Posted by Food and Drink Towers, Wednesday 1st of February 2012 10:18:00 AM.
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food&drink towers Taste Test Panel - independent reviews by UK foodies

Jelly Belly Beans – not exactly your 5 a day, more like your 50 a day…

By Jody Middleton

I would say that in every day life, if made to choose between a box of chocolates and a bag of sweets, I would always go for the chocolates. I’m not really a sweets kind of girl - that is until I discovered Jelly Belly Beans.

I was told I would receive a sample of Jelly Belly Beans to help me write my review but nothing had me prepared for the mega box of 50 flavours I duly received. I knew simply from rattling the giant envelope that they arrived in that these sweets would not last long in my house. The rattle may have been the reason why all the jelly beans had become dislodged, so I spent the next 20 minutes putting them back in their little individual compartments (which I secretly enjoyed as it allowed me to road test a few…).

There is something very special about Jelly Belly Beans that no other confectionery can compete with. The packaging is classic and exquisitely presented in whatever form you buy (a particular favourite of mine is the gold plated dispenser) and my mega box of 50 flavours is beautifully compartmentalised and referenced with all the flavours on the lid (helpful at the start but I’m now in pure devour mode.) However, the main plus that Jelly Belly Beans have over any other sweet is the taste. You can immediately tell which flavour(s) you have just savoured – even if you have gobbled a few in one go! I would say that every other sweet I’ve tasted just tastes sweet and vaguely of strawberry or something fizzy – Jelly Belly Beans actually give you ‘caramel apple’, ‘café latte’, ‘chocolate pudding’ and my personal favourite ‘sizzling cinnamon’. Every mouthful is absolutely delicious and VERY moreish.

If you’re looking for a good alternative to giving yet another box of chocs as a present and you thought sweets couldn’t fit the bill…your search is over. Jelly Belly Beans are a great and individual alternative.

If I had to give a negative point I suppose it would be price. Jelly Belly Beans are a bit more expensive than your average sweet…but they simply aren’t average, so they deserve to be slightly pricier.

As I sit here, slowly but surely getting through all 50 flavours, and putting them in order of preference (1: sizzling cinnamon 2: cream soda 3: dark chocolate), I have only one option and that is to give Jelly Belly Beans five out of five!

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More information can be found at http://www.jellybelly-uk.com.

Did you know?

It can take up to 21 days to make a single Jelly Belly jelly bean.

There are currently more than 90 different Jelly Belly flavours in circulation (but many more than that have been created over the years, since 1976).

They are free from fat, wheat, gluten, dairy, nuts and gelatine and great for vegetarians, and just four calories each.

There is a range of Jelly Belly Beanaturals, which are free from all artificial flavours and colours.

For press enquiries please contact Victoria Reeves, Jelly Belly-UK PR, Best House, 4-5 Alban Park, St Albans AL4 0J.J T: 01727 829010 M: 07860 436649 victoria@jellybelly-uk.com.                

Jelly Belly beans are available nationwide in Sainsbury, Waitrose, Tesco and many department stores and confectionery shops in the UK.  

For nearest stockist call freephone 0800 018 4416.

A range of Jelly Belly product can be purchased at www.jellybelly-uk.com.

About our food&drink towers taste tester:

Jody Middleton jody_martin@btinternet.com

I am a busy mum of two toddlers living in the glorious Kent countryside with my lovely husband. Pre-children we used to enjoy London's gastronomical delights but are now very keen on discovering all the local produce Kent has to offer! I like nothing better than an evening of fine food, drink and company.

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