The Darker Side of Jelly Beans

By: Mo Rocca
Topics: Mo Moments, Mo Problems

(CBS)

Investigating the Future of Candy was a trip for us. We got to visit the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, California, named the "Best Factory Tour in America" by Readers Digest in 2005.

Jelly Belly President Bob Simpson showed us the portraits of Ronald and Nancy Reagan made out of jelly beans. He showed us how to mix and match beans to create even more flavors than they already have — e.g., one coconut and one lemon equal lemon meringue. And he talked about flavors that never made it, like spaghetti sauce jelly beans.

On a darker note, he brought us to the area of the floor reserved for "Belly Flops," the sad, deformed jelly beans that will never make it to consumers. I felt terrible staring at the mutant beans, some bloated or scarred, others discolored or sickly pale. I tugged at Bob's sleeve. Maybe the "Belly Flops" could be rehabbed, I chirped. You know, melted and reshaped into beans people would welcome into their mouths!

Bob bowed his head and said nothing. He didn't need to.

At Harvard things got especially future-y … and personal. It was here that Professor David Edwards showed us his invention of inhalable chocolate, called Le Whif.

As someone who has never smoked pot (and my mother is Colombian!) I couldn't wait to take a hit of Le Whif. It just felt so illicit … for a person who's never been baked. I found it pretty darn satisfying. (In the video you'll hear former NY Times Dining Critic Frank Bruni's take on Le Whif after we toke up.)

If you any thoughts or speculations on the Future of Candy, let us know. Enjoy.

Watch this week's "Tomorrow Show."

For more info:

The Association of Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries of the European Union (Caobisco)
Dylan's Candy Bar
International Confectionary Association
Jelly Belly
Le Whiff
Mother Murphy's Laboratories
National Confectioners Association

12 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 12 Comments


by mks215 March 4, 2013 2:44 AM EST: those imperfect jelly beans DO see the light of day; they're called Belly Flops and they taste just as good:
http://www.amazon.com/Belly-Flops%C2%AE-1-Lb-Bag/dp/B000REI2X6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362382887&sr=8-2&keywords=jelly+flops; Reply to this comment


by Dgunner March 10, 2010 8:37 AM EST: This article gave very little information had a misleading title and certainly bears the stigma of cbs news standards.; Reply to this comment


by Larry-D-Lobster September 29, 2009 2:48 PM EDT: Hey Mo,

Wanna know how Valerie Bertinelli lost 126lbs?

Pat Harrington Jr. rolled off her.; Reply to this comment


by Larry-D-Lobster September 25, 2009 9:24 AM EDT: Hey,
Did anyone see that commercial with the woman who is talking to herself and ranting about Washington taxing sugary drinks?
"Okay kids, it's lunch time; who wants a bowl of Coca-Cola?"
If she wants to save money, she should close her hatch--
a car battery goes for over a hundred bucks!; Reply to this comment


by Larry-D-Lobster September 23, 2009 4:00 PM EDT: Aw Mo,
Shame on you for trying to "melt and reshape" those beans. That's called spin, or far worse, politically correctandyness.
Far better those beans unite to form a "broken bean" mountain and eschew traditional wisdom; they are Jolly Ranchers waiting to happen!; Reply to this comment


by Larry-D-Lobster September 23, 2009 1:44 PM EDT: Or...
How 'bout M&M Mars Khadaffy-Taffy?
Or is that a stretch?; Reply to this comment


by Larry-D-Lobster September 23, 2009 1:04 PM EDT: I believe the future of candy is the Obamapop.
President Obama is always talking about the carrot and the stick.
Why not combine them: a carrot on a stick?
Then, dip it in your favorite flavor: chocolate, cherry, plankton?
Think: You wouldn't have to brush your teeth afterwards, and you would improve your eyesight--sounds like a win-win on healthcare to me.
BTW: nice eye candy on that lobster snap-shot!; Reply to this comment


by barloh September 20, 2009 9:47 AM EDT: Don't worry, Mo. Belly flops do not go unappreciated. We buy them at the Dollar Store...and like quirky friends being more interesting...quirky and less predictable and uniform jelly beans are more fun!

Hey Jelly Belly...thanks for the flops. Please send more. The store didn't have 'em last time we visited.; Reply to this comment


by erasmus111 September 13, 2009 7:55 PM EDT: by legacyabq September 13, 2009 3:57 PM EDT
Maybe you should get off your computer for awhile then, eh?

:-)

Yeah, I guess this story is right up your alley, huh? : ); Reply to this comment

by legacyabq September 13, 2009 3:58 PM EDT

I can't imagine an adult who's never at least tried pot. How strange.

Too bad about the century of lies, slander and misinformation.

Gotta love America.

Reply to this comment


by myrtlewood November 30, 2009 1:22 AM EST: I have friends that are paranoid to partake, what I would give to have a joint or two maybe three, but the economy has killed my $$$$$$$$ to partake in this pleasure just the smell would get me high..Fishmonger@cox.net