A little reason to celebrate
National Jelly Bean Day
Food ยท April 22
A day for jelly beans, the small, glossy, chewy candies with a soft center and a shell that comes in nearly every color and flavor.
National Jelly Bean Day falls on Thursday, April 22, 2027. That is 177 days away.
Jelly beans are small, bean-shaped candies with a chewy center and a thin, shiny shell. The center is made mostly of sugar, corn syrup and starch. The shell is built up in a rotating pan, a process called panning, which gives each bean its smooth coat.
Part of the appeal is the variety. A single bag can run from cherry and lemon to licorice, coconut and buttered popcorn. Some people eat them by the handful and let the flavors blend. Others sort by color first and eat them one at a time, which turns a snack into a small tasting session.
The day is mostly marked by sharing a bowl. Jelly beans travel well, keep for a long time and do not melt in a pocket the way chocolate can. That makes them easy to set out at a desk, pass around a table or tuck into a lunch.
Guessing games are an old favorite too. A clear jar of jelly beans and a slip of paper for guesses has kept many an office and school fair busy. The count almost always lands higher than people expect, because the beans pack tightly.
Flavor pairing is worth a try. Eating two different beans together can produce a new taste, and some fans swear a lemon and a cherry make a fair copy of fruit punch.
Ways to celebrate
- Sort a handful by color and guess each flavor before tasting.
- Set out a jar and ask friends to guess how many beans it holds.
- Try eating two flavors at once to invent a new combination.
- Share a small bag with a coworker or neighbor.
- Rank your favorite and least favorite flavors with your household.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday, April 22 |
| 2027 | Thursday, April 22 |
| 2028 | Saturday, April 22 |
| 2029 | Sunday, April 22 |
| 2030 | Monday, April 22 |
Also on April 22
Categories: Food days