Circus peanut facts for kids
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| Type | Confectionery |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, pectin, soy protein, food coloring, artificial flavor |
| 150 kcal (628 kJ) | |
Circus peanuts are a unique type of marshmallow candy from America. They are shaped like peanuts, but they don't taste like them! These candies have been around since the 1800s. Back then, they were often sold unwrapped as "penny candy" in stores called five-and-dime stores.
Contents
What Are Circus Peanuts?
Circus peanuts are soft, chewy candies. Today, the most common kind is orange and tastes like banana. This banana flavor is artificial, meaning it's made in a lab, not from real bananas.
How They Are Made
These candies are mostly made from sugar and corn syrup. They also contain gelatin, which gives them their chewy texture. Other ingredients include pectin, soy protein, and food coloring to give them their bright orange look. Artificial flavors are added to give them their distinct taste.
A Bit of History
When circus peanuts first came out, they were often orange-flavored. They were only sold during certain times of the year. This was because there wasn't good packaging to keep them fresh. In the spring, you could find them as "penny candy" in many shops.
In the 1940s, things changed. New packaging, like cellophane wraps, became common. This meant that circus peanuts could be sold all year long. This helped them become a popular treat.
Different Colors and Flavors
While orange and banana are the most famous, circus peanuts have come in other colors too. You might have seen yellow, pink, or white ones. Each color sometimes had a different flavor. However, orange is still the most popular color, and banana is the most common flavor.
Who Makes Them?
Several companies make circus peanuts today. Some of the main producers include Melster Candies, Spangler Candy Company, and Brach's. Even though different companies make them, the candies are usually very similar.
An Unexpected Connection
Did you know that circus peanuts helped create a famous breakfast cereal? In 1964, an employee at General Mills chopped up some circus peanuts. They added the pieces to a bowl of Cheerios. This experiment led to the invention of Lucky Charms cereal! The marshmallow shapes in Lucky Charms were inspired by these chewy candies.
