Circus peanut

Circus peanuts are American peanut-shaped marshmallow candy.[1] They date to the 19th century, when they were one of a large variety of unwrapped "penny candy" sold in such retail outlets as five-and-dime stores.[2]

This article is about the candy. For the legumes sold at circuses, see peanut.
Circus peanut
TypeConfectionery
Main ingredientsSugar, corn syrup, gelatin, pectin, soy protein, food coloring, artificial flavor
Food energy
(per 15 pieces serving)
150 kcal (628 kJ)

As of the 2010s, the most familiar variety of mass-produced circus peanuts is orange-colored and flavored with an artificial banana flavor. These are typically made from sugar, corn syrup, gelatin,[3] pectin, soy protein, food coloring and artificial flavor. Confectioners originally distributed an orange-flavored variety that was only available seasonally due to a lack of packaging capable of preserving the candy. In the spring, five-and-dimes sold circus peanuts as penny candy. In the 1940s, circus peanuts became one of the many candies to become available year-round owing to the industrial proliferation of cellophane packaging.

Over the years, confectioners have also offered circus peanuts colored yellow, pink, and white, including a variety of flavors, though orange is still the most predominant color and banana the most common flavor. The leading producers of circus peanuts are Melster Candies, Spangler Candy Company and Brach's,[1] although the products are essentially identical. The Publix supermarket chain at one time sold generic circus peanuts under its own label, manufactured by Farley and Sathers.

Circus peanuts led to the creation of Lucky Charms in 1964 when a General Mills employee chopped pieces into a bowl of Cheerios.[4]

References
  1. Seewer, John (June 27, 2006). "In candy world, circus peanut is a riddle wrapped in marshmallow inside orange shell". USA Today. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2008.
  2. "Circus Peanuts". Spangler Candy. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  3. "FAQs". Spangler Candy. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
  4. "The history of Lucky Charms - General Mills".


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