They were the most attractive beans “jumping” out of transparent acrylic boxes at Myer’s, the popular retail store in Australia. My daughter saw them first and shrieked, “May I try some?”
With her first bite, she became a Jelly Belly fanatic. She loved every “burst of flavor” inside each gummy bean and picked the flavor depending on the occasion: Mother’s Day (in pink bubble gum), St. Patrick’s Day (in green jalapeño), or the so-called Teddy Bear’s Picnic Day (in brown chocolate pudding). The only flavor she didn’t like was the one for Halloween (black licorice).
That was in 1985.When the last of my kids had flown the coop, Jelly Belly disappeared from my pantry.
Recently, I was ushered into a parlor and was given a cocktail drink. At 11 o’clock in the morning, several guests were comparing drinks. “What did you choose?” one asked. “Its called Kiwi Genie,” was the reply. Curious, I followed the waiter to another room where two ladies were busy mixing drinks.
The chief bar mixer, Lilli Ann Alcantara of Cellar Dwellers, poured a jigger of Absolut Citron mixed with Sprite, calamansi juice and cantaloupe-flavored Jelly Belly. She called this concoction “Loop da Loupe”. It was cool and refreshing.
Shortly after, I entered a dining room where bright yellow and orange sunbursts smiled on top of tables. Floral pomanders were hanging from the ceiling with Jelly Belly strings, and a dangling Aztec sun was likewise studded with jelly beans. Napkin holders had strung jelly beans and clear glass placemats featured jellybean swirl patterns that looked like mosaic tiles. These chewable creations were designed by Teddy Manuel to dress and perk up the occasion. Teddy said, “I was surprised to find many imaginative ways to use Jelly Belly aside from enjoying them as candies; as décor, drink or dessert.”
As dessert, Le Souffle’s popular chocolate soufflé was baked with bits of Jelly Belly café latte and cappuccino, making it more interesting to chew while Baba Ibazeta-Benedicto used them to enhance the flavor and presentation of her cookies and cakes.
Jelly Belly first arrived in Manila in the late ’90s through Ricky and Bubu Andres of Candy Corner. They were importing toys and selling them locally but in order to reach the minimum load of the airfreight service, they thought of bringing in jelly beans. Ricky said “Candies have become a universal symbol of sharing the good times and the exciting flavors of these jelly beans added an element of fun and surprise.” Bubu added, “It was a safe choice knowing no one could resist jelly beans.”
Jelly Belly was first manufactured in Los Angeles in 1976. It was an instant hit, with US President Ronald Reagan as its top endorser. He kept a full jar on his desk, making it a favorite treat at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Astronauts packed them in their space shuttle missions, and in recent times, with the influence of Harry Potter, shocking flavors like Soap, Dirt, Earthworm, Rotten Egg and Ham, were introduced to add a bit of mischief and cater to the most daring of the candy-eating public.
I remember my daughter’s reaction to Jelly Belly, something I found common to all candy lovers; they faced the same quandary, “What flavor do I choose…should I have a handful or what?” “That’s right,” Bubu laughed. “No matter the choice, it was sure to please the sweet tooth in us.”
Yesterday, a friend turned 60. He was whisked off to a fast food restaurant. In a room adorned with balloons, party hats, noisemakers and confetti, he was given grilled hamburger — piled three decks high — and french fries and ice cream. His wife orchestrated this theme party that caught him off guard. “Oh wow, this is baaaad,” he exclaimed. “But I love it!” he chuckled. He felt like a kid again with all rules lifted for the day. After a round of parlor games, his wife made a sober announcement, “All right, old ‘kids’, that’s enough. It’s aspirin and prescription time. One, two, three.”
We all thought the party was over until a room divider was pushed open to reveal a banquet table laden with Jelly Belly in deep fluted glass jars.
“What’s happening?” yelled the celebrant. His wife had no time to reply because there was a mad scramble for the gourmet beans.
Who ever thought fun and excitement were wasted on the young?
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For more JellyBelly decor, drinks, and dessert ideas, contact Candy Corner at bubu@candycorner.ph or ricky@candycorner.ph