Jelly Beans: The Tiny Candy with A Big History!

The jelly bean is somewhat of an enigma of the candy world. How do they pack so much mouth-watering flavor in such a small package? While jelly beans have been a staple of Easter baskets, and kid’s candy collections for well over a century, we thought it would be fun to explore this tiny corner of candy history. It’s one that has brought the humble jellybean from a simple sweet treat to the experimental, sometimes fantastically groundbreaking flavors gourmet jelly beans have become today!

The Brief and Bizarre History of the Jelly Bean

While the true origins of the jelly bean are a bit of a mystery, most candy historians agree that this chewy, candy-coated treat draws inspiration from a couple of much older confections. The gooey center may have evolved from the Turkish delight, a centuries-old treat known for its soft, gel-like texture. Add a crunchy outer shell, similar to the hard sugar coating used in Jordan almonds, and you've got a candy that comes with some real staying power!

The glossy candy shell is created using a process called panning, which involves tossing the candies in large revolving drums while gradually adding layers of flavored corn syrup or glaze. This method was pioneered in Europe and perfected by American candy makers sometime in the 1800s.

One of the first major mentions of the jelly bean in the United States came as early as 1861, when Boston candy maker William Schrafft allegedly encouraged his customers to send jelly beans to Union soldiers fighting in the American Civil War. While there’s no hard proof they made it into soldier rations, the story adds to the mystique surrounding this sweet little bean.

So, Why the Bean Shape? Well… Why Not?

Candy makers in the late 1800s and early 1900s were no strangers to playing with shapes and symbolism. Much like candy corn, which debuted as “Chicken Feed” in the 1880s with its now-famous tri-color layers and agrarian appeal, jelly beans simply may have been shaped with familiarity and marketability in mind.

Beans were a common, humble food, one that was definitely associated with nourishment, agricultural advancements, and accessibility. That soft, rounded shape was also easy to coat using the panning process, making it ideal for mass production. At a time when mellowcreme pumpkins, turnips, and even clover-shaped candies were the rage, it’s not too far-fetched to imagine that a simple bean just... made sense.

Candy history is often quite the mystery. People simply did not keep track of who invented what, or where things originated at the time. I’ve been combing through old newspaper articles about candy from the 1800s to the early 1900s in my free time, searching for answers to many questions that have turned out to be unanswerable. While we don’t know exactly who invented jellybeans, or exactly when that happened, sometimes all we can do is try to narrow it down and make some purely educated guesses.

Jelly Beans Take the World by Storm in the Modern Era!

The word “jelly bean” was added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary in 1905, but they didn’t really become known as an Easter candy until sometime around the 1930’s. Their small, egg-like shape and rainbow-bright hues made them a natural fit for Easter baskets and seasonal displays. Sold as penny candy by the scoop or even as a jar of jelly beans, they were affordable, accessible, and beloved by children all over the world!

As time rolled on, brands like Brach’s began churning out millions of jelly beans annually, with classic licorice and fruit flavors that became synonymous with springtime traditions. But the major game-changer came in 1976, when a small California-based company called The Herman Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly) revolutionized the industry with the invention of their “gourmet jelly bean”.

Unlike traditional jelly beans that had only sugar-flavored centers with fruit-scented shells, Jelly Belly beans were flavored inside and out. The company began with eight flavors, including Very Cherry, Tangerine, Grape, Lemon, Licorice, Green Apple, Cream Soda, and Root Beer. These were flavors that felt very bold and sophisticated at the time.

Jelly Belly gourmet jelly beans were tiny, glossy, and packed with flavor. They were a huge hit, and soon the company was producing dozens of imaginative and sometimes outrageous flavors, including the now-infamous buttered popcorn, which debuted as the first savory-flavored jelly bean in 1989.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that President Ronald Reagan was one of the most prominent fans of jelly beans. A longtime jelly bean enthusiast, Reagan famously began keeping jars of jelly beans on hand during his gubernatorial campaign in California to help him quit smoking. As President, he kept them in the Oval Office, on Air Force One, and even distributed them during meetings.

In fact, Jelly Belly sent two and a half tons of their jelly beans to his inauguration in 1981. They even famously invented a new flavor for the jellybean-loving president: blueberry, which further solidified that jelly beans had officially gone from a nondescript penny candy, to one worthy of presidential prestige!

