A History of Jelly Beans
Did you know that the origin of the jelly bean is still unknown? There are suspicions, however, that they descend from Turkish Delight, a treat that was popular in Biblical times.

- Jordan Almonds, which are the other possible origin of the modern day jelly bean are also made this way and were made popular in the 1600’s in France.
- The first appearance of what would become the modern day jelly bean was promoted to Union Soldiers during the Civil War.
- It takes 7 to 21 days to make a jelly bean.
- There are 130 calories and 37 grams of sugar in one serving of jelly beans which equals about 35 jelly beans.
- In the early 20th century, a “jelly-bean” was slang for a man of style and no substance.
- They were the first candy to be sold by weight rather than by piece.
- They were originally sold by color.
- Peak jelly bean season is Easter, but that is a recent development which began in the 1930’s.
- The jelly bean is associated with Easter because of its egg-like shape.
- They were President Reagan’s favorite candy and he used them to help him quit smoking when he was the governor of California.
- Jelly Belly jelly beans became the first jelly beans in space when they traveled aboard the 1983 Challenger Space Shuttle
- Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans from the Harry Potter books and movies are manufactured by Jelly Belly and include flavors like ear wax, pepper, avocado, marmalade and caviar.
Categories: Encyclopedia
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