Blue Jelly Beans Were Invented for Ronald Reagan’s Inauguration

You might think a blue jelly bean has always been as natural as a blue sky, but this tiny candy has a surprisingly presidential origin story. When Ronald Reagan prepared for his 1981 inauguration, he needed a patriotic touch that would complement the red and white jelly beans he'd grown to love. What followed wasn't just a new candy flavor—it was a remarkable fusion of American politics and confectionery innovation that would transform both the White House and your candy dish forever.

Reagan's Journey From Cigarettes to Jelly Beans

Before becoming known for his love of jelly beans, Ronald Reagan had a notable career modeling for tobacco companies in the 1930s and beyond. His cigarette endorsements included Kentucky Winner, Kentucky Club pipe tobacco, and most prominently, Chesterfield cigarettes, which he promoted in Life Magazine ads through 1952. The tobacco industry regularly used celebrity endorsements to promote their products during this era.

This shift in Reagan's stance on tobacco use aligned with the broader cultural changes, as he would later oversee smoke-free policies in government settings. A significant health change occurred when Reagan quit smoking after a family member developed cancer from the habit. To combat his cigarette addiction, he turned to jelly beans during his 1966 California gubernatorial campaign.

He discovered Herman Goelitz Candy Company's mini-jelly beans, which featured uniquely infused flavors. The company began sending monthly shipments to the Governor's Office throughout his terms in Sacramento, and these deliveries continued even after he left office.

This simple candy substitute would eventually become his signature snack.

The Birth of the Blueberry Bean for America

While Jelly Belly had mastered red and white flavors by 1981, the company faced an unexpected challenge when Ronald Reagan requested patriotic-colored jelly beans for his presidential inauguration.

To complete the red, white, and blue trio, Jelly Belly created their now-famous blueberry flavor specifically for this historic event.

You might be surprised to learn that this new blue addition was part of a massive 3.5-ton shipment sent to the White House for the inauguration. During his presidency, these candies became a staple in both the Oval Office and Air Force One.

The creation proved so successful that the company received special permission to use the presidential seal on gift jars for foreign dignitaries. Reagan's love for the candy led him to gift jelly beans to visiting international diplomats.

What started as a response to Reagan's request for patriotic colors became a permanent fixture in Jelly Belly's lineup, with the blueberry bean remaining one of their most popular flavors to this day.

How One President's Sweet Tooth Changed Jelly Belly Forever

Ronald Reagan's love affair with Jelly Belly beans didn't just result in a new blueberry flavor – it transformed a modest candy company into an American cultural phenomenon.

The presidential influence catapulted Jelly Belly into unprecedented success, with profits doubling after Reagan's election. During his inauguration in 1981, the company shipped three and a half tons of red, white, and blue jelly beans to Washington D.C.

The Jelly Bean marketing impact was staggering:

• Orders backed up 77 weeks due to overwhelming demand
• A new Chicago factory opened to meet production needs
• Custom presidential seal jars were created for the White House

You might wonder how one man's sweet tooth could reshape a company's destiny. The President started his jelly bean habit when he needed to quit pipe smoking in 1966.

When Reagan's preference for Jelly Belly became public knowledge, particularly his fondness for licorice flavor, the company's trajectory changed forever.

From quitting smoking to distributing beans across federal buildings, Reagan's connection helped establish Jelly Belly as America's premier jelly bean maker.

A Patriotic Display: 3.5 Tons of Red, White, and Blue

A staggering 3.5 tons of patriotic jelly beans transformed the 1981 Presidential Inauguration into a sweet celebration of American pride.

You would've seen an impressive display of red, white, and blue candies that perfectly matched the colors of the American flag.

But creating these patriotic flavors wasn't as simple as you might think – the Herman Goelitz Candy Company had to develop an entirely new blueberry flavor just to complete the tri-colored arrangement.

The carefully selected flavors included cherry for red, coconut for white, and the newly created blueberry for blue.

This moment marked a significant milestone in candy history, as the massive order not only celebrated Reagan's presidency but also cemented Jelly Belly's legacy.

The display was so successful that the White House continued ordering 720 bags monthly throughout Reagan's presidency.

The President's favorite was always the black licorice flavor, which stood out among the 36 varieties available at the time.

These patriotic treats carried on a long tradition, as jelly beans were sent to boost the morale of Civil War soldiers in 1861.

Inside the White House's Jelly Bean Revolution

Because of his determination to quit smoking in the late 1960s, Reagan's journey with jelly beans transformed the White House's candy culture forever. His monthly standing order of 720 bags established a sweet new chapter in jelly bean history, making these colorful treats a symbol of his presidency.

Manufacturer Jelly Belly experienced such overwhelming success that production delays reached 77 weeks during Reagan's time in office.

You'll find these fascinating details about Reagan's candy diplomacy:

• He served jelly beans at cabinet meetings and used them as gifts for visiting dignitaries.
• His favorite flavor was black licorice, though he enjoyed all varieties.
• The White House's demand was so high that Jelly Belly opened a new factory in Chicago.

During his inauguration in 1981, 3.5 tons of Jelly Bellies were shipped to the White House for the celebration.

This candy revolution went beyond simple snacking – it became part of Reagan's leadership style and personal brand, forever changing how Americans viewed this simple confection.