In 1869, just two years after arriving in America from Germany, Gustav Goelitz bought an ice cream and candy store in Belleville, Illinois, and his brother, Albert went out in a horse-drawn wagon to sell their sweets to nearby communities.

Their efforts were met with success, and soon the next generation was craving the next big thing: "buttercream" candies. The original buttercream recipe that was developed in 1900 carried the business through the Great Depression and two world wars, and it continues to be made by the fourth generation of Goelitz candy makers today. 1976 marked the beginning of the "true-to-life" flavors, and the first eight Jelly Belly flavors were born: Very Cherry, Lemon, Cream Soda, Tangerine, Green Apple, Root Beer, Grape and Licorice.

Today, hundreds of delicious Jelly Belly flavors are enjoyed everywhere from school yards and triathlon courses to the President's oval office, because people everywhere know that they can always count on the delicious flavor of every jelly belly flavor to satisfy their sweet tooth anytime, anywhere.