The History of Easter PEEPS - A Sought After Seasonal Treat

Jan 28th 2023

The history of Easter PEEPS candy can be traced back to the early 1900s. The Just Born candy company, founded by Russian immigrant Samuel Born in 1910, began producing the marshmallow treats in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the year 1953. The original PEEPS were handmade and took nearly 27 hours to create. The process was labor-intensive, and the treats were not widely available for purchase outside of the local area.
In the 1960s, Just Born introduced new technology that significantly reduced the time it took to make PEEPS. This allowed the company to mass-produce the candy, making them more widely available and increasing their popularity. The bright yellow PEEPS chicks, which were originally only available at Easter, became a year-round treat.
[caption id="attachment_4771" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Yellow is the most popular selling color of Marshmallow PEEPS Yellow is the most popular selling color of Marshmallow PEEPS[/caption]
PEEPS quickly became one of the top-selling types of non-chocolate Easter candy in the United States. The company expanded its PEEPS product line to include different shapes, colors, and flavors. Today, PEEPS are available in the traditional chick shape as well as bunnies, and for Halloween - pumpkins, and ghosts. They also come in a variety of colors, including pink, blue, and purple, and flavors such as chocolate pudding and cotton candy.
Peeps Marshmallow Candy | BlairCandy.com
In addition to being a popular candy, PEEPS have also become a cultural phenomenon. They have been featured in popular TV shows, movies, and music videos. PEEPS have also been the subject of numerous online memes and have even been used in scientific experiments.
In recent years, Just Born has expanded the PEEPS brand beyond just candy. The company now produces PEEPS-branded clothing, accessories, and home decor items. PEEPS-themed events, such as the PEEPS Fest in Bethlehem, have also become popular.
Overall, Easter PEEPS have come a long way since their humble beginnings. From a labor-intensive, small-scale treat, PEEPS have become a beloved and popular candy enjoyed by people of all ages. The brand has also expanded beyond just candy to become a cultural icon.