Over the Garden Fence: An appreciation of Peeps
For weeks the world of jelly beans has brought me some moments of sugary joy. Maybe it is the colorful bag tempting me though those licorice ones get sorted out.
Let me be clear this column is about sweet signals of spring, not at all Easter.
Back in January the death of a special candy manufacturer named Ira Robert "Bob" Born was shared. Though his name had never been in the file folder of my brain, his candy was definitely there. Peeps have long been in favor with my palate. The marshmallow softness has a soft-sugary coating in a huge variety of colors and flavors.
To go back to Ira Born, it was very interesting to learn that Bob was part of a candy-making company called Just Born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His father started the candy factory in the 1920s, coming here from Russia. Young Bob came there to fill time before heading for medical school and stayed. His engineering background from Lehigh University made a breakthrough when Dad bought a small candy company that made goodies by hand. Bob mechanized steps so that a package of marshmallow treats that took 27 hours by hand took 6 minutes. He became known as the "Father of Peeps." I never knew Peeps had a father.
In the 1950s those Peeps hit the market, millions of them in time for Easter. Now they show up at Christmas in the form of chocolate mousse reindeer and snowmen. Valentine's Day brings hearts. Pumpkin spice latte Peeps were on the market in October and they were wonderful.
Over the years Peeps have drawn my attention. It became a challenge to discover the taste of new colors, but especially new flavors. My family has even presented some unusual flavors to me. This past Christmas some gingerbread men were tucked in my stocking. Three of them are 140 calories.
Three of my friends let Peeps set around until they are crusty. One other person loves to nuke them in a microwave. People are now making them into Rice Krispies treats. Good heavens!
Okay, so an online search for Peep flavors lists cotton candy, fruit punch, tie dye, tropical burst, blue raspberry, sugar plum, blueberry delight, bubble gum, sour watermelon, sweet lemonade, caramel apple, orange sherbet, strawberry and so many more enhanced versions.
The following Peeps call to me: lemon delight, root beer float, pancakes and syrup, coconut Peeps dipped in dark chocolate and milk chocolate-dipped strawberry delights.
The dedication of Bob Born kept him active until 98 as he pushed on and on. His son Ross stepped in as CEO, retiring in 2021. The two of them marketed some amazing Peeps.
Online there were pictures of a bright yellow Volkswagen with a yellow Peep on top. Imagine. There was also a bag of jelly beans with the label "Just Born" on it.
As our family cuts back on candy consumption, I doubt that Peeps will show up in my Easter basket. That won't keep me from peeking around for Peeps. I may even order a bag of those jelly beans from Bob's company.
Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited master gardener, a flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth grade teacher.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: All about Peeps: A sweet signal of spring
