Jelly bean

File:JellyBean1920.jpg

JellyBean1920

Jelly bean

File:JellyBeans.jpg

A variety of jelly beans

Jelly beans are small, bean-shaped sugar candies with soft candy shells and thick gel interiors. They come in a wide variety of colors and flavors, and are primarily made of sugar, corn syrup, and pectin or starch. The confection is believed to have originated in the United States during the 19th century.

History

The exact origins of the jelly bean are unclear, but it is thought to have been inspired by the Turkish delight, a Middle Eastern confection made of starch and sugar. The first known mention of jelly beans in the United States was in an advertisement published by Boston confectioner William Schrafft during the American Civil War, encouraging people to send the candies to soldiers.

Production

The production of jelly beans involves several steps:

1. Mixing and Cooking: Ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup, and starch are mixed and cooked to form a thick syrup.
2. Molding: The syrup is poured into starch molds to form the bean shape.
3. Cooling and Setting: The beans are cooled and allowed to set.
4. Shell Coating: The beans are tumbled in a rotating drum while being sprayed with sugar and flavoring to form the outer shell.
5. Polishing: The beans are polished to give them a shiny appearance.

Flavors

Jelly beans are known for their wide range of flavors, which can be broadly categorized into:

• Traditional flavors: Such as cherry, lemon, lime, orange, and grape.
• Novelty flavors: Including popcorn, cotton candy, and root beer.
• Seasonal flavors: Often released during holidays like Easter and Christmas.

Cultural Significance

Jelly beans are particularly popular during Easter, often used to fill Easter eggs and baskets. They are also associated with American culture, with Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, being famously known for his love of jelly beans.

Related Pages

• Candy
• Turkish delight
• Easter egg
• Ronald Reagan

Categories

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