Jelly Beans have been associated with Easter for well over a Century

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, what do Neil Armstrong, tortoises, and jelly beans have in common? Why, they’ve all been to space, of course. President Ronald Reagan was known for being a connoisseur of the chewy candy, so much so that he provided the astronauts aboard the Challenger shuttle with a bag full of them in 1983 — a gift that resulted in charming footage of them tossing the jelly beans in zero gravity before happily eating them. Reagan was also known to break the ice at high-level meetings by passing around jelly beans, even commenting that “you can tell a lot about a fella’s character by whether he picks out all of one color or just grabs a handful.”

Jelly beans have been associated with Easter for well over a century, with food historian Beth Forrest attributing the link to three factors: shape, color, and pleasure. They’re a bit like miniature Easter eggs, with the added benefit of not needing to be painted. They’re also far from the only unexpected items to have been in space: Musical instruments (including bells and a harmonica), Lego, Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, and a pizza delivery have also found themselves among the stars.

Jelly beans have become a popular Easter candy, although the reason for this association is not entirely clear. One theory is that jelly beans were first marketed as an Easter candy in the 1930s by the Goelitz Candy Company (now known as the Jelly Belly Candy Company). At the time, they were called “Jelly Bird Eggs” and were marketed as an Easter-themed candy.

Another theory is that the egg shape of jelly beans makes them a natural fit for Easter, which is traditionally associated with eggs and new life. The bright colors of jelly beans may also be seen as symbolic of the vibrant colors of springtime.

Regardless of their origins, jelly beans have become a popular Easter candy in the United States and many other countries. They are often used to fill Easter baskets and are a common treat given out at Easter egg hunts. Some people even use jelly beans as decorations for Easter-themed desserts, such as cakes and cupcakes.