Latest news with #JustBorn
Chicago Tribune
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Inside the factory where Peeps are made
Love them or hate them, those marshmallow Peeps that come in blindingly bright colors and an array of flavors are inescapable around the Easter holiday. Millions are made daily in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by Just Born Quality Confections, a family-owned candy manufacturer that also churns out Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike fruit chews and Goldenberg's Peanut Chews. Peeps is Just Born's most recognizable brand and one of a handful of candies that evoke strong reactions — good and bad. Some say an Easter basket isn't complete without Peeps while others deride them as being indestructible. Some use them in recipes or even artwork. 'Even if you're not usually one to gravitate to eating the Peeps, there's always so many other fun ways to include them in your celebrations,' said Caitlin Servian, brand manager for Peeps. 1 of 16 Peeps marshmallow treats move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) How many Peeps are made each year? On average, about 5.5 million are made each day. That adds up to 2 billion a year — or roughly 6 Peeps for every man, woman and child across the U.S. How many different varieties and colors are there? First hatched in yellow, the sugary chicks and bunnies come in nine colors for this Easter season, including pink, blue and lavender. And there are even more flavors — 14 for Easter — from cookies and cream, to fruit punch and sour watermelon. The varieties and colors vary throughout the year with different holiday seasons. How long does it take to make a Peep? Before the early 1950s, making the candies by hand took 27 hours. Bob Born, who became known as the 'Father of Peeps,' came up with a way to speed up the process. He and a company engineer designed a machine to make them in less than six minutes. The same process is used today. How are they made? The main ingredients — sugar, corn syrup and gelatin — are cooked and combined to create marshmallows, which are then shaped and sent through a 'sugar shower.' A whopping 400 pounds of sugar is used per batch for Peeps' colored sugars. Freshly made Peeps — each chick weighs one-third of an ounce — then move along a conveyor so that they can cool before being packaged.
CBS News
15-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
To Peep or not Peep? The Easter holiday treat evokes strong reactions — good and bad.
Love them or hate them, those marshmallow Peeps that come in blindingly bright colors and an array of flavors are inescapable around the Easter holiday. Millions are made daily in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by Just Born Quality Confections, a family-owned candy manufacturer that also churns out Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike fruit chews and Goldenberg's Peanut Chews. Peeps is Just Born's most recognizable brand and one of a handful of candies that evoke strong reactions — good and bad. Some say an Easter basket isn't complete without Peeps while others deride them as being indestructible. Some use them in recipes or even artwork. "Even if you're not usually one to gravitate to eating the Peeps, there's always so many other fun ways to include them in your celebrations," said Caitlin Servian, brand manager for Peeps. On average, about 5.5 million are made each day. That adds up to 2 billion a year — or roughly 6 Peeps for every man, woman and child across the U.S. First hatched in yellow, the sugary chicks and bunnies come in nine colors for this Easter season, including pink, blue and lavender. And there are even more flavors — 14 for Easter — from cookies and cream, to fruit punch and sour watermelon. The varieties and colors vary throughout the year with different holiday seasons. Before the early 1950s, making the candies by hand took 27 hours. Bob Born, who became known as the "Father of Peeps," came up with a way to speed up the process. He and a company engineer designed a machine to make them in less than six minutes. The same process is used today. The main ingredients — sugar, corn syrup and gelatin — are cooked and combined to create marshmallows, which are then shaped and sent through a "sugar shower." A whopping 400 pounds (181 kilograms) of sugar is used per batch for Peeps' colored sugars. Freshly made Peeps — each chick weighs one-third of an ounce — then move along a conveyor so that they can cool before being packaged. ___ Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio.
