Gelita
Halal Bovine Gelatin 200 Bloom - 12 sheets
Gold quality gelatin for mousses, mirror glazes, and desserts
Gelita 200 Bloom Halal bovine gelatin sheets are the go-to gelling ingredient to successfully make your mousses, mirror glazes, panna cottas, and desserts while respecting a pork-free diet. Made in Germany by Gelita, the world leader in food gelatin for over 145 years, this Gold quality 200 Bloom gelatin guarantees firm cutting and a melting texture in the mouth. Pack of 12 pre-weighed sheets (about 20 g total).
Why choose this gelatin
- Halal certification: produced from bovine collagen selected according to halal criteria, an alternative to pork gelatin without compromising technical quality.
- Gold quality, 200 Bloom: firm gelation and perfect firmness when cutting, essential for multilayer desserts and complex bavarians.
- Neutral taste and appearance: colorless and odorless, preserves the flavors of vanilla creams, the brightness of red fruit jellies, and the transparency of mirror glazes.
- German industrial consistency: Gelita is the reference for professional pastry chefs and the global food industry for product consistency.
- Pre-weighed sheets: each sheet weighs about 1.66 g for precise dosing without an ultra-precise scale.
- Convenient format: 12 sheets per pack, packaging suitable for everyday pastries as well as prestigious creations.
Understanding the Bloom index: why 200 Bloom makes all the difference
The Bloom index is the unit of measurement for the gelling strength of gelatin. Named after Oscar T. Bloom, an American engineer who invented the test in 1925, it indicates the pressure required to push a 12.7 mm piston into a standardized gel: the higher the index, the firmer the gelatin sets.
Common classifications:
- Bronze (125 to 155 Bloom): standard gelatin, soft gelation. Simple recipes (light jellies, aspics).
- Silver (160 to 180 Bloom): medium quality, versatile. Often available in supermarkets.
- Gold (190 to 220 Bloom): professional quality. Firm gelation, perfect firmness. This is the category of this Gelita 200 Bloom.
- Platinum (235 to 265 Bloom): ultra-premium quality, molecular cooking workshops.
Practical consequence: with 200 Bloom (Gold quality), you use less product for the same firmness compared to standard gelatin 150 to 170 Bloom. Finer texture in the mouth, less rubbery perception, better flavor preservation. This is why professional pastry chefs use 200 Bloom and above.
Instructions: the 4 steps
To fully benefit from 200 Bloom, strictly follow these 4 steps. Respecting each step determines the final gel quality.
- Hydration: soak the sheets in a large volume of very cold water (ideally 5 to 10 °C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Cold water prevents the gelatin from dissolving prematurely. Use a wide bowl and separate the sheets well.
- Wringing: remove the sheets and press them firmly between your hands to extract excess water. A well-hydrated but well-wrung sheet weighs about 6 to 7 g (versus 1.66 g dry). Crucial step: excess water dilutes your final preparation.
- Dissolution: incorporate the squeezed sheets into your hot liquid, at a minimum temperature of 35 °C, ideally between 45 and 60 °C. Stir gently until fully dissolved. Do not boil after adding: above 80 °C, the gelling power degrades.
- Setting in cold: place your preparation in the refrigerator (4 °C). The final structure stabilizes after 12 to 24 hours of rest. For complex pieces, a full night is recommended for optimal slicing firmness.
Dosages according to your recipes
Standard dosing guidelines for Gelita 200 Bloom gelatin (Gold quality):
- Airy mousse: 3 sheets (5 g) for 500 ml. Light and melting texture.
- Multilayer bavarois and entremets: 4 sheets (6.6 g) for 500 ml. Firm hold when sliced.
- Classic panna cotta: 2 to 3 sheets (3.3 to 5 g) for 500 ml of cream. Traditional Italian texture.
- Mirror glaze: 4 to 5 sheets (6.6 to 8.3 g) for 500 ml. Shiny and flowing hold before setting.
- Crémeux and insert: 1.5 to 2 sheets (2.5 to 3.3 g) for 500 ml. Texture between cream and gel.
- Fruit jelly: 2 to 3 sheets (3.3 to 5 g) for 500 ml of juice. Adjust according to the fruit's acidity.
- Homemade marshmallow: 8 to 10 sheets (13 to 16.6 g) for 500 g of sugar. Characteristic airy texture.
- Savory aspics and terrines: 4 to 5 sheets (6.6 to 8.3 g) for 500 ml. Holds at room temperature for a few hours.
Precision tip: to adapt a recipe from another gelatin to 200 Bloom, use the inverse Bloom ratio. If a recipe calls for 6 sheets of 150 Bloom, use about 6 x (150/200) = 4.5 sheets of 200 Bloom for the same firmness.
