How Ronald Reagan’s Candy Obsession Created a Global Phenomenon
Ronald Reagan was never shy about enjoying the small things in life. In 1966, when he ran for governor of California, he gave up pipe smoking and replaced the habit with jelly beans. At the time, they were called Goelitz Mini Jelly Beans, made by the Herman Goelitz Candy Company in Oakland. The company sent monthly shipments to his office and even designed a special jar to hold them. During his years as governor, Reagan and his staff consumed thousands of beans each month and made the candy a fixture in Sacramento politics.
When Jelly Belly launched in 1976, Reagan immediately became one of its most loyal customers. Unlike the earlier candies, these beans had flavor both inside and out. By 1978, his orders contained only Jelly Belly beans, with licorice topping his personal list of favorites. He once joked that meetings could not start without passing the jar around.
A Presidential Treat
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Reagan White House Photographs
By the time Reagan entered the White House, his jelly bean habit had grown to large proportions. The Herman Goelitz Candy Company supplied the administration with 720 one-pound bags every month, totaling more than 300,000 beans. Jars were not limited to the Oval Office. They appeared in federal buildings across Washington to ensure that Reagan always had easy access.
The candy also drew attention during public events. For his 1981 inauguration, 3.5 tons of Jelly Belly beans were shipped to Washington in patriotic red, white, and blue. To complete the set, the company created a brand-new blueberry flavor, which still ranks among Jelly Belly’s most popular. Reagan later authorized official jelly bean jars with the Presidential Seal, which were given to diplomats, ambassadors, and foreign leaders as gifts.
Sweet Moments in History
Reagan’s affection for the candy created some unusual historical moments. In 1983, he sent Jelly Belly beans aboard the Challenger space shuttle to make them the first jelly beans in orbit. Photographs from his presidency often show him reaching into a jar during cabinet meetings or sharing it with world leaders like Margaret Thatcher. He even quipped that a person’s character could be judged by how they ate their jelly beans, including whether they pick out favorite colors or grab a handful without hesitation.
The company behind the candy benefited enormously from this attention. Once word spread that the president of the United States favored their product, demand skyrocketed. At one point, the company was 77 weeks behind on orders. A small California confectioner suddenly found itself at the center of international attention, all because its beans had become linked to Reagan’s image.
A Lasting Legacy
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Reagan White House Photographs
Jelly beans remained the treat most associated with Reagan. By the end of his presidency, it was nearly impossible to separate the 40th president from his jars of Jelly Belly beans. The company still keeps Reagan memorabilia on display, including portraits of him and Nancy made entirely from the candies.