A flavorless substance, usually obtained from animal connective tissue, that is used as a gelling agent in foods (e.g., gummy bears, cake glaze) or for other purposes.
example
Damit der Wackelpudding fest wird, muss man Gelatine hinzufügen.
To make the jelly set, you have to add gelatin.
Usage tips
Uncountable
'Gelatine' (gelatin) is an uncountable noun. If you want to specify an amount, you use measurements such as 'ein Blatt Gelatine' (one sheet of gelatin), 'ein Päckchen Gelatine' (one packet of gelatin), or a weight such as '10 Gramm Gelatine' (10 grams of gelatin).
EXAMPLE
Für diesen Kuchen benötigst du sechs Blatt Gelatine.
For this cake, you need six sheets of gelatin.
Typical verbs
In the context of recipes, gelatin is often used with certain verbs: first you have to 'in kaltem Wasser einweichen' (soak it in cold water), then 'auflösen' (dissolve it), and finally 'einrühren' (stir it into) the mixture.
EXAMPLE
Die Gelatine muss erst fünf Minuten in kaltem Wasser eingeweicht werden.
The gelatin first has to be soaked in cold water for five minutes.
Word family
The related verb is 'gelieren' (to gel/set). It means that a liquid becomes firm through the addition of gelatin or another gelling agent.
EXAMPLE
Die Panna Cotta muss im Kühlschrank mehrere Stunden gelieren.
The panna cotta has to set in the refrigerator for several hours.