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How To Make Simple Lychee Jelly Recipe And Ingredients

Lychee jelly is a refreshing dessert that is perfect for hot summer days. Here’s the scoop on lychee jelly recipe!

close up of lychee jelly ball on bowl with drink

This jelly is made from lychee fruit, which is a tropical fruit that is native to China and southeast asia. 

Lychee jelly is a great way to enjoy the sweet and juicy flavor of lychee in a new and exciting way.

Making lychee jelly is surprisingly easy, and it only requires a few simple ingredients. 

The basic recipe for this fruity jelly involves mixing agar agar powder with coconut water or lychee nectar, boiling the mixture, and then letting it set in the refrigerator. 

You can also add sugar, fresh milk (like coconut milk or almond milk), or almond extract to the mixture to enhance the flavor. 

Once the jelly is set, you can cut it into bite-sized pieces and serve it as a refreshing dessert or snack.

Ingredients

small bowl of lychee jelly balls with garnish

Lychee jelly is a refreshing dessert that can be enjoyed on its own or added to drinks like bubble tea with some ice cubes or boba pearls. 

It’s a favorite sweet treat in Hong Kong, along with almond jelly and coffee jelly (the coffee jelly recipe is extremely popular online and can be found on most social media platforms).   

The easy recipe for lychee jelly requires only a few ingredients. 

Here are the ingredients you will need to make lychee jelly:

  • Lychee fruit or lychee nectar
  • Agar agar powder
  • Sugar
  • Water

Agar agar powder is a plant-based, vegan substitute for gelatin that is commonly used in Asian desserts. 

The jelly powder is derived from seaweed, specifically red algae, and is a great alternative for vegetarians and vegans. 

Agar agar powder can be found in most Asian supermarkets or online.

If you can’t find agar-agar powder, using gelatin powder is perfectly fine. 

Lychee fruit is a tropical fruit that is sweet and fragrant. 

It is native to China but is now grown in many countries around the world, even the United States. 

What Each Ingredient Is

balls of lychee jelly in bowl

Lychee fruit can be found fresh, canned, or frozen in most grocery stores. 

If you cannot find fresh lychee fruit, you can use lychee nectar, lychee juice, or a can of lychee instead. 

Sugar is used to sweeten the lychee jelly. 

You can adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste preference and daily values. 

It is recommended to use granulated sugar for this recipe.

A few cups of water are used to dissolve the agar agar powder and sugar. 

You can use tap water or filtered water for this recipe. 

It is important to use a bowl of cold water when dissolving the agar agar powder to prevent clumping.

The ingredients needed to make lychee jelly are lychee fruit or nectar, agar agar powder, sugar, and cup water in about equal portions. 

These ingredients are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive.

Preparation

lychee jelly balls in bowl with garnish

Making lychee jelly is a simple process that requires only a few ingredients and minimal effort, even if it’s your first time preparing it.   

Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients. You will need the following vegan ingredients of lychee nectar or syrup, agar agar powder, and sugar. You can also add coconut water or milk for extra flavor.
  2. In a small saucepan, pour the lychee nectar or syrup and sprinkle the agar agar powder over it. Stir well until the powder is fully incorporated. If using gelatin, sprinkle gelatin powder or place gelatin sheets in a saucepan or small bowl instead. 
  3. Heat the mixture that includes hot water over medium heat and bring it to a boil. Stir continuously for about one minute until the agar agar is completely dissolved. 
  4. Add sugar to the jelly mixture and stir until the simple syrup of hot sugar dissolves fully. You can adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste preference. A brown sugar syrup could be made as well to go into the mixture. If you’re looking for less sugar intake for your calorie diet, some sugar substitutes include agave syrup or stevia.   
  5. Then, pour gelatin mixture or agar agar into a small glass container or silicone mold. Let it cool down to room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before placing it in the refrigerator to set.
  6. The jelly should be set within a few hours, but it’s best to leave it in the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours or overnight for a firmer, jelly-like texture.
  7. Once the jelly is set, remove it from the mold or container and serve chilled. You can garnish it with fresh lychee fruit, mint leaves, or coconut flakes for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.

Process

bowl of lychee jelly with spoon

Overall, making lychee jelly is a fun and easy process that can be customized to your liking. 

Experiment with different flavors and toppings to create your own unique version of this delicious dessert.

Keep in mind that nata de coco could be used as a perfect option to thicken the jelly, as it’s coconut gel that usually comes in small cubes.

This will give your simple mixture a lychee coconut jelly flavor.  

