Jelly Beans

The small, sweet, colourful bean treats that makes most bellies ask for more.

The origin of jelly beans is unknown. However it is said that Turkish delight was the start of the jelly bean.  One of the earliest references that have been found is from Boston, with a candy maker by the name of William Schrafft. He urged everyone to send jelly beans to the soldiers that were fighting in  the Civil War at the time.

And by the 1930’s jelly beans were part of Easter. Due to the shape it was seen as an egg.  As well as a treat that took the nation by storm and was sold as penny-candy.  And so, jelly beans worked their way into politics, holidays, music and slang.

They were sold colour by colour to fit the appropriate holiday. Songs were written about them and how they were used in slang. (When a young man dressed smartly in the 1920’s).  Jelly beans could be seen though out every room in Ronald Reagan’s time at the White House. It’s said that he started eating them to stop smoking.

The Beatles made the following statement after being through by jelly bean one to many: “We don’t like jelly babies, or fruit gums for that matter, so think how we feel standing on stage trying to dodge the stuff, before you throw some more at us.”  

Then came Jelly Belly! Which was also the first jelly bean in outer space.

Traditionally the centre was uncoloured sweetened pectin, and only the harder outer shell was coloured.  By the third and fourth generation, the centre was also coloured and flavoured.  The flavouring was also used in the shell to create an explosion of flavour.  The Jelly Belly Company used real fruit juice and natural flavours.

And after that jelly beans just grew bigger and better…

Or smaller and more scrumptious

-Lize Buitendag