#13 – You’re Just Jelly (National Jelly Bean Day)

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It all started with a business card…

Today – April 22 – is National Jelly Bean Day! And, coincidentally – and, yes, we mean an actual coincidence – this episode is all about Jelly Belly.

It all started with a business card that Kelly received ~10 years ago and never through away. A testament to a well-executed piece of marketing collateral, she kept the damn thing in her desk and only recently came across it while she was cleaning.

Jelly Belly has been in business for over 100 years and we take this episode to dive into little known facts about the candy company.

Jelly Belly was originally founded in 1869 by German immigrant, Gustav Goelitz, in Belleville, WI. The company started out making mellowcreme candy (e.g. candy corn – gag). Since then the company has evolved to what we now know as Jelly Belly, having since perfected the gourmet jelly bean over the past two generations.

Chairman of the Board, Herman Rowland; current CEO, Lisa Brasher; original Goelitz candy company in Belleville, IL

The company still remains family owned and operated. Former CEO, Herman Rowland (above left) and great-grandson of Gustav Goelitz, worked for the company since the age of 18. He is now Chairman of the Board. His daughter, Lisa Brasher – also with over three decades of experience at the company – is the current CEO.

Jelly Belly jelly beans are most notably attributed to former President Ronald Reagan’s attempts to kicking his smoking habit. The then Governor of California put the candy on the map with public praise of his admiration for the confection.

Reagan liked Jelly Belly jelly beans SO much that Rowland had a new blueberry flavor created just in time for Reagan’s 1981 inauguration so they could be red, white and blue colors available. Over 3.5 tons of jelly beans were sent for the event.

“You can tell a lot about a fella’s character by whether he picks out all of one color or just grabs a handful.”
– Ronald Reagan

art created solely out of Jelly Belly jelly beans; Reagan Presidential Jelly Belly candy jar; Reagan enjoying the candy

Jelly Belly currently has 50 flavors. Per candystore.com, the #1 and #2 most popular flavors in the U.S. are – in our opinion – the grossest flavors created. But, you do you. Licorice, seriously? Gross.

Find the most popular flavor in your state.

Jelly Belly is probably most known for their recipe campaign. With the right combination of beans, you can create a vast amount of flavors from blueberry pancakes to cinnamon popcorn.

And, for added fun, if they ever make a Jelly Belly movie, Kate Mulgrew must be cast as Lisa Brasher. Why would they make a Jelly Belly movie? Got me, they make all kinds of shit. But IF they do, Kate is a shoe in. You can’t convince me they aren’t related somehow. Look at this side by side…

Jelly Belly Martini

If you like disgustingly sweet cocktails that taste like 70 proof sugar and food coloring – straight up liquified, drunken cotton candy – this drink inspired by Betty Crocker is for you.

Ingredients

3oz vodka (flavored or not flavored up to you)
1/4 cup Jelly Belly jelly bean flavors of your choice
2oz orange flavored liqueur
Enough sugar to rim the glass – measure with your heart
A few random Jelly Belly jelly beans for garnish

Make It At Home

In small bowl, pour vodka over 1/4 cup jelly beans. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.*
Take your fancy glass and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
Use a cheese cloth to strain all the gross candy bits from your vodka concoction. Throw out the candy bits.
Strain that right into a shaker, add ice and the rest of your liqueur. Shake well.
Blend up your sugar and a few jelly beans. Pour onto a plate, get your glasses from the fridge and rim the glasses with your sugar blend.
Pour your vodka into the glasses and drop in some jelly beans for fun.
Enjoy.

*We’d love to say we loved this drink, but we’d be lying. (Ha!) If you want a faster, slightly less sweet drink, don’t infuse your vodka with the jelly beans.

Friendly reminder that calories don’t count here. If you want nutrition, you’re in the wrong place. And, as always, drink responsibly!