The present invention discloses a method for treating pectin containing plant material. The fresh plant material is adjusted to a pH between 3.2 and 3.9 at a temperature below 90.degree. C. to render the native pectin esterase in the plant material inactive. Thus, minimal deesterification takes place during transportation of the plant material, nor during subsequent washing and/or conventional drying of the plant material. Since the enzyme remains inactivated, the activity of the enzyme can be re-established at a later point by increasing the pH to above about 4.0. Pectin made from such treated plant material has a higher molecular weight and a lower calcium sensitivity than pectin made from the same plant material, which has not been subjected to said treatment.