Jelly Belly: the American bean-shaped candy in surprising flavors!

Who invented Jelly Belly?

The Jelly Belly story is long and flavorful. It all starts in 1869 when the German Gustav Goelitz opened a candy shop in Belleville, Illinois. For generations, the family made candy, and it was in the 1960s that jelly beans became a huge hit with Americans — including a certain Ronald Reagan, who'd become an absolute fan. In 1976, candy maker David Klein teamed up with Herman Rowland (a grandson of the Goelitz line) and launched Jelly Belly, with eight innovative flavors and a brand-new concept: candies flavored all the way through, not just on the surface.

And where does that fun name come from? It's said to be a tribute to blues musician Lead Belly. Over the decades, the flavor palette kept growing to reach dozens of flavors, from the most classic to the most outrageous.

Did you know Ronald Reagan loved Jelly Belly?

Jelly beans were the favorite candy of American president Ronald Reagan, so much so that they were served at the White House during his term. A flavor was even created just for him: blueberry, so that red-white-and-blue assortments in the colors of the American flag could be put together. It's hard to get more iconic for a US candy!

The Jelly Belly universe: endless flavors

The Jelly Belly Candy Company now offers an incredible variety of candies and formats. You can pick single-flavor bags — like Cotton Candy, Licorice or Bubble Gum — or cult assortments like the Fruit Mix, the American Classics, the 10 Flavors or the Ice Cream Mix. Not forgetting the gift boxes and nicely designed candy dispensers.

BeanBoozled: dare you spin the wheel?

Launched in 2008, BeanBoozled has become an institution. The idea behind the famous Jelly Belly Challenge: two identical-looking beans, but one tastes delicious... and the other tastes absolutely disgusting! Pick at random and cross your fingers. The box with its built-in spinner makes the game even more fun (and cruel). For the bravest, the Flaming Five version offers five increasingly spicy beans: Sriracha, Jalapeño, Cayenne, Habanero and the dreaded Carolina Reaper. Thrills guaranteed!

The Chewy Candy and the licensed collections

The Chewy Candy take the bean's iconic shape but with a soft texture and a delicious tangy side, in five flavors: Sour Cherry, Sour Lemon, Sour Apple, Sour Orange and Sour Grape.

Jelly Belly also loves a collaboration. DC Comics fans will fall for the Batman-themed assortments. And above all, the big Harry Potter collection is a universe of its own: the famous Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans (with their tame flavors... or revolting ones like rotten egg and earthworm!), the Butterbeer Chewy Candy, chocolates shaped like magic wands, the golden Golden Snitch, chocolate frogs and a host of enchanted gadgets. Enough to delight every wizard!

A fan's tip: "recipe mixing"

Did you know? Jelly Belly invented a whole art of combining flavors to create new ones. Mix a Lemon bean with a Blueberry bean, for example, for a fruit-pie taste, or a Cream Soda with a Banana to evoke a banana split. The brand even publishes official "recipes." A fun little treat-game, perfect for a night in with friends!

Where to find Jelly Belly?

My American Market, your online grocery store, has selected the best of the Jelly Belly brand for you to give you maximum choice. Whether you like sweet, fruity flavors or strange, original ones, Jelly Belly are the little bean-shaped treat no one can resist. Want to mix it up? Take a look at the other candies in the shop too!