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The great Easter basket question — to Peep or not Peep
Love them or hate them, those marshmallow Peeps that come in blindingly bright colors and an array of flavors are inescapable around the Easter holiday. Millions are made daily in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by Just Born Quality Confections, a family-owned candy manufacturer that also churns out Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike fruit chews and Goldenberg's Peanut Chews. Peeps is Just Born's most recognizable brand and one of a handful of candies that evoke strong reactions — good and bad. Some say an Easter basket isn't complete without Peeps while others deride them as being indestructible. Some use them in recipes or even artwork. 'Even if you're not usually one to gravitate to eating the Peeps, there's always so many other fun ways to include them in your celebrations,' said Caitlin Servian, brand manager for Peeps. How many Peeps are made each year? On average, about 5.5 million are made each day. That adds up to 2 billion a year — or roughly 6 Peeps for every man, woman and child across the U.S. How many different varieties and colors are there? First hatched in yellow, the sugary chicks and bunnies come in nine colors for this Easter season, including pink, blue and lavender. And there are even more flavors — 14 for Easter — from cookies and cream, to fruit punch and sour watermelon. The varieties and colors vary throughout the year with different holiday seasons. How long does it take to make a Peep? Before the early 1950s, making the candies by hand took 27 hours. Bob Born, who became known as the 'Father of Peeps,' came up with a way to speed up the process. He and a company engineer designed a machine to make them in less than six minutes. The same process is used today. How are they made? The main ingredients — sugar, corn syrup and gelatin — are cooked and combined to create marshmallows, which are then shaped and sent through a 'sugar shower.' A whopping 400 pounds (181 kilograms) of sugar is used per batch for Peeps' colored sugars. Freshly made Peeps — each chick weighs one-third of an ounce — then move along a conveyor so that they can cool before being packaged. ___
Forbes
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
2025 Easter Basket Must-Haves: PEEPS Candy Shoes, Purses and Jewelry
Hop into spring with Betsey Johnson's PEEP purses and wallets. What are America's favorite Easter candies? According to DoorDash, the most popular Easter candies are Reese's Eggs, Cadbury mini eggs and chocolate bunnies, to name a few. Yet no other sweet treat screams Easter like PEEPS candy does. Love them or loathe them, Peeps are the very adorable cockroaches of the candy world—brightly colored, impossibly squishy, and seemingly indestructible. But before these little sugar bombs became the unofficial mascot of Easter (and an inexplicable year-round treat) with loads of PEEPS fashion collaborations, they had a much humbler beginning. Back in 1910, a Russian immigrant named Sam Born founded Just Born, a candy company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Fast-forward to 1953, and Just Born acquires Rodda Candy Company, which was making marshmallow chicks by hand. The catch? Each Peep took 27 hours to make, due to the drying time! That's longer than it takes to roast a honey ham, drive across Texas, or binge-watch all three seasons of White Lotus. Enter Bob Born—Sam's son—who mechanized the process, slashing production time down to just six minutes per Peep. Efficiency had never been so... perfectly pastel. Peeps you can eat... and wear. (Photo by Eva HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo by EVA HAMBACH/AFP via Getty ... More Images) Originally, Peeps only came in yellow chick form. And the bunnies were rolled out in the 1980s. But because Americans can't resist playing with perfection (or making things more neon), they expanded into bunnies, pumpkins, Christmas trees, and even a questionable hot tamale-flavored version. Enough to circle the earth two and a half times, two billion Peeps are manufactured annually. This year the creative iterations continue. Just Born introduced Strawberry Marshmallow Chicks dipped in milk chocolate (yes, they're wearing dessert couture). Need more snack with your snack? Grab the Rice Krispies Treats Chicks, basically two childhood icons in one. Chocolate Pudding Bunnies are also hopping