Culinary applications
- Fine pastry: chocolate mousses, fruit mousses, multilayer bavarois, crémeux, mirror glazes, marshmallows, glazed toppings.
- Frozen desserts: stabilization of homemade ice creams, smooth sorbets without crystallization, frozen parfaits. Allows preparations to keep their structure for several days in the freezer.
- Verrines and plated desserts: classic Italian panna cotta, multilayer fruit jellies, delicate set creams, light service mousses.
- Savory gourmet cooking: seafood terrines, aspics for buffets, set reduced sauces, creative gelling in molecular cuisine.
- Confectionery: classic marshmallows, colored marshmallows, fruit jellies, artisanal gummy candies.
Halal gelatin, pork gelatin, or agar agar: comparison
There are three families of gelling agents in pastry. Each has its own technical characteristics:
- Halal bovine gelatin (this product): sourced from halal-certified bovine collagen. Pork-free, alcohol-free. Smooth and creamy texture. Compatible with all dietary beliefs except strict vegetarians.
- Standard pork gelatin: derived from porcine collagen (skin and bones). The most common in supermarkets. Technical performance equivalent to bovine gelatin but incompatible with halal and kosher diets.
- Agar agar: plant-based gelling agent derived from red algae. Does not provide the same texture as animal gelatin: firmer gel, more brittle, without the smooth melting texture. Suitable for Asian jellies but unsuitable for mousses, panna cotta, and traditional mirror glazes. Vegan compatible.
For a dessert served to guests with varied dietary beliefs (weddings, baptisms, communions, religious celebrations), halal bovine gelatin is the most universally accepted choice: it suits halal, kosher, Christian, and secular beliefs, without compromising the expected professional texture.
Technical characteristics and composition
- Brand: Gelita
- Format: pack of 12 sheets, approximately 20 g total
- Unit weight of one sheet: approximately 1.66 g (calibrated for precise dosing)
- Composition: 100% bovine gelatin
- Origin: Germany (Gelita production)
- Strength index: 200 Bloom (Gold quality, professional category)
- Certification: halal, pork-free, alcohol-free
- Appearance: transparent sheets, slightly tinted, colorless once dissolved
- Taste: neutral, without any particular odor
- Storage: dry place, room temperature (15 to 25 °C), protected from strong odors and light. Can be stored for several years without loss of gelling power. Check the best before date on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How many sheets for 500 ml of preparation?
For a classic mousse or panna cotta: 3 sheets (5 g). For a mirror glaze: 4 to 5 sheets. For marshmallow: 8 to 10 sheets. Adjust according to desired firmness and the acidity of the liquid (acids require slightly more).
Why use very cold water for hydration?
Very cold water (5 to 10 °C) prevents gelatin from dissolving prematurely in the soaking water. If the water is warm, you lose gelling power. Rule: cold water for hydration, hot liquid for dissolution.
At what temperature should gelatin be dissolved?
Ideally between 45 and 60 °C, minimum 35 °C. Never boil after adding gelatin: above 80 °C, the gelling power degrades. If your preparation has boiled, let it cool down to 60 °C before incorporating the gelatin.
How long does it take for the preparation to set in the fridge?
Stable structure after 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator (4 °C). For simple items (panna cotta, jelly), 4 to 6 hours is enough. For multilayer entremets, a full night is recommended.
Is 200 Bloom gelatin suitable for mirror glazes?
Yes, it is the reference quality for professional mirror glazes. Firm hold is essential to stick to the frozen entremet without dripping, while maintaining flexibility when cutting. Count on 4 to 5 sheets for 500 ml of standard mirror glaze.
Can gelatin be replaced with agar agar?
Agar agar is plant-based but does not provide the same texture. Gelatin offers a creaminess and a unique melting sensation in the mouth, essential in mousses, panna cotta, and mirror glazes. Agar agar works for simple jellies but significantly changes the outcome of traditional recipes.
Does gelatin have a particular smell or taste?
No. Gelita gelatin is processed according to high industrial purification standards. Completely neutral in taste and smell, it does not alter the delicate flavors of vanilla, red fruits, or white chocolate.
How to store unused sheets?
In their resealed original bag or in an airtight container, at room temperature (15 to 25 °C), away from strong odors and direct light. Dry gelatin can be stored for several years without losing its gelling power.
To go further
Complete your selection of technical ingredients for pastry:
- Discover our complete range of gelatins in sheets and powder.
- Perfect your finishes with our range of ready-to-use mirror glazes.
- Add character to your preparations with our selection of food colorings.
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