Gumdrops are a unique candy, consisting of a gelatin texture close to Jello but not quite. Gumdrops are typically flavored with fruits and spices and are most often eaten during the winter months.
But what’s the history behind the gumdrop and when did it start? Gumdrop Day celebrates all things related to gumdrops, celebrating its mysterious history and hopes to encourage everyone to eat them and use them on this day.
Learn about Gumdrop Day
Gumdrop Day is a day that we can all look forward to; an opportunity to indulge in as many tasty gumdrops as we wish! If you have never had a gumdrop before, you’re seriously missing out! These candies are chewy, colorful, and best of all, tasty! They are made using gelatin, which is then coated in sugar. You can choose from a wide range of flavors as well. Most people tend to go for the fruity variety, but there are even spicy gumdrops too. While they taste great on their own, they are also ideal for decorating baked goods, gingerbread houses, and such like. With a sweet as exciting and versatile as this, it is only right that we have a day of celebration!
History of Gumdrop Day
Gumdrops were believed to be invented by Percy Trusdale in 1801, however, many still debate about the history of gumdrops and how they came to be.
Gumdrops, the brightly colored pectin shaped like domes, are also called spice drops for the variety of spices they contain, such as cinnamon and clove. The term “gumdrops” didn’t exist until the 1850s, when it appeared in the Illinois State Chronicle, as it reported on a candy shop, owned by George Julier.
The gelatin-based candy has since become a popular candy, as it has been used for decorating gingerbread houses, appeared in games such as Candy Land, and has been the nickname for the NASA Apollo Command modules because of their gumdrop shape.
Well, whoever invented them, gumdrops sure are delicious, as the most popular flavors for gumdrops are cherry, orange, lemon, grape, and licorice. Gumdrops are also a candy that’s typically seen during Christmas time due to its use of spices. Spices such as cinnamon, allspice, licorice, clove, and mint are typically used during this time.
For those who want a different candy experience that isn’t one filled with overwhelming sugar, then gumdrops offer a solution for those with a sweet tooth. On this day, people celebrate by eating gumdrops, using them for gingerbread house decorations, and playing the Candy Land game.
How to Celebrate Gumdrop Day
Gumdrop Day is all about exploring a new kind of candy and tasting its spicy, yet sweet, flavors and textures. Purchase a bag of gumdrops and give them a try! Celebrate Gumdrop Day by choosing your favorite flavor. Design an outfit based around a gumdrop to wear for the day. Host a gumdrop themed party and play Candy Land!
Share some gumdrops with your friends, family, and loved ones, and ask them what their favorite flavors are. Tell everyone about the unique facts you’ve learned about gumdrops, and enjoy everything there is to love about this sweet, gooey, and spice-filled treat.
Another way that you can celebrate Gumdrop Day is by attempting to make these tasty and colorful treats yourself! If you take a look online, there are many different recipes for you to choose from. Most recipes will call for the likes of food coloring, baking soda, powdered fruit pectin, fruit juice, corn syrup, sugar, and vegetable oil. This can be a fun way to celebrate on this day, as we are sure making gumdrops is not the sort of thing most people tend to do! Even if they don’t turn out how you expected, you will have a lot of fun. We definitely recommend keeping a couple of bags of gumdrops in the house, just in case your own creation doesn’t go to plan!
