The reason jelly babies are shaped like babies is actually a bit of an accident. According to the story, the original intention was not to create baby-shaped sweets at all.
The Origin of Jelly Babies
The true origin of the jelly baby is unknown, but a popular story suggests an interesting origin:
In 1864, an Austrian confectioner working for Fryers of Lancashire (in their factory in Nelson) was tasked with creating a mold for jelly bears. However, the resulting sweets looked more like babies than bears.
| Intended Shape | Resulting Shape | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jelly Bears | Jelly Babies | 1864 | Nelson, Lancashire (Fryers of Lancashire) |
The Unintended Design
- The confectioner's mold, intended for bear shapes, inadvertently created something else.
- The resulting treats had the general shape of a small human, hence they became known as “jelly babies”
Why the Shape Stuck
- The unique shape was memorable.
- It was a novelty that caught the public's imagination.
While the details of the story might have some ambiguity, it clearly highlights how an accidental creation became a beloved treat.
