# The Real Pineapple Jell-O **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 11, 2004, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-pineapple-jell-o/233640 "2004-03-11T04:44:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GuyMc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GuyMc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuyMc)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-pineapple-jell-o/233640/1 "2004-03-11T04:44:55Z")
An update in reference to [Cecil’s column on pineapple Jell-O Brand gelatin dessert](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_344b.html)… Now, there IS real pineapple Jell-O. Rejoice, ye pineapple lovers! > **[My Food and Family Recipes](https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/?s=&m=jlo_family_gelatin)** > > Explore a wide variety of My Food and Family recipes today. My Food and Family recipes are great for new dinner ideas, easy meal prep and so much more. OK, another crisis in human history averted… Guy McLimore ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-pineapple-jell-o/233640/2 "2004-03-11T14:11:03Z")
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **GuyMc** , glad to have you with us. And thanks for providing the link! ---
**Author:** ![Fatman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d2c977/32.png) [@Fatman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fatman)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-pineapple-jell-o/233640/3 "2004-03-16T22:54:58Z")
Regarding the Jell-O warning that it cannot gel with fresh pineapple. [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_344b.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_344b.html) You can alter the receipe. Using two cans of 7-up instead of water should allow the (floating) pineapple filled Jell-O to gel. ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2004, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-pineapple-jell-o/233640/4 "2004-03-17T01:57:00Z")
> [@Fatman](#): > > Regarding the Jell-O warning that it cannot gel with fresh pineapple. > [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_344b.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_344b.html) > > You can alter the receipe. Using two cans of 7-up instead of water > should allow the (floating) pineapple filled Jell-O to gel. I see no reason why this should work, but I don’t see why it shouldn’t. To that end, please post an exact procedure to follow that you say will yield Jell-O with fresh pineapple embedded. I will attempt it as soon as possible. I encourage others on the board to do the same. Let’s get some science going. ---
**Author:** ![Fatman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d2c977/32.png) [@Fatman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fatman)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-pineapple-jell-o/233640/5 "2004-03-17T19:05:30Z")
> [@Fatman](#): > > Using two cans of 7-up instead of water > should allow the (floating) pineapple filled Jell-O to gel. I forgot the marshmellows! According to this receipe it needs marshmellows to gel. > **[7-up Salad Recipe - Food.com](https://www.food.com/recipe/7-up-salad-31680)** > > This sounds weird, it tastes great. My mom made this every thanksgiving and Christmas. I lost the recipe, then found something similar and added the ingredients that mom had in her salad. To me its comfort food and a walk down memory lane. According to this receipe it can be made without marshmellows if the pineapple is heated [http://fruitpages.recipezaar.com/29910](http://fruitpages.recipezaar.com/29910) Marshmellows are made of gelatin and sugar… ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-pineapple-jell-o/233640/6 "2004-03-18T14:16:21Z")
Related question: If you let the Jello gel and then added fresh pineapple, would the Jello un-gel (liquify)? ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-pineapple-jell-o/233640/7 "2004-03-18T17:44:53Z")
If it’s already jelled, **Annie-Xmas** , then how would you add the pineapple? You’d have to stir up the Jell-O to get the pineapple inside, and then you’ve sort of un-jelled it already. Unless you’re asking, if you put pineapple on top of the Jell-O, would a puddle of de-jelled Jell-O form around it? The column linked by the OP is from 1974! it really gives me pause; that questioner complaining about his girlfriend is an old man now! And probably still complaining about his girlfriend or wife… ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy154](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ad7895/32.png) [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-pineapple-jell-o/233640/8 "2004-03-23T10:57:43Z")
Adding FRESH pineapple to a bowl of unset Jell-O will stop the gelling. The pineapple has an enzyme that interferes with the process. Analagous to the enzyme in papayas being used in a certain brand of meat tenderizer. Adding canned pineapple is OK, because the pineapple has been heated enough to inactivate the enzyme. Simmer the fresh chunked pineapple in a LIGHT sugar syrup, and heat it to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Not enough heat to turn it into what comes out of a can, but enough to allow the gelatin to set. You can also safely use the canned pineapple syrup as part of the water for making the Jell-O. Frozen pineapple must be heat treated as well. ---
**Author:** ![watsondog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@watsondog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watsondog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-pineapple-jell-o/233640/9 "2004-03-25T06:54:45Z")
> [@Fiver](#): > > The column linked by the OP is from 1974! it really gives me pause; that questioner complaining about his girlfriend is an old man now! And probably still complaining about his girlfriend or wife… Shock and horror - he could be FIFTY!! OMG how ancient is that??? Do you think he’s in a nursing home?? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Younguns…