[littl3chocobo]

haha, well it depends on the country and the decade but powdered gelatin was in use in the very late 1800s, i know the last decade of the century for sure had it though reputable(ie not built around brand or based on home/church kitchen) books did not talk too much about it and either a assumed you'd just know or else would have basic instructions for a homemade gelatin in all the books i own on the subject i think only one actually gives full instructions on the matter X''D it was just taken for granted that cookbooks were an addition on the cooking you'd learn either from family or from apprenticeship and many would use the default dimensions of a branded food(ie 1 box jello gelatin) regardless of how official they were or if they were brand loyal in their preparation


oops XD i can see why you would though, food history if absolutely fascinating<3<3 i have likely read more books on food than i have actual school texts hahahaha for sure i have owned more!


prepackaged food reduced daily cooking time for people by so much! it was super desirable XD


cold-set with food inside= acceptable
used as a plate with the food on top= not acceptable


anything between the two depends on who you ask, personally i am uptight and am in the party of 'needs to have coherency' so just adding canned tuna, marshmallow bits and mayo in a lime jello all straight from their respective containers is simply unforgivable XD however a baked tuna flank immersed in a fish jello with bits of vinegar mayo and lime/lemon slices totally is alright even if it is topped with a sweet meringue haha