National Jelly Bean Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd, but nobody seems to know exactly when National Jelly Bean Day started or why. It may have begun with candy manufacturers, or avid fans who just wanted to share their affection for the irresistible treat.
No matter what the origins of National Jelly Bean Day, every April 22nd (otherwise known as Earth Day) millions of jelly bean fans coast to coast celebrate the candy that’s not just for Easter anymore.
Fun Facts about Jelly Beans
The jelly bean dates back to at least the 1860’s — when jars of the tasty treats were promoted as morale boosters for army troops fighting in the Civil War.
While egg-shaped jelly beans seem like a natural for Easter basket fillers, it wasn’t until the 1930’s when jelly beans became a permanent part of the Easter tradition.
Today, jelly beans are more popular than ever and are produced at a mind-boggling 16 billion a year. Still the most popular color of jelly bean among American kids? Red!
President Ronald Reagan was known for his love of Jelly Belly jelly beans, as he always kept a jar of the sweet treats on his desk in the Oval Office (his favorite flavor was licorice.) Reagan later became responsible for launching the very first jelly beans into space when he sent a jar to the 1983 Challenger crew as a surprise.
Jelly beans were always traditionally made from sugar and artificial flavors, but in the 1980’s a revolution in jelly bean varieties exploded with the introduction of the now famous “Jelly Belly” jelly beans. Made with real fruit juices — and in flavors such as tangerine, green apple, and very cherry — Jelly Belly soon became one of the most popular jelly beans in the nation.
How to win a year’s supply of Jelly Belly’s
And to honor this jellyrific holiday, Jelly Belly is giving you a chance to win a year’s supply for your office (or home office, wink, wink) AND get a surprise visit from Mr. Jelly Belly himself during your next virtual meeting!
“That’s right! America’s favorite jelly bean personality will join you and your colleagues to lighten up your virtual meeting. You’ll have a lot of fun, eat a lot of Jelly Belly jelly beans, and get your photo taken with Mr. Jelly Belly himself,” says the company in their promo. “Say hello to Mr. Jelly Belly and goodbye to virtual meeting fatigue!”
All you have to do is go to the Jelly Belly website and fill out their sweepstakes form. Now, go eat some jelly beans!
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