And mind you, that's all we're doing today because July 31 is "Jump for Jelly Beans Day" and not "National Jelly Bean Day." That was way back on April 22. To jump for jelly beans is to show one's love for the delightfully whimsical bean-shaped confections.
Did you know that jelly beans trace their lineage to Turkish delight and Jordan almonds? Keep that in mind the next time you're feeling all groovy with 'Merican jingoism when you see old footage of Ronald Reagan scooping mounds of the candy into his maw in the war room.
Jelly beans are also thought to have gotten their popularity boost back during the American Civil War when a Boston-area confectioner by the name of William Schrafft advertised his candies as the perfect package of sugary comfort for soldiers in the front. All these tidbits aside, no one around here and certainly in the ever-so-credible internet has any clue as to how the jumping business came about. We don't want anyone choking while jumping but here are three of the more popular jelly bean makers for you to choose from for your celebration.
See also: Beer Flavored Jelly Beans? Thanks Jelly Belly!
Jelly Belly
The Jelly Belly Candy Company of California used to be known as the Herman Goelitz Candy Company and pumps out close to 37 million pounds of candy a year, of which the majority is used to landscape the former President's gravesite at the Ronal Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. They are also responsible for the horrendous "Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans" which all Harry Potter nerds love. As a gag gift, they are great, as far as consuming them goes, they are horrible but to each their own. Who are we to judge? They did make those beer-flavored ones, remember?
Gimbal's Fine Candies
Alexander Gimbal's candies have been rolling out of the Gimbal Candy Kitchen since 1898 in San Francisco. A proud company that sees itself as a candy-maker for the everyman, Gimbal's brings that gourmet flair to the masses. While there has never been a full exploration into their connection with the start and end of the Spanish-American War, we believe there to be a tenebrous link that should be looked into. Coincidence or unholy war-time alliance? Eat a handful and let us know.
Teenee Beanee
Nothing screams Japanese school girl's panties quite like the Teeneee Beanee jelly bean. While this is clearly not the case and we can only hope never the aim of the company behind the Just Born Candy company, we can't help but wonder. Also associated with the Peeps marshmallow candies, Just Born, and we swear we didn't want to make these Freudian connections, is named after founder Sam Born who emigrated from Russia to San Francisco around 1910. Seriously, we never would've thought any of this cheeky nonsense up if it hadn't been for a chance misspelling of "Teenee Beanee" in Google that led to a rather embarrassing NSFW moment.
Now enjoy your candies and please, refrain from jumping and/or hopping while chewing.
