Beanies, Baby--Jelly Ones

/

From Turkish delight to Harry Potter, these mini-confections are a staple at Easter. Most researchers believe jelly beans evolved from Turkish delight (some say Jordan almonds,) but they were in the United States by the mid-1800s. At that time one Boston candy maker, William Schrafft, urged people to send jelly beans as gifts to Union soldiers in the Civil War. Shaped similar to an egg, the candy became more popular for Easter baskets in the 1930s.

As far as pairing with wine (for adults!) it really depends on the flavor. Spicy jelly beans may pair with a Syrah or California Zinfandel. Some of the cherry or strawberry beans may pair with some off-dry roses or pink Moscato. Otherwise, try Prosecco or Cava—slightly dry, not overly sweet.

Do you know beans? Here are a few more fun facts about these little gems. Then watch the Discovery Channel video to see how they’re made.

  • Each jelly bean takes between 7 and 21 days to make.
  • Americans consume more than 16 billion jelly beans at Easter alone, which is enough to circle the Earth 3 times.
  • According to Jelly Belly, the gourmet jelly bean company, they sold enough beans last year worldwide to circle the Earth 5 times.
  • Speaking of circling the Earth, President Ronald Reagan, a jelly bean aficionado, sent the first jelly beans (made by Jelly Belly) into space with the space shuttle Challenger in 1983.
  • In 1976 Jelly Belly launched its initial 8 flavors: Very Cherry, Root Beer, Cream Soda, Tangerine, Green Apple, Lemon, Licorice and Grape. This year they offer 50 official flavors including Margarita, Cantaloupe, Cappuccino, Mixed Berry Smoothie, Pomegranate, Strawberry Cheesecake and Toasted Marshmallow.   
  • In spite of all the exotic flavors, Very Cherry was the number one choice until 1998 when Buttered Popcorn took over. In 2003, though, Very Cherry reclaimed the top spot.
  • Harry Potter boosted jelly beans with “Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.” In a way that only kids could love, “normal” flavors like Cherry, Lemon, Cinnamon and Tutti-Fruitti are mixed in with not-so-normal beans that taste like Earthworm, Rotten Egg, Soap, Black Pepper, Barf, and Dirt.