Gummi Bears

Guide Note

Gummi Bears originated in Germany in 1922 from the Haribo company. Gummi literally means "rubber" in German, and are produced as a combination of sugar, glucose and gelatin. Vegan-friendly gummi products use pectin as a replacement for gelatin.

Though bears are the most prominent form of gummi, other popular gummi shapes include worms, colas, cherries, sharks, oranges, peaches, and hamburgers.

Fast Facts

1. Originally called "Dancing Bears"
2. Haribo "Gold Bears" were introduced in the 1960s
3. Most Popular Color: Red
4. Newer varieties have added Vitamin C
5. Vegan bears are less chewy than varieties with gelatin

Bonn, Germany native Hans Riegel invented the gummi bear in 1922, calling it the "dancing bear." The name "Haribo" evolved from a mixture of his name and the city he was from. Gummi bears were not made in America until the early 1980s when Jelly Belly began producing them. Bears were the only shape available until the gummi worm was introduced in the '80s.