Jelly bean facts for kids
Jelly bean (Jelly Belly brand) flavor and color assortment
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| Type | Confectionery |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Created by | William Schrafft |
Jelly beans are small, colorful candies shaped like beans. They have a slightly firm, sugary outer shell and a chewy, jelly-like inside. These popular treats are mostly made from sugar and come in many different flavors and colors.
Contents
The Sweet History of Jelly Beans
When Were Jelly Beans First Made?
Some people say that jelly beans were first talked about in 1861. A candy maker from Boston, named Archie Andrews, supposedly asked people to send his jelly beans to soldiers fighting in the American Civil War.
However, the first time jelly beans were officially mentioned in a newspaper was on July 5, 1905. The Chicago Daily News ran an advertisement for them. It said you could buy a pound of these candies for ten cents!
Jelly Beans and Easter
Most historians believe that jelly beans became popular around Easter in the United States during the 1930s. This is probably because their oval shape looks a lot like an egg, which is a symbol of Easter.
How Are Jelly Beans Made?
What Ingredients Are in Jelly Beans?
The main ingredients for jelly beans are sugar, tapioca or corn syrup, and a thickener like pectin or starch.
They also contain small amounts of other things. These include lecithin (which helps mix ingredients), anti-foaming agents, and a type of edible wax. This wax, like carnauba wax or beeswax, gives them their shiny coating. A little salt and confectioner's glaze are also added.
The special ingredients that give each jelly bean its unique flavor and color are added in small amounts. These can change depending on what flavor the candy is.
Jelly Beans in Popular Culture
Jelly Beans and The Beatles
When the famous band the Beatles became very popular in 1964, their fans in the US would throw jelly beans at them during concerts. This was because fans in the UK used to throw a similar candy called Jelly Babies at George Harrison, who liked to eat them.
A President's Favorite Candy
Jelly beans were also the favorite candy of President Ronald Reagan. He enjoyed them very much!
See also
- Dragée
- Gummy bears
- Skittles (candy)
- Turkish delight
- Nerds (candy)
- Jelly babies
- Jujube (confectionery)
- Gumdrop
- Mint (candy)
- Jelly (preserves)
- Jelly (dessert)
- Jelly bean rule
Images for kids
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This is a 1920 sheet music cover that mentions "Jelly Bean."
