Jelly Belly are small bean-shaped candies of all colors, each representing a particular flavor . Besides, they are all worth tasting! But, be careful, because among them there are some clever little ones that denote and can provoke in you a certain effect of disgust... If you know the mythical scene of the “booger” candy in the Harry Potter saga, well, you know what we're talking to you about.
Anyway, let's discover the history of these legendary candies together!
Straight from the United States, from a factory nestled in Illinois, Jelly Bellys have been a staple of the candy industry since the 1970s. They are indeed among the most famous in the world. Colorful and full of different flavors, they can be enjoyed as a treat throughout the day but also during special events such as birthdays, weddings, Halloween or Easter.
Did you know that only 8 flavors existed initially? This is a far cry from the number we count today, which has continued to grow since the beginning; there are no less than 100 references hidden behind their bean shape. By expanding the range, more and more people were tempted and, among them, many fans of original, unusual and even disconcerting flavors!
Taste fruit candies, caramelized popcorn, Pina Colada or cheesecake but be careful not to come across one with onion and olive or worse: vomit.
These little soft candies are made from certain ingredients that can be described as “base” and that we actually expect to find in the composition such as sugar, tapioca or corn syrup, pectin, starch and small amounts of lecithin (emulsifier), anti-foaming agents, beeswax, salt and confectioner's glaze.
Others are added to the list in more or less large quantities to give each candy the taste intended for it: natural and artificial flavors and colors, chocolate, coconut, puree or fruit juice, peanuts, vanilla, oils, cream or dried eggs, milk or fruit powder.
Initially, if the attraction for these candies lay in the fact that each of them had bright colors, preferences and desires evolved over the years to finally be mainly interested in the flavors.
The first were as follows:
Today, among the 100 references on the market, find vanilla, redcurrant, raspberry, spicy cinnamon, peanut butter, toasted marshmallow, cotton candy, donut, ice cream, chocolate and banana, etc. According to the Jelly Belly teams, the popular flavors of these candies vary depending on the region of the world .
Thus, Americans do not consume the same as Indians, just as the latter do not consume the same as the French or Germans.
We can see this, for example, with the cherry flavor which is very popular in North and South America, with the lime flavor which is more popular in Asia, the Bubble Gum taste for Australia, the Tutti- frutti in Europe and the Baie bleu taste which tops the list in the Middle East.
But that's not all !
This can also vary by age . Indeed, older generations will be more likely to prefer authentic flavors such as popcorn, coconut, pear or licorice while young people will lean towards flavors such as blue berries, green apple, raspberry, tart apple or watermelon.
If you want to throw an evening on the theme of discovery, know that there are also specific collections with unusual flavors. Only the most daring will be able to succumb to temptation...
Watermelon or booger? Kiwi or dead fish? Ice cream or liver and onions? Among these Jelly Bellys, which one will you come across? There's only one way to find out...
