Jujyfruits

Jujyfruits are a chewy, gumdrop-like starch-based candy, known as a wine gum, manufactured in the United States by Heide Candy Company, a subsidiary of Farley's & Sathers Candy Company.

History

Jujyfruits began production in 1920.^[1] They were popular in movie houses along with Heide's other gummy candy, Jujubes.^[2]

Description

An assortment of Jujyfruits.

The Jujyfruits shapes are Pineapple, Tomato, Raspberry, Grape Bundle, Asparagus Bundle, Banana, and Pea Pod.^[2] The banana shape is stamped with "HEIDE." Fruity flavors correspond to the colors (not the shapes) and include raspberry (red), anise/licorice (black), lime (green), orange (orange), and lemon (yellow).^[2] The candies are firm and harden with age or when chilled. A sour variety is also available.

Prior to 1999, the green sweets were mint flavoured. In January 1999, Hershey (the parent company at the time) changed the Jujyfruits flavor lineup in response to a customer survey that found mint was not a popular flavor. Mint was dropped and replaced with lime.

Ingredients

One of the basic ingredients of both Jujubes and Jujyfruits is 'Ju-ju gum'.^[1] This is supported by the fact that the original Jujubes box lists 'natural gum' as its first ingredient. As of 2009, the ingredients listed on Jujyfruits boxes are:

• Corn syrup
• Sugar
• Modified and unmodified cornstarch
• Natural and artificial flavors
• White mineral oil
• Carnauba wax
• Caramel color
• Artificial colors (Yellow 6, Blue 1, Yellow 5 and Red 40)

Brand extension

Jujyfruits package design circa 1977 with the belt buckle promotion.

In the 1970s, Jujyfruits held a promotion where if a token from a Jujyfruits carton and five dollars was sent to the Heide Candy Company, a brass buckle and leather belt would be sent in return.^[3]

References