The Sweet Story of Jolly Rancher: From Colorado Ice Cream to Global Candy!

Hello candy lovers! Have you ever tried a Jolly Rancher? Those colorful, super-fruity hard candies that last a long time in your mouth? Well, the story behind this famous sweet treat is quite interesting, and it all started in a small town in Colorado, USA.

A Cold Start in Golden, Colorado

Our story begins in 1949. A couple named Bill and Dorothy Harmsen had a dream: they wanted to open an ice cream shop in Golden, Colorado. They called their new business "Jolly Rancher," hoping to sound friendly and Western, like the local area.

But there was a big problem: Colorado winters are very cold! People didn't buy much ice cream when it was snowing. Bill and Dorothy were smart. They knew they needed a different product that people would enjoy all year round.

The Big Switch: Hello Candy!

So, they decided to make candy! Their first big success was a spicy cinnamon taffy stick called "Fire Stix." It was very popular! Soon, the Harmsens changed their business completely from ice cream to only candy. In fact, they even turned their own barn into a candy factory, which they called "Sugar Bar Ranch"! Imagine making candy where horses used to be!

The Secret to the Super Flavor

Jolly Rancher became famous for its amazing, long-lasting fruit flavors like watermelon, cherry, and blue raspberry. How did they do it? In the 1970s, they invented a special way to make their candies called "hot panning." This secret method makes sure the flavor goes deep inside the candy, not just on the outside. That’s why Jolly Ranchers taste so strong for so long!

A Journey of Owners and Locations

As Jolly Rancher grew, bigger companies noticed its success.

• In 1966, the Harmsens sold their company to a large corporation called Beatrice Foods.

• Later, in 1983, another company, Leaf, Inc., bought Jolly Rancher.

• Finally, in 1996, a very famous candy company, The Hershey Company (they make Hershey's chocolate!), bought Jolly Rancher. This was a big step for Hershey because they wanted to sell more non-chocolate candies.

Because of these changes, Jolly Rancher's factories also moved. For many years, the candies were made in Colorado, where the company started. But to save money, Hershey moved production to Mexico in 2002. Later, in 2014, all Jolly Rancher candies started to be made in a plant in Canada. So, even though it started in Golden, Colorado, Jolly Rancher is now made far away!

More Than Just Hard Candy!

Jolly Rancher didn't stop with just hard candies. Over the years, they added many new products: jelly beans, lollipops, chewy candies, and even a Jolly Rancher soda (though that's not made anymore!). They even made "Freeze Dried" candies recently, because that's a new popular trend!

Today, Jolly Rancher is not just a candy; it’s a part of American culture. For many people, it brings back happy childhood memories. So, next time you see some Jolly Rancher candy, remember its sweet and interesting history, starting from a cold winter in Golden, Colorado!

If you'd like an infographic of this story, just ask for it in your next lesson!