by Chrystina Trulove-Reyes

Created on: March 26, 2009   Last Updated: August 21, 2009

People from around the world have heard of and tasted the fruity sweetness that is presented in a bean-like form. This is one of the few candies, world-wide, that has withstood the test of time. This candy has even earned its very own holiday in America, which is thought to have been started by President Ronald Reagan.

The jelly beans have made their place in society as an all-time favorite throughout history. However, the exact date of their creation is believed to date back to biblical times. The first jelly bean-style candy is thought to be Turkish Delight. It is even possible that Jesus ate this form of jelly bean as he grew up.

The first ad promoting jelly beans was released in the 1800s. The ad was promoted to the soldiers, who carried it during the civil war as energy boosters.

Making jelly beans consists of several steps that take several days to complete. The first step is to make the center. Ingredients are mixed together in boilers. After becoming liquid, they are then poured into trays that have been starched, to prevent sticking, and allowed to cool overnight. The next day, the beans are removed and sprayed with water and sugar. They are then left alone for several more days.

The next step is called "panning". Panning was actually invented by the French in the seventeenth century. Before they become mechanized, people would put the center of the jelly bean in a "pan". The person holding the pan would then start moving it in a circular motion, causing bean to roll around the center of the pan. A second person would then pour small amounts of a sugar mix into the pan. The bean would roll over the sugar and create a "shell" around the bean. Now machines have replaced the panning process. The pans are called engrossing pan.

Before finishing the shell, colors and flavors are added. This finishes the unique look of the jelly bean. These beans are then glazed and polished, which is a process that can take several more days. Due to its shape, it has been synonymous with Easter since the early nineteen hundreds.

The United States makes almost 20 million of these tiny beans for distribution during Easter. However, there are jelly beans for just about every kind of celebration, from birthdays to weddings and even Valentines Day.

According to Jelly Belly, the most popular flavor until 1998 was Very Cherry, which was then replaced by buttered popcorn for five years. Very Cherry took back its top spot by a mere eight million beans. They also say that enough jelly beans were eaten in 08 to circle the earth five times.

Ronald Reagan loved jelly beans. The blueberry flavor was created in 1981, for his inauguration. An amazing three tons of jelly beans were consumed during the party afterwords. There is even a portrait of Reagan made from over ten thousand jelly beans, in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Jelly beans have been all over the world and eaten by people such as Ronald Reagan and possibly Jesus Christ. In fact, jelly beans have even been around the entire world. Ronald Reagan sent some with the astronauts when they went into orbit in 1983.

There are thousands of flavors in both gourmet and traditional varieties. There are bound to be some that peak your interest. After all, even Harry Potter could not resist trying a few of Bertie Bott's Ever Flavor Beans.

Learn more about this author, Chrystina Trulove-Reyes.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.