andrejthechef
USADessertDessertVegetarianGluten-free

Green Jelly

A bright green, trembling gelatin dessert, the one Lex is eating at the exact moment she notices the water glass vibrating in Jurassic Park.

prep
15 min
cook
0 min
total
15 min
serves
6
level
easy
Green Jelly, from Jurassic Park (1993)

In Jurassic Park (1993), a glass of water and a bowl of green jelly on a dining table both start trembling, rhythmically, as a Tyrannosaurus rex approaches outside, in one of the most tense, dialogue-free buildups in the whole film.

The exaggerated wobble is part of the charm here, so set this a touch softer than a firm jelly, and build the color up gradually until it reaches that bright, almost unnatural green the scene is known for.

Part of our 40 famous movie foods list.

method

  1. Sprinkle the gelatin over 150ml of cold water, and let it sit for 5 minutes to soften.

  2. Heat the remaining water with the sugar in a saucepan, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves, then remove from the heat.

  3. Add the softened gelatin to the hot sugar syrup, and stir until completely dissolved.

  4. Stir in the lime juice and green food coloring, adding color gradually until you reach a bright, vivid green.

  5. Pour into a bowl or individual molds.

  6. Chill for at least 4 hours, or until fully set and wobbly.

  7. If unmolding, dip the mold briefly in warm water to loosen, then turn out onto a plate. Serve with a spoon, and give it a gentle tap to watch it tremble.

chef's tips

  • A proper, exaggerated wobble is actually part of the point here; this gelatin became an unforgettable image specifically because of how visibly it trembled on screen, so don't be afraid to make it a little looser than a firm, stiff jelly.
  • Bright green coloring, added a little at a time, gets you the vivid, almost unnatural color associated with the scene, rather than a muted, natural lime green.
  • In Jurassic Park (1993), a glass of water and a bowl of green jelly both start rhythmically vibrating on a table as a Tyrannosaurus rex approaches, in one of the most tense and effective buildups in the entire film, almost entirely without dialogue.
  • Serve this in a clear glass bowl if you can, since part of the visual appeal is watching the color and the wobble together.