Fortunately, other days have been designated to celebrate certain delicacies, including National Gumdrop Day on February 15. Not only are gumdrops enjoyable to consume, but they also make excellent decorations. People have been crafting with gumdrops for centuries, and because they come in such a wide variety of forms, sizes, and colours, gumdrops provide festive décor. So, take your gumdrops and let’s start the celebration!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL GUMDROP DAY
Gumdrops, one of the most popular candies in the United States, are chewy, gelatin candies that are typically flavoured with fruit or spices. Traditional gumdrops are sugar-coated and formed like little domes or ‘drops.’ You may now buy them with smooth coatings and in a variety of interesting forms and sizes.
Numerous arguments exist on the origin of gumdrops. Some claim that Percy Trusdale invented gumdrops in 1801. In the 1850s, the phrase “gumdrop” first appeared in an Illinois newspaper mentioning George Julier, a local candy shop owner.
National Gumdrop Day is listed by the National Confectioners Association as one of the numerous candy-centered festivals we can celebrate, and on which we can, of course, buy more candy.
Due to the rising popularity of gourmet sweets, gumdrops are now available in tastes other than the classic orange, cherry, grape, and lemon. 1 inch tall by 1 inch wide gumdrops in exotic flavours such as key lime, tangerine, grapefruit, and pomegranate are available at Whole Foods.
The traditional gumdrop opened the way for modern gummy candies, such as gummy bears and worms, and even gummy vitamins (remember, vitamins are not candy!).
If gumdrops are kept in an unopened packet and stored in a cold location, they will last up to one year. If you use them for crafting, they will turn hard, but that’s fine as long as you don’t try to eat them afterwards!
National Flag of Canada Day 2023: Date, History, Interesting Facts
5 FUN FACTS ABOUT GUMMY CANDIES
- In 2014, Germany produced the largest gummy candy of any shape; it weighed 1,128 pounds and 12 ounces and required six days of refrigeration to set.
- The most popular flavour of gumdrop is cherry, followed by grape, orange, and lemon.
- Just under 10 pounds, Brach’s Candy holds the Guinness record for the largest gumdrop (in the conventional shape).
- In 2017, Kevin ‘L.A. Beast’ Strahle established a new record by consuming 31 gummy bears in one minute.
- The world’s largest gummy bear was created in Texas in 2011, weighing 81 pounds and measuring 2 feet tall and 2 feet broad.
NATIONAL GUMDROP DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | February 15 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | February 15 | Thursday |
| 2025 | February 15 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 15 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 15 | Monday |
