As a parent navigating the middle ground between striving for perfection and embracing a laid-back approach, my guiding principle often becomes “good enough.” Rather than filling holidays with elaborate Pinterest projects and homemade goodies, my celebrations are typically overflowing with store-bought treats and whatever candy is popular at the time.
Halloween means indulging in fun-sized Kit-Kats and Reese’s Cups; Christmas brings candy canes and an assortment of cookies; Valentine’s Day is all about chocolate; and Easter? Well, that’s the season for jelly beans, jelly beans, and even more jelly beans.
I pride myself on being an inclusive candy lover – I don’t snub Peeps and I have yet to meet a chocolate I wouldn’t enjoy. Nonetheless, some jelly bean flavors truly baffle me. According to recent data from CandyStore.com, the most popular jelly bean flavors left me shaking my head in disbelief. If these showed up in my Easter basket, I might just reconsider the Easter Bunny’s visit altogether.
I wasn’t particularly shocked to discover that Illinois, where I currently reside, favors chocolate jelly beans – though I must admit, it felt disappointingly basic. Being in the heart of the Midwest, I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything more adventurous. Interestingly, my home state of Wisconsin, along with Oregon, Alabama, Alaska, and Florida, all share a fondness for watermelon jelly beans. Not too surprising either, considering watermelon is a classic, albeit somewhat mundane, flavor.
My personal preference aligns with this year’s top contender – buttered popcorn. While it may sound off-putting, the combination of buttery richness, the saltiness of popcorn, and the sugary sweetness of jelly beans creates a surprisingly delightful treat. Not everyone shares my enthusiasm, however. Candy Store reports that this flavor is highly divisive. “Thousands rave about this smooth, salty, and savory jelly bean, while others recoil at the mere mention. Some even leave scathing feedback in their surveys…”
The real shocker, though, is the runner-up flavor: black licorice. What even is that? Black licorice is a perplexing choice, and I’m genuinely astonished that it held the top spot until this year. Other notable flavors include cinnamon, cherry, pear, green apple, toasted marshmallow, and coconut. Yes, please! I’ll gladly take a handful of each.
Ultimately, the sweetest aspect of any holiday is the candy. Always. Even if it includes a black licorice jelly bean.
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In summary, jelly beans spark joy and conversation, reflecting both beloved traditions and quirky tastes. From the classic chocolate to the controversial black licorice, each flavor brings a unique experience to our holiday celebrations.