February 15th is National Gumdrop Day #NationalGumdropDay and I remember as a child visiting my mom’s parents and them having Candy bowls set out with Gumdrops and Jelly Beans both Candy I don’t care for. How about you?
Even though Americans love their Candy and, luckily, several days have been set aside to celebrate specific Candies like National Gumdrop Day on February 15th which I will pass on celebrating and Charlie said he would to. As for David who know what he would do. I will ask when he gets home from work. What about you?
I wanted to remined you Gumdrops are unique in that they are not only fun to eat but Gumdrops also make great decorations. People have crafted with Gumdrops for years and because Gumdrops come in so many shapes, sizes, and colors, Gumdrops guarantee festive décor. Grab your Gumdrops and let’s get this party started!
Here is a fun fact for you. Gumdrops, are one of America’s most beloved sweets, and Gumdrops are a chewy, Gelatin Candy, most often flavored with Fruit or Spices. In their most traditional form, Gumdrops are Sugar-coated and shaped like a small dome or ‘drop.’ Although, Gumdrops have evolved, and you can now find Gumdrops with smooth coatings and in tons of fun shapes and sizes. Although, if I was going to eat them I would want Gumdrops covered in Sugar. What about you?
Did you know debates abound as to the history of Gumdrops. Some credit Percy Trusdale as the inventor of Gumdrops in 1801. The term ‘Gumdrop’ was first seen in an Illinois newspaper mentioning a local Candy shop owner, George Julier, in the 1850s.
The National Confectioners Association lists National Gumdrop Day as one of the many Candy-focused holidays we can celebrate and on which we can purchase Candy while we’re at it, of course! Being the day after Valentines makes sense for National Gumdrop because Candy is on sale. Go and see if you can find Gumdrops on sale and if you do let me know. I can use Gumdrops in Crafts with Charlie. If you find Gumdrops on sale what would you do with them and why?
With the popular trend of gourmet Candies hitting the market, you can now find Gumdrops beyond the traditional Orange, Cherry, Grape, and Lemon flavors. If you shop at Whole Foods they offer rather large Gumdrops (1 inch tall x 1 inch wide) in exotic flavors including Key Lime, Tangerine, Grapefruit, and Pomegranate. Looks like we need to take a trip to Whole Foods although me might find them online on there website. Let’s go look.
Remember the classic Gumdrop paved the way for what we know today as Gummy Candies in general, including Gummy Bears and -Worms, and even Gummy Vitamins (remember, Vitamins are not candy!) Even if they were I do not care for anything Gummy although David and Charlie love Gummy Candy. What about you?
Did you know Gumdrops, if kept in an unopened package and stored in a cool place, will last for up to 12 months?. If you choose to use Gumdrops for crafting, they will, of course, become hard but that’s ok, as long as you don’t try to eat them later!
Ways to Celebrate National Gumdrop Day
- I wanted to let you know there are many fun things you can make with classic Gumdrops including a Gumdrop garland, ornaments, sculptures, drink garnishes, or a fun centerpiece that guests can pick Gummies from. While often reserved for the Christmas Season, there’s no reason you can’t make these things for a birthday party or other festive occasion any time of the year!
- Homemade Gumdrops are quite simple to make and really taste better than store-bought ones. Purchase a few inexpensive molds to create fun shaped Gumdrops and search for a recipe online!
- Using Gumdrops and toothpicks, test your engineering skills by building structures; make it a contest with your kids or friends to see who can build the tallest structure.
Facts About Gummy Candies
- Did you know the largest Gummy Candy of any shape was made in 2014 in Germany; the Gummy Candy weighed 1,128 pounds and 12 ounces, and took six days to set during refrigeration. Isn’t that crazy?
- Cherry is the most popular Gumdrop flavor followed by Grape, Orange, and Lemon.
- Brach’s Candy holds the world record for the largest Gumdrop (in the traditional shape) at just over 10 pounds.
- Kevin ‘L.A. Beast’ Strahle set the record in 2017 by eating 31 Gummy Bears in one minute. Do you think you could beat his record because I don’t think I could and I don’t even want to try.
- The largest Gummy Bear on record was made in 2011 in Texas; weighing in at 81 pounds, this Gummy Bear was 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide and that doesn’t mean someone in the future will not make a bigger Gummy Bear does it?
Why We Love National Gumdrop Day
I wanted to let you know if your quickly bored eating the same Candy, day after day, Gum Drops can certainly keep you entertained due to their variety and colors which make eating Gum Drops fun doesn’t it?
Did you know the average American eats 22 pounds of Candy each year. That’s a lot of Candy isn’t it?. Which is why people are excited to celebrate National Gumdrop Day!
Gumdrops are a go-to food when it comes to crafts so it’s totally acceptable to play with Gumdrops as you create Gingerbread Houses or use Gum Drops in Crafts and also in in Science projects. If your #Homeschooling your students add #Gumdrops to your school supply list.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
