Interesting Facts About Gummy Bears

Around the world, Gummy or Gummi Bears sell in snack packs, cello bags and in bulk bins. The assorted flavors and sticky texture, designed by the German candy company Haribo, motivated other candy makers to make animal shapes in rubbery gelatin.

Origin

Gelatin, animal protein derived from collagen, dates back over 4,000 years to the Egyptian pharaohs. It gels to form the gum texture of gummy candy. In the 1950s, the Haribo company used gelatin to make its first Gummi Bears.

Art

Los Angeles artist YaYa Chou created a series of Gummi Bear artworks. Her four foot by two foot Gummi Bear chandelier drew international attention.

Jewelry

Gummi Bear-themed jewelry draws candy fans. The gummi-style bears, in colors not available as candy, appear on necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The bears are molded plastic.

Television

The candy Gummi Bears inspired the weekly televised series Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears. The 47 episodes from 1985 to 1988 center on six Gummi Bears with magical powers.

Flavors

Haribo colors the bears by flavor. Typically, clear bears taste like pineapple, red bears are raspberry flavor, yellow bears are lemon, orange bears are orange flavor and green bears are strawberry flavor.

Blue Bears

Haribo Goldbears offer no blue bears. Using fruit and plant extracts for color, the company makes yellow, green, red and other colors. A suitable bright blue fruit or plant extract color has not been found.

References

• Haribo Gummi Bear Facts