Jelly Belly

The origin of the Jelly Belly jelly bean begins back in 1976 when a Los Angeles candy distributor approached the candymakers at Jelly Belly (what was formerly known as Herman Goelitz Candy Company) with an idea for a new kind of jelly bean that would be marketed as the jelly bean with all-natural flavors.

Creating these "true-to-life" flavors seemed to be the next logical step in the candy’s evolution. In time a recipe was found for a new kind of jelly bean, which emphasized an intense flavor throughout and used natural ingredients for flavoring whenever possible.

Thus, in 1976, the first eight Jelly Belly flavors were arrived: Very Cherry, Lemon, Tangerine, Cream Soda, Green Apple, Root Beer, Grape and Licorice. Since that time, these original eight have remained the most popular flavors in the Jelly Belly line.

The moment that Jelly Belly beans hit the markets, they were a resounding success. People who tasted them were taken aback by the great flavor. A few years later, it is worthy to note that Jelly Belly became the favorite candy of former President Ronald Reagan, who eventually made the beans a staple in both the Oval Office and on Air Force One. More amazing is the fact that a new flavor was created per Reagan’s request.

Blueberry flavored Jelly Belly became part of the President’s party favors. (He wanted to be able to serve red, white, and blue jelly beans.) Consequently, diplomats and world leaders have clamored to have Jelly Belly beans. If Jelly Belly had not already ensured itself a place in history, then adding the fact that it was the first jelly bean in outer space, should close the case completely. Today, you can sample fifty amazing flavors of Jelly Belly beans.

After all this writing about jelly beans, did you know Jelly Belly Candy Company also makes over a hundred other candies?

Jelly Belly is a consummate candymaker creating top quality candies the same rich quality as Jelly Belly beans and making special confections for Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas.

You'll find these candies in many of the same gourmet shops and specialty stores where you find Jelly Belly beans.

Jelly Belly Factory

Located in Southern California, just north of San Francisco and near the wine country of the Napa Valley, the Jelly Belly Candy Factory can be just the side trip to delight the candy-lover in your family. The factory is based in the city of Fairfield is known for offering tours where you can watch Jelly Belly candies being made.

Unlike other factories that only offer tours on certain days of the week or when the factory is working, Jelly Belly offers tours seven days a week. The only exceptions would include major holidays.

With the company’s open door policy you need not worry about placing reservations but it would be wise to consider this: Almost a half million people visit the factory each year and the earlier you arrive on the premises, the less crowded it will be. Normally, the tour lasts about forty minutes, but it should be expected for visitors to end up staying sixty to ninety minutes, depending on tour frequency.

During weekly operations, visitors are invited to view the plant in action from enclosed walkways located above the factory floor. On weekends, holidays, and during the annual plant shutdown at the end of June, guides rely on videos showing the factory in action. For those who have heard about the Jelly Belly Factory but can’t make it out to the west coast, you can always visit the Jelly Belly website and take a virtual factory tour.

During the tour you are led above conveyers, trays, and bins, all filled full of thousands of jelly beans. Guides put on quite the show themselves, relating information, like it takes seven to ten days to make each of the 1.25 million beans finished each day, trivia, and gladly welcoming questions from visitors.

With a manufacturing process that includes steam baths, sugar showers and lots of rest, it all seems like some strange spa for jelly beans. At the end of the line, all the Jelly Bellies wind up in the engrossing pan, a copper dryer-like device, where each bean gets four flavored syrup and sugar coats. After they're polished, a special printer places the Jelly Belly logo on every one.