Jelly Beans Now Go Year-Round (and Off the Rails!)

Once reserved mostly for springtime and pastel-hued Easter basket candies, gourmet jelly beans have long since broken out of their seasonal boundaries. Thanks to some incredibly imaginative flavors, creative packaging, and pop culture tie-ins, jelly beans are now a year-round favorite! And in some cases, they’re an all-out experience. From boba tea to booby traps for your taste buds, today’s jelly beans truly push the boundaries of what candy can be.

Jelly Belly – Barbie

Straight outta the Barbenheimer movie craze of 2023 that never went away, you can now step into a world of sparkle, pink, and fashion-forward flavor with this limited-edition Barbie jelly bean mix from Jelly Belly. Featuring shimmering hues and sweet-as-dreams flavors like jewel bubble gum, strawberry cheesecake, cotton candy, jewel very cherry, and strawberry boba milk tea, this bag is the perfect treat for fans of Barbiecore and gourmet candy alike!

Jelly Belly – All American Mix

Celebrate in red, white, and chew with Jelly Belly’s patriotic peg bag! This festive trio includes blueberry, coconut, and very cherry jelly beans, ideal for summer holidays, 4th of July parties, or anyone craving a pop of sweet American history in every bite.

Jelly Belly Boba Milk Tea Gift Box

For boba tea fans who might want to try their favorite drinks in bean form, this gift box is a must-have! Featuring five smooth and trendy flavors: mango milk tea, taro milk tea, matcha milk tea, strawberry milk tea, and Thai milk tea, this box offers a flavorful journey through your favorite sippable sensations! Plus, it’s allergen-friendly and OU Kosher, making it a gift-worthy treat for nearly everyone.

Jelly Belly Bean Boozled Spinner Tin – 7th Edition

Take the ultimate flavor gamble with Bean Boozled! This game-style spinner tin features 20 jelly beans in 10 look-alike pairs—one delicious, one disgusting. Is that toasted marshmallow or stink bug? Peach or barf? There’s only one way to find out. With the included spinner and a whole lot of luck, you’ll be laughing (or possibly gagging) through every hilarious round!

Jelly Belly Bean Boozled Fiery Five Challenge

Think you can handle the heat? Fiery Five cranks up the spice with sriracha, jalapeño, cayenne, habanero, and the face-melting Carolina Reaper. These beans pack a serious punch… seriously, they almost brought tears to our eyes! Even fans of the hottest Hot Ones hot sauces will find themselves reaching for a glass of milk! Eat with caution… because these candies are the hot fire!

Warheads Sour Jelly Beans

Since 1985, Warheads have set the gold standard for extremely sour candy, and now they’ve taken that tangy, face-puckering talent to jelly beans! Each bean has a tart sour shell and a sweet, fruity center, with flavors like watermelon, lemon, green apple, orange, blue raspberry, and cherry. These are a must-have for sour candy fans looking to make their taste buds tingle!

Baby Shark Character Fan with Organic Jelly Beans

Do-do-do you know a kid who loves Baby Shark? This fun and functional candy fan features the iconic shark character and spins with the push of a button. Inside the handle, you’ll find plenty of organic jelly beans, a sweet surprise that makes this an irresistible novelty treat. (And, parents: Don’t worry! These candy fans don't play the song I'm sure you're totally not sick of yet… we promise!)

Harry Potter Butterbeer Jelly Beans with Mini Glass Mug

Cheers, wizards! These Butterbeer-flavored jelly beans taste just like the frothy brew served in Hogsmeade, no spellcasting required! Packaged in a collectible mini glass mug, this magical treat is perfect for Potterheads and butterscotch candy lovers alike. Makes a charming gift for the aspiring wizard in your life, or simply a nostalgic keepsake for fans of all ages!

Whether you prefer the classic sweetness of fruity flavors, the surprise (or terror) of Bean Boozled, or the immersive magic of character-themed treats, jelly beans have evolved into a creative, year-round confection that’s as imaginative as it is irresistible. Stocking your store with a wide variety of options – from gourmet to game-worthy – ensures that every customer can find a favorite flavor, a perfect gift, or a jelly bean adventure they didn’t see coming.

With a bean for every taste, and one of the largest selections of popular candy, sodas and snacks your customers are looking for, Redstone Foods is America’s favorite candy distributor! Sign up for an account with us today or give us a call. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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