The Jelly Bean Journey: A Sweet Tale of American Ingenuity
1. "The Sugar Coated Soldier: Jelly Beans in the Civil War"
Once upon a time in the land of sweet-toothed freedom – that’s right, I'm talking about the United States - there was a tiny, shiny treasure known as the jelly bean. These small, bean-shaped sugar bullets might seem innocent, but their story is as colorful as their glossy exterior. Our journey begins in the mid-1800s, an era known for its innovations. Among them, William Schrafft of Boston had a candy epiphany, urging people to send his jelly beans to Union soldiers during the Civil War. The genius behind this? It's hard candy shell made them resilient to various conditions, perfect for long-distance travel.