Gummy Bear Fever – It’s contagious, but don’t be afraid to catch it!
Have you ever wondered where gummy bears came from, how they’re made, or what’s new? Discover all the answers, here and now! Then, once you’re filled with all the yummy details, you’ll appreciate all those yummy gummy bears even more!
gummy bear story
Gummy bears were originally made in the 1920s by a German named Hans Riegel. He founded his own candy company under the name Haribo (HA from Hans, RI from Riegel and BO from Bonn, the town where he lived). At first, Mr. Riegel only made hard candy. Later, he experimented with a fruit-flavored jelly and used a special mold in the shape of a dancing bear (“Tanzbär”). The first gummy bears made in the United States were produced in 1981 by the Herman Goelitz Company (renamed the Jelly Belly® Candy Company). That same year, Trolli® introduced the gummy worm, a candy concept that was inspired to delight children.
How are they made?
Step 1 – All the required ingredients such as jelly, sugar and juice to name a few are placed into large heated cauldrons.
Step 2. While stirring with large paddles, colorants and flavors are added. The gummies are usually fruit flavored and come in a variety of five different colors, usually red, yellow, green, clear, and orange. The flavors of each color may vary by candy company.
Step 3. When everything has been fully combined, the mixture is forced through the nozzles and into the starch powder mold trays. The molds and their contents are left to rest for three to five days.
Step 4. The gummies are released from the molds and a light coating of beeswax is applied to them to make them shine and prevent them from becoming too sticky. Finally, they are packaged and shipped around the world ready to be sold to both adults and children.
The Bears respond to the demand for individual flavors
Hey, that’s a different colored bear! Have you ever planned a party and tried to find candy in one or two particular colors? Maybe pink for your baby shower, or blue and white for the football event, or maybe your party colors are red and yellow. Now you can get jelly beans in individual flavor colors too! How cool is that! Choose from Beary Blue Raspberry, Bodacious Banana, Cherry So Cherry, Granny Smith Apple, Groovy Grape, Lotta Lemon, Ornery Orange, Passionate Peach, Perky Pineapple, Red Raspberry, Suntuous Strawberry, and Wild Watermelon!
The invasion of the giant Gummi bears?
Looking for a truly unique experience? How about a giant Guumu bear? These giant bears are bigger and better than ever! Weighing in at nearly five (that’s right, 5) pounds, we have the world’s largest gummy bear: at 5.5″ wide, 3.5″ deep, and 9″ tall, that’s the equivalent of 1,400! regular sized gummy bears! Even better, these monsters come in a variety of flavors and colors including: Cherry (red), Blue Raspberry (blue), Cola (brown), Lemon (yellow), Grape (purple), Orange , pineapple (light yellow), green apple and pink bubble gum.
Maybe you want big, but not huge. In that case, you might consider the Giant Gummi Bears. These guys are 4 inches tall and about 90 times the size of their junior counterparts! They’re even available in a handy lollipop stick for easy eating. They are also available in the flavors and colors of their older brothers.
chocolate bears
Do you love chocolate and gummies? Then take a look at these. Gourmet gummy bear flavors dipped in rich, creamy milk chocolate. I’m not sure who invented them, but they’re good! Especially when the flavors include apricot, strawberry, raspberry, strawberry and banana, orange and marshmallow.
So there you have it. From humble beginnings in a small town, Gummi Bears have become favorites around the world. And with all the new ways to enjoy them, they should stay that way for a LONG time.