in—like pudding cups, but fluffier. And there's a few new store-exclusive PEEPS flavors for 2025. Walmart gets the goods with Breyers Cookies & Cream Chicks and individually wrapped Egg Hunt Chicks for strategic egg-stashing. Dollar Tree is selling Tropical Punch Bunnies, while Kroger wins the flavor crown with Cinnamon Churro PEEPS. Pour this over a bowl of Lucky Charms for marshmallow nirvana. There's even Peeps marshmallow flavored milk! Look for the PEEPS x Promised Land Dairy brand at select grocery stores. Sweet tooth: activated. And if you ever doubted their star power, just know there's annual Peeps diorama contests held at many locations across the country where people create intricate scenes—like Peeps reenacting Game of Thrones. So, whether you eat them, explode them in the microwave (highly recommended), or hoard them for scientific experiments to test their shelf life—rumor has it they never actually go bad, Peeps are here to stay. Need more proof of Peeps' power? Browse the Easter holiday aisles at your local Wal-Mart. It's an absolute peeptastic wonderland of Peeps-themed merch. In addition, PEEPS has hopped into some delightful collaborations, blending their iconic marshmallow charm with other beloved brands. Here's a peep at these fun partnerships: 'Brunchin' with PEEPS®' pop-up from March 26, 2025 through Easter Sunday at the Serendipity3 Upper ... More East Side location in New York. (Diane Bondareff/AP Content Services for PEEPS®) Experience a marshmallow-filled brunch at New York City's Serendipity3. From now through Easter Sunday, indulge in over-the-top PEEPS®-themed décor and fun menu creations such as PEEPS® Belgian Waffles, a Cotton Candy Frrrozen Hot Chocolate and a PEEPS® Dirt Sundae. New ALEX AND ANI x PEEPS® jewelry collection includes earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, perfect ... More for easter basket gifts. Accessorize your love for PEEPS with ALEX AND ANI's jewelry collection. Featuring playful designs inspired by the iconic bunny and chick marshmallow treats, these pieces add a fun pop of springtime flair to any wardrobe. Dash x Peeps Waffle Maker Bring a fun twist to Easter brunch with PEEPS-themed kitchen gadgets from DASH®. Create four-inch waffles shaped like PEEPS Chicks and Bunnies or cook eggs with special character omelet trays, making Easter mornings even sweeter. Fashion icon Betsey Johnson teams up with PEEPS for a limited-edition capsule collection. Featuring six unique designs adorned with rhinestones and dazzling details, these accessories—from purses to wallets— showcase the iconic PEEPS Bunny and Chick, adding a playful surprise to your Easter ensemble. My personal favorite is the wallet that looks like a hot pink box of bunny Peeps. The Easter Bunny now delivers treats to your four-legged family member, too. Pets can join in on the Easter fun with Milk-Bone PEEPS Marshmallow Flavored Dog Treats. These limited-edition treats come in festive spring colors and shapes, including the classic bone and the PEEPS Bunny and Chick. While feeding your dog marshmallows sounds like a terrible idea for their tummy; rest assured, these are only marshmallow flavored. Polly Pocket PEEPS toy Fans of playful collectibles will love this collaboration! Each micro compact opens to reveal a bunny-themed world, complete with cute accessories that capture the magic of Easter. This PEEPS Polly Pocket is a perfect candy-free option for Easter baskets. Need inspiration for older kids? Check out these Easter Basket gift ideas for teens. Peeps Bunny Sandals by Katy Perry. The pop star's line of shoes always double down on fun. But this may be her most playful shoes yet. Katy Perry's PEEPS Bunny Slide is a marshmallow-meets-fashion moment, featuring bunnies with sweet pastel flair—ideal for hopping into any sunny outing. (The brand site is currently sold out of the bunny slides, but there are plenty on Ebay.) Then there's the PEEPS Bunny Geli (in photo above), a sandal with playful '90s energy and topped with the classic pink, blue or yellow bunny and a scented footbed—yes, you read that right. Randy's Donuts in Los Angeles features Peeps donut for Easter. Also, around the country keep your eyes peeled for Peep-themed seasonal food and drinks, mostly at bars and bakeries—such as the PEEP donuts at Los Angeles-based Randy's donuts. And if you haven't tried a cocktail with PEEPS-infused vodka, what are you waiting for? Search the hashtag #peeptini for inspiration.
