Gummy Bears were invented in 1920's Germany. The name gummy refers to the gum arabic they were first made from, and the bear shape was inspired by trained dancing bears that were popular at European street festivals.
Modern gummys are made from a mixture of sugar, glucose syrup, starch, flavoring, food coloring, citric acid and gelatin. However, recipes vary for organic candy, vegetarian versions and for those following religious dietary laws.
In the 1940's, the first company to produce and sell gummy fruit slices in America, was the Boston Fruit Slice Company in Boston Massachusetts. The success of gummy bears has spawned the production of many other gummy candies made to resemble animals and other objects, such as rings, worms, frogs, snakes, hamburgers, cherries, sharks, penguins, hippos, lobsters, octopuses, apples, peaches, oranges, smurfs and spiders.
Gummy bears can be used to deliver vitamins and minerals to children who are hesitant to take pills. Herbal gummies may be used to deliver plant based extracts like CBD, or and THC.
The North American gummy market accounts for 38% of global gummy revenues. Projected market size for 2030 is $52 Billion USD.
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