Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1981 featured a unique Jelly Belly flavor, blueberry, crafted to match the patriotic theme of the event.
Washington: Back in 1981, Ronald Reagan ordered a whopping three-and-a-half tons of Jelly Belly jelly beans for his inauguration. They even made a brand-new flavor just for the occasion!
So, when Reagan took office as the 40th President, his inauguration was a bit different. It included tons of red, white, and blue Jelly Belly jelly beans, which were a fun twist on the usual ceremony.
Among those colorful treats was a special flavor that quickly became a fan favorite. Can you guess what it was? Yep, it was blueberry! They created it to fit right in with the patriotic theme, pairing it with Very Cherry and Coconut flavors.
Reagan’s love for jelly beans actually started way back in 1966 when he was running for governor of California. He wanted to quit smoking, so he turned to jelly beans as a tasty alternative. This little habit became a big part of his political persona.
His connection to Jelly Belly began when he was governor. At a campaign event, he tried these jelly beans that were different from the usual ones. They were flavored inside and out, and he was hooked!
Once people found out Reagan loved Jelly Belly, the demand shot up. During his presidency, he kept a standing order of 720 bags of jelly beans, sharing them at cabinet meetings and even sending them into space in 1983.
Fast forward to today, and that blueberry Jelly Belly is still one of the most popular flavors around. It’s amazing how a little candy can have such a big impact!