If there’s any excess water left over, you could even make a delicious drink of fruity bubble tea, whether black tea or green tea, out of fresh lychee fruits used in this simple recipe. 

A lychee boba tea with jelly boba, boba pearls, or tapioca pearls is very popular among regular teas and milk teas. 

These fruit teas have yellow colouring due to the half lychee fruits being used. 

Don’t forget to use milk tea powder when making your iced cold lychee tea. 

You could also have hot tea made out of lychee tea bags whenever it’s cold out. 

Additionally, this versatile fruit could be used for lychee jelly cream puffs, lychee syrup, and ice cream-based desserts. 

Tips and Tricks

lychee jelly on plate with garnish on top

Making lychee jelly can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging if you’re new to the process. 

Here are some tips and tricks to help you create the perfect lychee jelly every time:

Use fresh lychees

The quality of your lychee jelly will depend largely on the quality of your lychees. Make sure to choose fresh, ripe lychees with a sweet fragrance.

Use agar agar powder

Agar agar powder is a natural gelling agent that is derived from seaweed. It is a great alternative to gelatin and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Make sure to use the correct amount of agar agar powder as specified in the recipe.

Add sugar to taste

Lychee jelly is naturally sweet, but you can adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding sugar.

little lychee jelly balls with fruit on plate

Make sure to dissolve the sugar (or cup syrup of brown sugar) completely in the liquid before adding the agar agar powder.

Chill the mixture before pouring

Before pouring the lychee mixture into a container, make sure to chill it in the refrigerator for at least 10-15 minutes. This will help the mixture set more quickly and evenly.

Use silicone molds for fun shapes

If you want to make your lychee jelly more fun and interesting, consider using silicone molds to create unique shapes and designs.

You could also use a sharp knife and cutting board to cut your jelly sets into small cubes. 

Serve with fresh fruit

yellow lychee jelly on plate

Lychee jelly is delicious on its own, but it can also be served with fresh fruit for added flavor and texture.

Try serving your lychee jellies with more tropical fruits that are sliced, such as strawberries, kiwi, or mango, for a refreshing and colorful dessert.

If you don’t have fresh fruit, you could use canned fruits. To emphasize the flavor of this lychee jelly flavor, add some canned lychee. 

By following these tips and tricks for this simple recipe, you can create a delicious and visually appealing lychee jelly that is sure to impress your guests.

Final Thoughts

This lychee jelly recipe presents a delightful and refreshing way to enjoy the exotic flavors of lychee.

With its simple yet captivating preparation process, this dessert offers a taste of indulgence that is sure to please all palates.

The unique and aromatic essence of lychee permeates every spoonful of the jelly, creating a captivating sensory experience.

Whether served as a standalone treat or incorporated into various desserts and beverages, this lychee jelly is a versatile addition to any culinary repertoire.

Embrace the sweetness and elegance of this recipe, and let the enchanting taste of lychee transport you to a world of pure enjoyment and bliss.

So, indulge in this delightful lychee jelly and relish the joy it brings with each delectable bite.

lychee jelly recipe Pinterest image

Lychee Jelly Recipe

small bowl of lychee jelly balls with garnish

Lychee jelly is a refreshing dessert that is perfect for hot summer days. 

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • Lychee fruit or lychee nectar/ syrup
  • Agar agar powder
  • Water
  • Sugar

Instructions

  1. Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients. You will need the following vegan ingredients of lychee nectar or syrup, agar agar powder, and sugar. You can also add coconut water or milk for extra flavor.
  2. In a small saucepan, pour the lychee nectar or syrup and sprinkle the agar agar powder over it. Stir well until the powder is fully incorporated. If using gelatin, sprinkle gelatin powder or place gelatin sheets in a saucepan or small bowl instead. 
  3. Heat the mixture that includes hot water over medium heat and bring it to a boil. Stir continuously for about one minute until the agar agar is completely dissolved. 
  4. Add sugar to the jelly mixture and stir until the simple syrup of hot sugar dissolves fully. You can adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste preference. A brown sugar syrup could be made as well to go into the mixture. If you’re looking for less sugar intake for your calorie diet, some sugar substitutes include agave syrup or stevia.   
  5. Then, pour gelatin mixture or agar agar into a small glass container or silicone mold. Let it cool down to room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before placing it in the refrigerator to set.
  6. The jelly should be set within a few hours, but it's best to leave it in the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours or overnight for a firmer, jelly-like texture.
  7. Once the jelly is set, remove it from the mold or container and serve chilled. You can garnish it with fresh lychee fruit, mint leaves, or coconut flakes for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.

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