Jelly bean

In this article we will explore in depth Jelly bean, a topic that has captured the attention of various disciplines and that arouses great interest in today's society. Jelly bean is a topic that has been the subject of debate and study for a long time, and its relevance is still evident today. Throughout this article, we will examine the various facets of Jelly bean, from its origins to its impact on everyday life, as well as possible implications for the future. In order to provide a complete view of Jelly bean, we will analyze its positive and negative aspects, as well as its possible consequences on a personal, social and global level. Additionally, we will highlight the most recent research related to Jelly bean, with the goal of providing an up-to-date view of this constantly evolving topic.

For other uses, see Jelly bean (disambiguation).
Jelly bean
Jelly bean flavor and color assortment
TypeConfectionery
Place of originBoston, Massachusetts, United States
Created byWilliam Schrafft

Jelly beans are small bean-shaped sugar candies with soft candy shells and thick gel interiors (see gelatin and jelly). The confection is primarily made of sugar and sold in a wide variety of colors. According to one common story, they existed as early as 1861, when Boston confectioner William Schrafft urged people to buy them as gifts for soldiers in the American Civil War.[1] A more definite reference appears in food testing records of the United States Department of Agriculture published in 1887.[2] Most historians contend that jelly beans were first associated with celebrations of Easter in the United States sometime during the 1930s due to their egg-like shape.[3]

Manufacture

The basic ingredients of jelly beans include sugar, tapioca or corn syrup, and pectin or starch. Relatively minor amounts of the emulsifying agent lecithin, anti-foaming agents, an edible wax such as carnauba wax or beeswax, salt, and confectioner's glaze are also included.[4] The ingredients that give each bean its character are also relatively small in proportion and may vary depending on the flavor.

Slang

1920 sheet music cover

In United States slang during the 1910s and early 1920s. a "jellybean" or "jelly-bean" was a young man who dressed stylishly but had little else to recommend him, similar to the older terms dandy and fop. F. Scott Fitzgerald published a story, The Jelly-Bean, about such a character in 1920.[5] While previously common, the slang word has fallen out of fashion as of 2025.

When Beatlemania broke out in 1964, fans of the Beatles in the US pelted the band with jelly beans (emulating fans in the UK who threw the British candy Jelly Babies at George Harrison, who reportedly liked eating them).[6][7][8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "A Bowl Full of Jelly Bean History". National Geographic. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021.
  2. ^ U.S. Department of Agriculture Division of Chemistry (1887). Foods and Food Adulterants (Report). p. 721. Bulletin No. 13.
  3. ^ "Jelly Beans: A Colorful History and Association with Easter". AT&T. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  4. ^ "How Products are Made – Volumes – Jelly Beans". Gale-Edit. Archived from the original on 2010-05-16. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
  5. ^ Fitzgerald, Francis Scott; Bruccoli, Matthew Joseph; Baughman, Judith (2001), "The Jelly-Bean", Before Gatsby: the first twenty-six stories, University of South Carolina Press, p. 341, ISBN 9781570033711
  6. ^ "Letter reveals The Beatles' fear of jelly baby fans". mirror. May 14, 2009.
  7. ^ "George Harrison's 1963 plea: stop throwing jelly babies at Beatles" The Times 14 May 2009
  8. ^ Perry, Charles (19 March 2008). "The secret life of jelly beans". Los Angeles Times.