History of Peeps Marshmallows

Peeps have been a favorite treat during seasonal holidays since the early 1960s. With the sugary outside covering the fluffy marshmallow inside, Peeps are a delicious springtime candy.

Peeps are made by a candy company called Just Born. Peeps were first created by a company called Rodda Candy Company. The company was later bought by Bob Born (owner of Just Born) because he “loved the way the chick looked.”

The Just Born Candy Company headquarters is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It not only produces Peeps, but it produces Hot Tomales, Peanut Chews, Teenee and Beanies, and Mike & Ikes.

Peeps are made by first mixing a variety of different ingredients to make the famous fluffy marshmallow. The contents are then put into a secret machine that shapes the Peeps. Finally, the dyed sugar is coated over the marshmallow, and a machine dots the eyes to bring the Peep to life.

Peeps are known to be a big part of the Easter holiday. They are not just sold during Easter, though.  During the holidays of Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day, Peeps are sold.

During Halloween, Peeps are shaped into ghosts, cats, and jack-o-lanterns. During the holiday of Christmas, Peeps are made into snowmen, Christmas trees, reindeer, and gingerbread men. Lastly, during the holiday of Valentine’s Day, Just Born offers a variety of different flavored Peeps such as chocolate dipped cherries.

Peeps can be bought at any time during the year. If it isn’t a holiday season, but someone still wants some Peeps, they can be bought through the Just Born Website.

Just Born has kept its original formula since day one of making Peeps. It also used the same machines until just recently when it switched to more effective machines.

Back when Just Born started making Peeps, it would take 27 hours to make them. Now it only takes six minutes to make a batch. Each day Just Born produces about 5.5 million Peeps a day in all different colors and shapes.

The original Peeps actually had wings that came off the back of the bird. The wings were taken out in 1955 to help speed up the production.

Peeps have become so popular that Just Born started to begin to make other products involving Peeps. These products include lip balm, Peeps flavored milk, and egg nog.

In Bethlehem, they drop a giant peep on New Year’s Eve. The giant Peep has many different flashing lights that flash when dropping.

700 million Peeps are sold yearly in the United States and Canada.

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