Gumdrops are a type of confectionery (candy). They are usually brightly-colored gelatin- or pectin-based pieces, shaped like a truncated cone and coated in granulated sugar. This makes them very sweet.
Gumdrops come in (usually artificial) fruit and spice varieties; the latter are also known as spice drops. Gumdrops, spice drops, and their variations are used in baking, candy crafting, decorating, and for eating out of hand. They are often used for decorating cakes and cupcakes. Around Christmas time, this candy is an ingredient used in making gingerbread houses.
In the United States, three other "old fashioned" gumdrop candies are also popular: Orange Slices, Licorice Babies, and Spearmint Leaves. All are larger in size than spice drops or gumdrops, are fruit slice, kewpie-doll, or leaf shaped, sprinkled with sugar, and are typically sold by the bag.
The Apollo 9 Command module was called Gumdrop on account of the blue cellophane wrapping in which the craft was delivered.
Spice drops – commonly referred to as A.B (All Baking) Gums – are a variation and are distinctly different in the flavorings used. Instead of the typical fruit flavors found in regular gumdrops – for example: orange, lemon, lime, grape, cherry – spice drops have sharp spicy flavors such as cinnamon, mint and cardamom. They are also generally smaller than gumdrops.
The spice drop color/flavor code is generally as follows [but varies by manufacturer]: orange is clove, yellow is allspice, red is cinnamon, green is spearmint, purple is cardamom or anise, white is wintergreen or peppermint, and black is licorice.