Jungle Products Organic Shortening
July 9, 2008 by Marye Audet
Filed under Reviews
Last year about this time I did a post on my experimentation with Organic Shortening. I used Spectrum Naturals and was less than enthused at the results.
It was frustrating because leaf lard is really the only lard you want to use for baking, and I had no access to that, and I dislike the hydrogenated aspects of shortenings like Crisco. I know that they are saying that it has 0 transfats per serving but the government allows a certain leeway in that and sometimes there are actually more that is admitted to on the label.
But without Crisco how are you going to get a flaky pie crust or a smooth pure white buttercream?
There is a new shortening on the organic market. I don’t know where you can get it. (Big help, aren’t I?) It is not available at Amazon yet. The Jungle Products website does not even have it. I got mine at my health food store. Anyway, keep your eyes open for it because it is good stuff.
It does have a lower melting point than Crisco and was pretty loose when I kept it in my pantry. DO remember that we live in Texas and I don’t use air conditioning. In any normal environment it would probably be fine. I keep mine in the fridge and it gets a little too firm but about 10 minutes on the counter and it is ready to go.
It is called Jungle Shortening and is organic, non-hydrogenated, and really good. The results in buttercream are perfect, and the pie crust is flaky. It is alot like working with Crisco.
It is made from cold pressed palm and sunflower oils. It is very white so your white frostings will be white and not beige. And it is smooth not grainy, which was my problem with the Spectrum brand.
If you can find it check it out. I have seen a lot of positive reviews on the Spectrum but I really disliked the texture. This is much better…and hopefully they will be marketing it better soon.
Never heard of this one. Need to check it out.
I hadn’t heard of it, either. I’ve basically been avoiding shortening for way too long. Thanks so much for this review!
Have you tried it for cake icing yet? That’s my main use for Crisco. I’d love to find a substitute. I’ll have to see if I can track it down in Ohio:)
You are welcome Jen.!
Linette- yep and that is what I am saying..you get a nice creamy texture although it will soften a bit in 100 degree heat, unlike crisco based icing. I got mine at whole foods.. do you have one?
We have a Whole Foods, not real close (about an hour away). When I get that way I’ll check it out. I’ll also keep checking to see if I can find it online. Thanks for the tip:)
sure linette!
I have tried several organic shortenings in the past. I thought Spectrum brand was horrible, Tropical Traditions makes a good virgin palm oil shortening. The best by far is Jungle shortening. I made pie crust and biscuits that all turned out very flaky and yummy! I found it at Whole Foods market. I contacted the manufacturer to get more information about it but have not received any feedback from them yet. I would like to buy Jungle shortening bulk, if anyone out there knows where I can find it bulk, please let me know.
Vicki, other than whole foods I don;t know. COuld you maybe et Whole foods to order it for you in bulk?
I want it. lol
Hi Everyone
Thanks so much for you kind words about this product. My mom started this company a few years ago and I thought I would write on her behalf because she is really busy at the moment.
It is really exciting to hear all of you using this product how our family envisioned it in the original discussions. My mom is an amazing baker and it sounds like you all are as well!
Right now Whole Foods and smaller health food stores are the best place to get it but I can promise you that Jungle Products is just about to get a new website and it will be available soon. You can also ask your local store if they use UNFI as a distributor. If so, they can order it for you.
In the meantime, thank you all for your patience, support and willingness to not only try a new product but write about it. Please know all of us appreciate your support and feedback.
Ted Robb
For those interested, I just picked up some of this at Whole Foods yesterday. They used to have the Spectrum there (which I have used in the past) but this is the only shortening I could find there now. I’m glad to hear that you’ve had good success with it. I can’t wait to try it out myself.
I am REAL excited about getting this product. I just found out our little, but VERY AMAZING, health food store carries it. I am a baker by trade and LOVE to use vegan, organic and just “plain old good for you” products. Ted, PLEASE thank mom for us! >^.,.^<
I love the Jungle shortening. I bought it a Whole Foods. It was my first attempt a making pie crust and I made 4 pies with delicious flakey crusts. I used the recipe on the can and found it very easy to use. Of course it was more expensive than Crisco but as I said I made 4 pies, 2 double crust and 2 single crust and I have enough for another double crust pie. Great product. Joyce
ok well i am doing a science project on banana bread. i make one with all organic non- prossesed ingredients, and one with the name brand prossesed foods like crisco, regular milk.etc… and see which one molds faster. so can some one help by giving me some organic non-prossesed ingredients. like bananas, nuts,sugar,baking soda and powder?
))
thanx a bunch!!!!!!
Marissa you should be able to get everything you need at WHolefoods or other natural food store. Just make sure the labels say organic.
While it does result in a flaky texture, I find that the taste is terrible in goods that rely on fat for flavor. I tried this in biscuits and could not finish them, so, bakers, beware. It may be good for crusts but bad for cakes, cookies or biscuits.