Quck answer
Jelly beans are made through a multi-step process that involves mixing ingredients, shaping the candy, and adding flavors and colors. The process starts with a mixture of sugar, corn syrup, and starch, which is heated and then cooled to create a gel-like substance. This substance is then shaped into small bean-like forms using a machine. After shaping, the jelly beans are coated with a sugary shell and then polished to give them a shiny appearance. Flavors and colors are added to the jelly beans during the coating process, using natural or artificial ingredients. Once the coating is complete, the jelly beans are packaged and ready to be enjoyed.
Do you enjoy eating beans? You might be thinking, “It depends on the type of beans you’re referring to!” Green beans? Black beans? Pinto beans? Lima beans? There are numerous varieties of beans available.
However, there is one type of bean that is likely to be enjoyed by almost everyone. It has a hard exterior and a soft interior, and it is usually sweet and delicious. Can you guess what it is? Yes, it’s jelly beans!
Jelly beans are a popular type of confectionery. They are shaped like beans, with a solid shell and a soft center. They come in a multitude of colors and flavors. While sugar is the main ingredient, there are other components that contribute to their unique shape and texture.
So, how exactly are jelly beans made? To begin with, manufacturers heat liquid sugar to approximately 350 °F. They then add starch and glucose to the mixture. The resulting mixture is poured into molds made of starch, which are shaped like beans. The mixture is left to dry in the molds for a day, giving the jelly beans their chewy consistency.
Once the jelly beans are removed from the molds, they undergo steaming and are coated with more liquid sugar. Subsequently, they are placed in a spinning machine, where they are constantly rotated while artificial colors and flavors are added. This is how they acquire their final appearance and taste.
Towards the end of the process, sugar grains are added to the spinning machine four times. It is this granulated sugar that gives the jelly beans their hard outer shell. Finally, hot syrup and wax are introduced to the spinning machine at the very end, which gives the jelly beans their final glossy and polished look.
After completion, the jelly beans are dried and packaged. Sometimes they are sold in individual flavors, but more often they are packaged in mixed flavor assortments. This provides jelly bean enthusiasts with a wide range of options.
Although the history of jelly beans is somewhat unclear, some believe that their chewy texture was inspired by Turkish Delight, a Middle Eastern delicacy made of jelly and coated in powdered sugar. Jelly beans may have first appeared in the United States in 1861, when Boston confectioner William Schrafft encouraged customers to send his jelly beans to soldiers during the Civil War. Historians believe that jelly beans became associated with the Christian holiday of Easter in the 1930s.
Some of the most popular jelly bean flavors include cherry, orange, lemon, and lime. Other popular flavors include grape, licorice, lemonade, and strawberry. There are also many gourmet flavors available, such as raspberry, coconut, and popcorn. Fans of Harry Potter can even find Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, which come in flavors like marshmallow, candyfloss, and rotten egg!
Do you enjoy eating jelly beans? Or do you prefer a different sugary treat? Regardless, jelly beans are among the most beloved candies in the world. The next time you bite into the hard shell of a jelly bean, take a moment to appreciate all the effort that goes into creating these sweet snacks!
Give It a Try
Find an adult friend or family member who can assist you in exploring the activities below to continue learning:
Do you have a preferred flavor of jelly bean? Strawberry? Lemon? Raspberry? Cherry? Licorice? Or maybe something else? Have you ever had a strong desire for a specific jelly bean flavor but couldn’t find it? No need to worry! You can actually make your own jelly beans at home. Although it may take some time, the process is not overly complicated. Get a friend or family member to join you and go online to learn how to make homemade jelly beans. Take a look at the instructions and the list of ingredients, so you’ll know what you need in case you have to make a trip to the store.
Jelly beans are not only delicious to eat but they can also be used for games. Have you ever tried to guess how many jelly beans are in a container? Were you close to the actual number? Explore different mathematical methods to estimate the number of jelly beans in a jar and test your skills at home or with a friend.
Do you enjoy eating jelly beans? What are some of your other favorite candies? Make a list and include what you like about each one. Then, share and discuss your list with a friend or family member. Do they have similar preferences when it comes to sweet snacks?
Sources of Wonder:
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jelly_bean (accessed 23 April 2020)
– http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4915131_how-jelly-beans-made.html (accessed 23 April 2020)
– http://wanttoknowit.com/how-are-jelly-beans-made/ (accessed 23 April 2020)
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