On July 31 we celebrate, National Jump for Jelly Beans Day in the U.S. It’s a day dedicated to enjoying jelly beans in a lively and energetic way. Whether you’re jumping around with excitement while eating jelly beans or organizing activities centred around these colourful candies, there are many ways to participate in this whimsical day. Also, did you know that Jelly beans have been around for more than a century in the U.S. and have been able to secure themselves a position among the most consumed candies.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL JUMP FOR JELLY BEANS DAY
Did you know that Jelly beans are consumed worldwide, but widely consumed in America, even though Jelly beans are not an idea original to America? These candies have, however, taken priority over other kinds of candies in the country even with another country too, so much so that they were even sent up as a surprise to astronauts in space.
The making process of Jelly beans was inspired by the Turkish confection known as ‘Turkish delight,’ which is a soft version of this hard candy. Huge production of jelly beans exists where companies produce the candy and make them in different colours.
The first was in the 1860s, during the American Civil War, William Schrafft owner of a Boston, candy-producing company urged people to send jelly beans to soldiers fighting in the Civil War as a morale booster which marketing strategy proved effective and more people began to notice and appreciate the candy.
In the second story was when Ronald Reagan declared jelly beans his favourite candy in the 1960s. At that time his reign as president in the 1980s, a jar of it could always be found on his desk in the White House, he was so in love with jelly beans that at one point, a flavour was specially made for him.
| 1860s (Sent to Union Soldiers) | On Schrafft’s suggestion, jelly beans are sent to soldiers during the American Civil War. |
| 1930s (Jelly Beans and Easter) | Jelly beans begin to be associated with Easter because of their egg-like shape. |
| 1967 (Flavors Introduced) | Jelly bean flavours such as lemon, licorice, grape, green apple, and tangerine, among others, are introduced. |
| 1980s (Jelly Belly Jelly Beans Created) | A special type of jelly bean is made from real fruit juices. |
| 1983 (Jelly Beans Sent to Space) | President Reagan sends jelly beans to astronauts in space as a surprise. |
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT JELLY BEANS
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Made using a French process- Jelly beans are produced using a candy-making process known as ‘panning.’
- They take days to make- Jelly beans take about one to three weeks to be produced because of the panning process.
- Has numerous flavours- The Jelly Belly jelly beans-producing company makes over 100 different flavours of jelly beans, ranging from fanciful to gross flavours.
- They are widely consumed- The amount of jelly beans consumed in a year is enough to circle the earth five times over.
- First to be sold as penny candy- Jelly beans were the first candy to be sold by filling a bag and paying for it according to its weight.
FAQs
When do we celebrate National Jelly Beans?
We do celebrate National Jelly Beans Day on July 31, 2024
Are there different types of jelly beans?
Yes, there are many varieties of jelly beans with different flavors and textures.
