In navigating the landscape of parenting, my approach often oscillates between striving for an idealized standard and embracing the reality of simplicity. My guiding principle is essentially “good enough.” Seasonal celebrations in our household are not characterized by intricate Pinterest projects or homemade goodies; rather, they are filled with conveniently purchased snacks and whatever candies are trending at the time.
During Halloween, we lean towards fun-sized chocolate bars such as Kit-Kats and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Christmas brings an influx of candy canes and an assortment of cookies. Valentine’s Day is all about chocolate, while Easter is synonymous with an abundance of jelly beans.
As an enthusiastic candy lover, I maintain a non-discriminatory stance towards sweets (I have no qualms about indulging in Peeps, and I’ve yet to meet a chocolate I wouldn’t enjoy). However, the spectrum of jelly bean flavors includes some selections that are downright perplexing. Recently, CandyStore.com unveiled data revealing the most favored jelly bean flavors, and I must admit, some of the findings left me incredulous. If any of these appeared in my Easter basket, I might just reconsider the Easter Bunny’s visit.
It didn’t come as a shock to discover that Illinois, my current residence, has chocolate as its top flavor—though I was somewhat let down by this conventional choice. After all, it’s rather pedestrian. However, given Illinois’s central location in the heartland, it makes some sense. Similarly, my home state of Wisconsin, along with Oregon, Alabama, Alaska, and Florida, favored watermelon—a flavor that is solid, albeit somewhat uninspired.
My personal favorite, however, aligns with this year’s top contender: buttered popcorn. While it might sound off-putting at first, the combination of buttery richness, the savory taste of popcorn, and the sweetness of jelly beans creates a delightful treat. Not everyone shares this enthusiasm; according to CandyStore, this flavor elicits strong opinions, with many either loving it or expressing disdain in survey comments.
Surprisingly, the runner-up this year is black licorice—a flavor that raises eyebrows and calls into question the validity of its popularity. Once the reigning champion, black licorice’s place in the rankings is certainly contentious.
Other notable flavors include cinnamon, cherry, pear, green apple, toasted marshmallow, and coconut—all of which I would gladly sample in generous handfuls.
Ultimately, the true joy of any holiday lies in the candy selection. Even when faced with the existence of a black licorice jelly bean, there’s still sweetness to be found.
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Summary:
This article explores popular jelly bean flavors from a parental viewpoint, highlighting favorites like buttered popcorn and black licorice. It reflects on the simplicity of holiday traditions and the joys of candy, with links to further resources on home insemination.
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