The present invention provides sugar beet pectin (modified sugar beet pectin) having improved or enhanced emulsifying properties and emulsion stability, compared to natural sugar beet pectin. Also provided is a method for producing the modified sugar beet pectin. The modified sugar beet pectin contains a water-insoluble component, and has a higher molecular weight after high-pressure homogenization than ordinary sugar beet pectin. The water-insoluble component absorbs water to form a hydrogel when the modified sugar beet pectin is dispersed in water at 25°C to a final concentration of 0.1 mass%.