The History of Jelly Beans: From Ancient Roots to Iconic British Candy

If you were to peek into an Easter basket today, you'd almost certainly find a few rainbow-coloured packages of jelly beans tucked among the chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks. With their bright colours, dazzling array of flavours, and satisfying mix of chewy and crunchy textures, jelly beans have become an iconic British candy with a real nostalgic flavour of your childhood memories a true substitute in the Buzz Sweets retro hamper . But have you ever wondered about the humble origins of these popular confections?

While Buzz Sweets has a jelly beans collection in nearly endless varieties from classic flavours like cherry and lemon to the tangy citrus and juicy berry, they descended from two ancient confectionary traditions - Turkish Delight and French panning. Let's take a look at how these traditions came together to create the jelly bean as we know it.

The Jelly Bean’s Earliest Roots Have A Turkish Delight

You know that soft, squishy centre of jelly beans that we can’t resist? Its roots go way back to the Turkish Delight , a thick, gel-like sweet treat that’s been around since the good old days. Even though the original recipes are lost in time, we know that by the 15th century, folks in the Ottoman Empire were already munching on these sticky, often rosewater-flavoured desserts. With a texture that reminds us of today’s gummies or Jell-O, Turkish Delight was the inspiration for the jelly bean’s irresistible centre.

But what about the jelly bean’s signature hard shell? That’s an even older story, starting with a technique called “panning” that was first whipped up in 17th century France. Back then, candy makers found a way to give almonds and other nuts a shiny sugar shell by spinning them in special pans filled with sugar syrup. As the syrup dried up, it crystallised into a glossy, crunchy coating. This cool process was later used to give our beloved jelly beans their iconic shape and crunch. 

Why Are They Called "Beans?"

Ever wondered why these sweet treats are called “jelly beans?” Back in the 1800s, beans were a common part of meals. A smart candy maker thought, “Why not shape our jelly candies like beans?” And so, the jelly bean was born - a bean-shaped jelly delight with a hard shell.

Fast forward to today, and Buzz Sweets , one of the top jelly bean brands in the UK, still sticks to that classic bean shape that’s been around for over a century. We may not know who first came up with the name “jelly bean,” but their idea to shape candies after everyday beans was pure genius. It’s a fun reminder of how something as common as beans inspired a candy we all love.

Why Are Jelly Beans Associated With Easter?

Ever wondered why jelly beans are a must-have in your Easter basket? Well, for the first few decades, jelly beans were just another penny candy with no specific ties to Easter. But in the 1930s, these colourful candies started to become an Easter tradition, probably because their egg-like shape made them a perfect fit for the holiday.

The bond between jelly beans and Easter got even stronger in the 1960s, thanks to a certain sweet-toothed politician - Ronald Reagan. Whether as the Governor of California or later as President, Reagan was rarely spotted without his trusty jar of jelly beans. He loved them so much that he made sure they were available in every room of the White House! Reagan’s public affection for jelly beans played a big part in turning them into an iconic Easter treat. So, when you’re munching on those jelly beans this Easter, remember you’re enjoying a bit of sweet history!

Where Can I Get Jelly Beans in UK?

Buzz Sweets has become the Big Ben of Jelly Beans in the UK producing a mix of flavours in all sized packs from kid bags , share packs and 1Kg Jelly Bean bulk bags for corner shop owners.

With an assortment of fruity and vibrant taste, our jelly beans flavours include juicy strawberry, tangy lemon, and zesty orange, as well as more adventurous options like bubblegum blast and tutti-frutti. Our jelly bean sweets can be perfectly enjoyed in many ways from mixing these sweet baddies in your ice cream to adding them as topping for your cake or just munching them straight from the bag, there is truly no wrong way to enjoy Buzz jelly beans.

Here at Buzz we value inclusion and that is why we make it our top priority to make sweets that can be enjoyed by all including those with diet restrictions. Hence our jelly beans are perfectly suited for vegetarians with a sweet tooth.

National Jelly Bean Day

The candies have achieved such iconic status that they've inspired their very own celebratory "holidays" like National Jelly Bean Day on April 22 and Jump for Jelly Beans Day on July 31, giving fans extra excuses to indulge their cravings. With new flavours still being introduced every year, the enduring appeal of jelly beans is clear.

So while jelly beans may seem like simply another everyday candy today, they actually descended from exotic ancient delicacies and innovative confectionery techniques over many centuries. From the royal courts of France and the kitchens of the Ottoman Empire to an unexpected presidential endorsement and pop culture phenomena, these colourful candies have a surprisingly rich history behind their fun exterior. The next time you bite into a beautiful Jelly Belly jelly bean, you can appreciate the incredible journey this simple sweet has taken across centuries and cultures to delight your taste buds.