Attention candy fans! If you ever needed a reason to scoop up some extra jelly beans, this is your weekend. Easter and National Jelly Bean Day fall back to back (April 21st and 22nd), creating the perfect storm for sweet eaters.
This year, an estimated 16 billion beans will be eaten just for the Easter season (That many jelly beans could make it 1/3 of the way to the moon!). But while most people agree jelly beans are delicious, that’s where our similarities end. It seems that state-by-state we differ in what jelly bean flavors we find most delicious.
Source: CandyStore.com.
Some states savor the fruity flavors. Florida, Washington, and New Hampshire prefer pear, while Nebraska, New Mexico, Iowa, and Utah choose cherry. Watermelon is a favorite in Oregon and Alabama, but blueberry is best according to Pennsylvanians, West Virginians, and Indianians.
Buttered Popcorn gets the love of both California and Texas, along with Georgia, Connecticut, Michigan, Arkansas, and Missouri. Cinnamon also has a strong showing with the Dakotas, Arizona, and a string of states on both sides of the Mississippi.
So nationwide, which flavor is our favorite?
America’s top 10 favorite jelly beans
Tastes vary by state and by region, but a few favorites reign supreme no matter where you go. These were the top 10 jelly bean flavors in America for 2019:
1. Buttered Popcorn
It’s salty, butter, and it took the top spot away from 2018’s winner, Black Licorice.
2. Cinnamon
Up from the #3 spot last year, the spicy red jelly bean remains a classic we all love.
3. Black Licorice
Black licorice still holds a spot in the top 3, but it fell two spots since last year. Sure, the strong flavor is polarizing, but enough people still love them to push them near the top every year.
4. Cherry
Cherry, one of the original jelly bean flavors, was America’s favorite flavor for more than 20 years. Now with more flavors in competition, it has fallen slightly, but still has quite the following.
5. Watermelon
Juicy and flavorful, watermelon jelly beans are a little taste of summer.
6. Juicy Pear
Juicy Pear is a relatively new flavor, but it has reached a high level of popularity in its short lifespan.
7. Toasted Marshmallow
This toasty flavor is fun to eat alone or paired with other flavors to create a creamy combo.
8. Orange
Orange is another classic flavor that holds on strong year after year.
9. Strawberry
Strawberry fans can rejoice. This little red number just two spots, up from #11 last year.
10. Green Apple
Green Apple fell two spots since last year, but the delicious tart taste can still lay claim to a spot in the Top Ten.
Don’t see your favorite in the Top Ten? Here is an extended list:
Source: CandyStore.com
Also see, 10 Surprising facts about jelly beans.
