles, Japanese, Vegetarian, Western, dessert, fruits, snacks
Konnyaku (蒟蒻) is also known as “konjac, konjaku, devil’s tongue, voodoo lily, snake palm, or elephant yam”. (Can anyone tell why so many eerie nicknames? 
). It is a natural food made from a type of mountain potato mixed with calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide extracted from eggshells.
It is a traditional Japanese health food and has been consumed for over 2000 years. It appears in many dishes in Japanese cuisine such as oden, sukiyaki and sashimi. Besides that, it is also widely used as a substitute for gelatin in making jelly dessert.
Konnyaku has no fat, low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Hence, it can bring us many excellent health benefits as below:
a) normalize cholesterol level.
b) control sugar level in blood for diabetes.
c) prevent high blood pressure.
d) clean toxin in the intestines and prevent intestinal cancer
e) ideal for weight control as it expands in the digestive system and gives the feeling that the stomach is full.
Apart from its nutritional value, Konnyaku jelly yields a firmer and springier texture compared to normal jelly. Because of these two signature qualities, it caught on fast to become a popular household choice for healthy snack after it was first introduced to Singapore and Malaysia about one decade ago.
You can find Konnyaku jelly moulds of different types and shapes as shown in the photo below. As for preparing Konnyaku deserts, it’s idiot proof. You only need to follow the simple manufacturer’s instruction on the packaging of the Konnyaku powder, and adding on fresh or canned fruits of your own liking. Properly supervised, even a kid can do it!
However, parents and caretakers should be aware that jelly products containing Konnyaku may pose choking hazards as it is extremely difficult to remove if it gets stuck down the throat. Thus, it is not suitable to serve children below 4 years old and the elderly. Even for older kids and adults alike, to prevent getting choked unnecessarily, it is recommended that the jelly be first cut or bite into smaller pieces and chewed properly before swallowing.
I like to share this jelly desert recipe with you because it uses Konnyaku, a not-to-be missed super food. This recipe is also made mostly of fruits juice and fresh fruits. I only used a little bit of sugar for this recipe to suit my personal palate. You can adjust the amount according to your preference. It is also not necessarily to use any special Konnyaku jelly moulds to make these jellies. However, they are great for presenting attractive and cute looking jellies to your kids.
This homemade jelly may not be one of the healthiest snacks, but it is definitely a healthier version compared to those bought off the shelf in the store that comes with preservative and colouring additives. I bet this delicious jelly, when served chilled, would be a cool treat that can surely cheer your little ones up during this hot weather.
Suggested reading references for Konnyaku:
- http://www.shakespeare-w.com/english/konnyaku/whatis.html
- http://www.konnyaku.com/e_data/konnyaku.html
Konnyaku jelly cooking video clip by Phoon Huat:
- http://www.phoonhuat.com/special.htm
>>> Click on PAGE 2 BELOW for Konnyaku jelly recipe………………………
47 Comments
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Very tempting and appealing! I am sure the kids will fall in love with them… !
Alice: Pssst…tell u a secret…this is my hubby’s childhood favourite. He ate most of the share.
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The colour look so tempting and full of fruity taste!!! I am sure this make a good kiddy party dessert.
Ellena: Thanks! Oh yeah…great idea!
Only you can make simple Konnyaku look so amazingly good. It’s pretty healthy that you pnly use 4 tbsp sugar. I saw the video from your link by Phoon Huat and they use a cup full of sugar and water. I like how you have used apple juice to flavour it instead. Beautiful, natural colour and the fruit arrangement, looks great!!!
Quinn: Thanks!! I’m so flattered with your sweet comments!!! You’re right, the Japanese guy in the video used a lot of sugar. That’s the amount stated in the konnyaku jelly powder packet. Yeah, fresh fruit juice is a better option than sugar.
WOW! This looks super yummy! Perfect for kiddies!
Peachkins: Thanks! Yeah, all kids love cool jelly.
I love discovering new foods! Thanks so much for posting this. I’ve never heard of konnyaku but now maybe I won’t be so clueless should I ever come across it. The gelatin desserts look so refreshing!
Joanne: Thanks! It’s real fun and interesting to discover new foods.
Looks gorgeous LK! And another great use of blueberries! i never knew konnyaku was actually good for you!!
Clare: Thanks!! The health benefits of Konnyaku are new to me.
I did not know gelatin can be healthy.
Tigerfish: Konnyaku jelly powder is different than the normal gelatin.
I use the same brand of Konnyaku jelly powder.
Little Inbox: Oh really! I like this one because the quantity is small.
The Konnyaku (蒟蒻) jelly are very popular here and widely loved by kids. I guess it’s the healthy dessert that kids love, lol.
Christine: Not only kids, they are adults’ favourite too.
Very pretty! I love the strawberries inside. I like jelly in general – it always looks fun and festive!
Alina: Thanks!! Who can resist fruity jellies? They are always my family’s favourite.
Love this jelly and you’ve just reminded me that I have not made this for a long while now. I love adding different types of fruit in it and flavour the jelly as well. Looks real pretty.
Jo: Thanks!! Time to bring out your jelly moulds!
This is so pretty! I would like to add Korean strawberries, fragrant and sweet but too bad the Season already over but my boys love blueberries too.
Anncoo: Thanks!! You can try US organic strawberries (Driscoll’s). They are tastier than the normal ones.
Beautiful and delicious. My children love them very much….me too of course
Mary Moh: Thanks!! I guess no one will say no to a delicious chilled jelly. LOL!
I fell in love with these incredible jellies at a Japanese confection store in San Francisco. The first one I ever tried had a whole single cherry suspended in it. As the jelly was clear, you could see through it to the cherry. It was so beautiful looking. And it tasted fantastic, too!
Carolyn: Thanks for sharing! Next time if I can find nice and fresh cherry, I will try to make some too.
Love the beautiful color of your jelly! You were good to make the blueberry as center as this. I don’t think I have the patience.
LCOM: Thanks!! It’s not difficult at all as the blueberry fits well into this special mould.
Not only little ones, I love them as well. You have made them look beautiful and adorable.
TasteHongKong: Thanks! So glad that this jelly will entice you too!
I love them too! So pretty!
Pigpigscorner: Thanks!! They are delicious too!
The shapes from the moulds are so pretty! I love learning about super foods too.
Lisa: Oh yeah, I love the shapes too. I just realised that there are so many super foods that I have yet to discover. Hahaha!
Nice post and delectable dessert.
RV: Thanks for your kind comment.
Cool dessert for the hot weather!
Dora: Yeah, need to find cooling stuff to beat the heat.
I have two similar moulds…
These jellies look very cute.
Angie: Oh! What a co-incidence!
i’ve heard a lot about konnyaku but this is the first time i see it
Tee Are: Thanks for dropping by! Do give it a try!
love the color, better than jello anyday and what great health benefits, truly amazing
sweetlife
Sweetlife: Thanks for your compliments!