A cold water-soluble quick-setting low methoxyl pectin dry mix composition providing smooth, continuous and uniform gels having good texture and mouth-feel characteristics is prepared by combining a low methoxyl pectin which has been co-dried with a protective amount of buffer and a solubilizing amount of sugar with a slowly soluble calcium ion source in an amount sufficient for gel formation and a slowly dissolving edible acid in an amount which will provide a final pH of from about 3.5 to 4.5 upon dissolution of the mix in water.