Jelly Babies

Jelly Babies are a type of British sweet popular in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, as well as in Ireland. They are soft, gelatin-based candies shaped like plump babies in a variety of colors and flavors. Jelly Babies were first manufactured in Lancashire, England in the 19th century.

History

Jelly Babies were first introduced by Fry's of Lancashire in 1864 and were originally marketed as "Unclaimed Babies". During World War I, they were rebranded as "Peace Babies" to mark the end of the war. The product was relaunched as "Jelly Babies" in 1953.

Production

Jelly Babies are made using a process known as starch molding. The process involves creating a mold with cornstarch, pouring in the hot jelly mixture, and allowing it to cool and form into the shape of a baby. The candies are then dusted with powdered sugar.

Flavors and Colors

Jelly Babies come in a variety of flavors and colors. The traditional flavors are strawberry (red), lemon (yellow), lime (green), raspberry (blue), orange (orange), and blackcurrant (purple). Each color of Jelly Baby is a different flavor, and each has a name: Brilliant (red), Bubbles (yellow), Baby Bonny (pink), Boofuls (green), Bigheart (purple), and Bumper (orange).

Cultural Significance

Jelly Babies have a significant cultural impact in the UK. They are a favorite sweet of the Doctor in the popular British television series Doctor Who, and have been used in promotional materials for the show. They are also associated with the Beatles, as fans would throw them at the band during concerts after George Harrison mentioned in an interview that he liked them.

See Also

• Gummy bear
• Wine gum
• Liquorice allsorts