Gvac
03-31-2002, 05:18 AM
Jelly Beans Come in Bold New Flavors
Saturday, March 30, 2002
By Christopher Doering
WASHINGTON ? Jelly bean lovers beware: the Easter bunny might have some unusual treats stashed in your basket this year.
Today's jelly bean lovers are snacking on new-age flavors such as liver, booger, ear wax and sardines. These magical candies, popularized in the Harry Potter book series and movie, are just some of the new flavors that have been introduced to keep the century-old product jumping off candy shelves.
"Flavor pretty much drives sales," said Dave Hoffmann, editor of Candy Business Magazine. "The lifeblood of the confectionery industry is innovation and new products."
Jelly bean flavors were much the same for more than 75 years until 1976 when Jelly Belly Candy Co., widely considered the gold standard of the industry, introduced eight "true to life" candies that used natural ingredients for flavoring.
The California-based company now offers 50 flavors including chocolate pudding, very cherry, licorice and the most popular bean ? buttered popcorn. Jelly Belly sells more than 14 billion of the chewy treats beans each year with only one-third of sales during the traditional Easter season.
And while these sweet flavors are a far cry from those eaten by Harry Potter, candy-loving aficionados aren't afraid to offer ideas for unconventional flavors.
"People write in all the time with flavor ideas, and some of those get pretty crazy," said Tomi Holt of Jelly Belly. "Sometimes they come up with really great flavors, but sometimes they are flavors we will never be able to pull off."
Among recent suggestions discarded, Holt said, were nacho, pickle and liver.
<img src=http://gvac.50megs.com/images/FallonGvac.jpg>
I salute the incomparable Mr. WWFallon for another outstanding sig pic.
Saturday, March 30, 2002
By Christopher Doering
WASHINGTON ? Jelly bean lovers beware: the Easter bunny might have some unusual treats stashed in your basket this year.
Today's jelly bean lovers are snacking on new-age flavors such as liver, booger, ear wax and sardines. These magical candies, popularized in the Harry Potter book series and movie, are just some of the new flavors that have been introduced to keep the century-old product jumping off candy shelves.
"Flavor pretty much drives sales," said Dave Hoffmann, editor of Candy Business Magazine. "The lifeblood of the confectionery industry is innovation and new products."
Jelly bean flavors were much the same for more than 75 years until 1976 when Jelly Belly Candy Co., widely considered the gold standard of the industry, introduced eight "true to life" candies that used natural ingredients for flavoring.
The California-based company now offers 50 flavors including chocolate pudding, very cherry, licorice and the most popular bean ? buttered popcorn. Jelly Belly sells more than 14 billion of the chewy treats beans each year with only one-third of sales during the traditional Easter season.
And while these sweet flavors are a far cry from those eaten by Harry Potter, candy-loving aficionados aren't afraid to offer ideas for unconventional flavors.
"People write in all the time with flavor ideas, and some of those get pretty crazy," said Tomi Holt of Jelly Belly. "Sometimes they come up with really great flavors, but sometimes they are flavors we will never be able to pull off."
Among recent suggestions discarded, Holt said, were nacho, pickle and liver.
<img src=http://gvac.50megs.com/images/FallonGvac.jpg>
I salute the incomparable Mr. WWFallon for another outstanding sig pic.