Why We Love Jelly Babies
A Sweet Journey Through History, Flavours, and Pop Culture
Jelly babies have to be best things that ever happened to the confectionery world. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy candy shaped like a plump little infant, sounds a bit odd right?
In this blog we go deeper into the whimsical world of Jelly Babies.
Corner shops have had the best days with the jelly babies as they are the best profit maximisers. Why? Two reasons, number one has to be the jellly babies multiple colours which act as a beautiful addition on the display stand.
Number two, the little plump infant shaped sweets have found a home in ceremonies like baby showers and gender reveal parties alike. Their shape appeals perfectly to ceremonies like these and not only this but they have a great kick of sweetness. So when you will be crafting your charcuterie board, make sure to add in the Jelly Babies
These iconic British sweets have been delighting taste buds and sparking conversations for over a century not only from their crazy plum baby shape but also the double kick of sweetness they come with.
But behind their innocent appearance lies a surprisingly dark and fascinating history from the peculiar Victorian origins to their status as a pop culture Buzz Sweets uncovers why we love these tasty treats.
The Accidental Birth of Jelly Babies
An Austrian Confectioner's Happy Mistake
Jelly Babies story dates back to 1864 with an Austrian confectioner named Herr Steinbeck. He worked at Fryers of Lancashire as the main man for creating a mold for jelly bears.
However, his creation looked more like new-born infants than bears.
Now as most companies would do which is to scrap off the bad molds, the company surprisingly embraced the mistake and the “Unclaimed Babies” were born. Now to the "woke" generation or to our modern sensibilities, this moniker sounds utterly horrifying, what kind of name is that?
However, in Victorian England, where the abandonment of infants on church steps was an unfortunate reality, the name didn't raise many eyebrows. In fact, some might have found it darkly amusing.
What exactly makes up a Jelly Baby
These little chubby sweet characters are made from a mixture of components the standard being glucose syrup, sugar and gelatin with added flavourings and food coloring.
Now for anyone who has had these deligtful babies you know that the Jelly babies have a very unique texture. This unique texture comes from the gelatine, when gelatine is added to the mixture it gives the babies a “squishiness” characteristic.
The molding process of each Jelly Baby is a slow and careful procedure that involves each baby being molded to resemble a plump infant, complete with a head, arms and legs.
This anthropomorphic quality is a part of their enduring appeal which makes eating a Jelly Baby becomes a playful, if slightly macabre, experience.
World War I and Jelly Babies
This is where the story gets interesting as the tale of our gelatinous infants takes another turn.
So Bassett a renowned English confectionery company founded in Sheffield by George Bassett in 1842 began mass-producing the sweets
Here comes the real game changer, so as World War I drew to a close, the company saw a great opportunity to rebrand itself.
So they decided to discard the grim "Unclaimed Babies" moniker in favour of a more appealing and optmistic name that would coincide with season the "Peace Babies” in 1981.
This new identity celebrated the end of the Great War and resonated with a public eager to embrace peacetime. Peace Babies enjoyed popularity throughout the interwar years, becoming a symbol of sweeter times ahead.
However, the outbreak of World War II brought production to a halt. Rationing of raw materials meant that these sweet babies, like many other treats, had to be put on hold while the nation focused on more pressing matters
Bassett’s relaunched the sweets under a new name that would stick to what we know: Jelly Babies.
This rebranding marked the beginning of their modern era and a meteoric rise in popularity.
The Colourful World of Jelly Baby Flavours
Each Jelly Baby colour corresponds to a specific flavour, though these have evolved over time:
- The red Jelly Babies are strawberry flavoured
- Orange are orange flavoured
- Yellow are lemon flavoured
- Green are lime
- Purple are flavoured in blackcurrant
- Pink are raspberry flavoured.
Some variations even include unique flavours like bubblegum or tropical fruit blends.
Nutritional Information and Ingredients
While delicious, Jelly Babies are a treat to be enjoyed in moderation. Here's a quick nutritional breakdown (per 100g): Calories: 325 kcal, Carbohydrates: 77g (of which sugars: 52g), Protein: 2.5g and Fat: 0.1g
Key ingredients include glucose syrup, sugar, modified starch, fruit juices, and various flavourings and colorings.
For those with diet restrictions, the Jelly babies are not vegetarian friendly as they contain beef gelatine but they are gluten free.
The Jelly Baby Experience
Speaking of eating, Jelly Baby enthusiasts have developed various methods of consumption over the years. Some prefer to bite off the head first, while others start with the limbs.
Some particularly patient fans even suck on the sweet until it dissolves entirely. This interactive eating experience sets Jelly Babies apart from other candies and adds to their charm.
Did you know? The psychology behind this is fascinating. The act of eating a human-shaped candy allows consumers to playfully transgress social norms in a safe, sweet context.
It's a form of regression, allowing adults to play with their food in a way that's usually discouraged. This combination of nostalgia and mild rebellion contributes to the Jelly Baby's enduring popularity across generations.
The Head-Biting Debate: Some fans insist on biting the heads off first, while others save them for last. Which camp are you in?
Jelly Babies and Doctor Who
The sweets' cultural cachet continued to grow in the following decades. Jelly Babies gained unexpected fame thanks to the British sci-fi series Doctor Who.
The Fourth Doctor, played by Tom Baker, often offered Jelly Babies to friends and foes alike, making the candy a symbol of the character's eccentricity. ‘
This association cemented Jelly Babies as not just a confectionery, but a British institution.
Jelly Babies and The Beatles
The 1960s saw Jelly Babies catapult into the realm of pop culture. In a stroke of marketing serendipity, George Harrison of The Beatles reportedly mentioned that the Jelly Babies were his favourite treat.
This off-hand comment led to fans pelting the Fab Four with the gummy sweets at concerts, most notably in Cardiff.
Suddenly, Jelly Babies weren't just candy – they were cool.However, American fans often used harder jelly beans instead, much to the band's dismay!
Jelly Babies Fun Facts
- Each Jelly Baby has a name and personality, according to Bassett's:- Brilliant (red), Bubbles (yellow), Baby Bonny (pink), Boofuls (green), Bigheart (purple), and Bumper (orange)
- The manufacturing process of Jelly Babies takes 2-3 days from start to finish.
- In 2009, a limited edition "Victorian" Jelly Babies range was released with flavours like plum pudding and apple custard.
- Jelly Babies have made cameo appearances in various books, including Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, adding a touch of whimsy to literary worlds.
FAQ
Q: Are Jelly Babies suitable for vegetarians?
A: Traditional Jelly Babies contain gelatin, making them unsuitable for vegetarians. However, some brands now offer vegetarian versions using alternative gelling agents.
Q: How long do Jelly Babies last?
A: Properly stored in a cool, dry place, Jelly Babies can last up to 12 months.
Q: Can you make Jelly Babies at home?
A: While it's challenging to replicate the exact texture and shape, you can make homemade gummy candies with similar flavours using gelatin, fruit juice and sugar.
Q: Are Jelly Babies gluten-free?
A: Most Jelly Babies are gluten-free, but it's always best to check the packaging, as ingredients can vary between brands and production batches.
Q: Why are they called Jelly Babies?
A: The name comes from their jelly-like texture and baby-shaped form, which was originally an accident in the manufacturing process.