5 Things to Know About Peeps – A History Lesson for the Kids!
Easter, this is the time for dyed eggs, chocolates and Peeps, lots and lots of Peeps. Peeps have, for generations, been synonymous with Easter, from chicks, to bunnies to a mix of chicks and bunnies, for some it ain’t Easter with out some sugary marshmallow treats. But do you and your kids really know much about the Peep? Here are five things to know:
What are they made of?
The Peep is a combination of marshmallow, corn syrup, gelatin, and carnauba wax…yes carnauba wax.
Who makes Peeps?
They are made by a company called Just Born. The company was founded in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania by a man named Sam Born who was a Russian immigrant, in the 1920s. They acquired the company that made the marshmallow chicks back in 1953. The Just Born brand also makes Mike and Ikes, Hot Tamales, Peanut Chews and Teenee Beanee Jelly Beans.
Once hand made?
Peeps were originally hand formed, but after Born sold the company, they were mass produced by machine.
More than just a chick
Peeps were originally just little yellow chicks, but then they started to do a whole slew of color and shapes starting with the Halloween pumpkin back in 1958 and snowmen and trees in 1960, footballs in 1975, Teddy Bears in 1977, Bunnies in 1980. They make about 2 billion marshmallow treats a year!
Peep this & that
There is now a Peeps & Company store in National Harbor, Maryland. The brand is celebrated with toys, t-shirts, trinkets, and all sorts of bric-a-brac.
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