*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.
Small and colorful, and bursting with flavor, jelly beans are really a candy that just about everyone enjoys!
Nowadays you can find jelly beans in just about every flavor, or any mix of flavors, and you can also find different jelly beans to suit various diets.
As many jelly bean options as there are out there, some definitely do stand out as the best.
Which are the best jelly bean brands? The best jelly bean brands produce jelly beans that are bursting with flavor and which have the ideal balance between sweet and tart. It is also worth looking for jelly beans which are made with natural colorants and fruit juices.
To help you pick out the best jelly bean brands to try next, we have gone through all the different options. We’ve chosen the ones worth trying and will explain how to go about choosing the very BEST jelly beans!
How To Choose The Best Jelly Bean Brands
Almost all jelly beans look enticing. It can be easy to pick up the first pack you come across. But there are some things that go into choosing the best pack of jelly beans, and the best option for your taste buds and diet!
Here are the factors to consider, and the things to look for, when picking out jelly beans:
Flavors
We all have our favorite flavor of jelly beans, and you will obviously want to choose a pack of jelly beans that features the flavors you love!
There is such a wide range of flavors to choose from that you really can’t go wrong when finding your favorite. Except maybe for some of the strange flavors such as rotten egg and dish soap!
When choosing a pack of jelly beans, take a look at the flavors included. Almost every single pack will list the flavors of the jelly beans included, as well as the corresponding color.
You can then either pick out all of your favorites or try some new ones too!
There are also flavored packs specific to certain flavors, such as dessert flavors or berry flavors. So you can really choose whatever suits you best.
Texture
The texture of a jelly bean makes it that much more enjoyable!
Now different people have different preferences on how they like their jelly bean texture, but generally, the jelly bean should have a slightly harder sugary exterior, and a soft, chewy interior.
The jelly bean should not be too soft and mushy, nor should it be so hard that it hurts to chew it!
Ingredients
While jelly beans and candy should not be a part of your daily diet, as they are packed with sugar, some options are healthier than others.
Jelly beans remain popular, so there is a need for them to be suitable for a wider variety of diets. This means that some jelly bean options are now low in sugar, gluten-free, vegetarian, and even vegan.
You’ll also want to check the ingredients list before purchasing jelly beans to check that there are no nasties like artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup are included.
There are also many jelly bean options that are now free from artificial colorants and flavorings. They get their color and flavor from real fruit juice or other natural sources.
These are naturally a much better option for you. Plus, these naturally flavored jelly beans taste great!
Taste
We’re gonna go ahead and assume you’re eating jelly beans for the sweet, and even tart flavor that they have to offer!
There are many jelly bean options, and many flavors to explore. But the taste really is better when you choose jelly beans made from natural flavorings and ingredients, as these will give you authentic flavors.
An orange jelly bean made from natural orange juice will taste much better than whatever artificial orange is!
Each jelly bean should also have a good balance between sweet and just so slightly tart; you don’t want too much of either. Although you might prefer sour jelly beans – and there are quite a few sour options to choose from, too.
Bag Size
It sounds obvious, but you should consider how many jelly beans you need before purchasing a bag. If you just need a jelly bean snack, then a small bag would be perfect.
However, if you want to keep a good stash of jelly beans in your pantry or need jelly beans for a party, then the bigger the bag the better!
The 13 Best Jelly Bean Brands
Below are our top picks of the best jelly bean brands to try!
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Jelly Belly 50 Flavors | Resealable, gluten-free, made with real fruit puree/juice |
| 2. | Starburst Jelly Beans Original Fruit Flavors | Original flavors, 3 lb jar |
| 3. | Welch's Assorted Fruit Flavored Jelly Beans | Strong fruit flavors, smaller jelly beans |
| 4. | Skittles Jellybeans | Classic flavors, snack-sized bags, flavorful |
| 5. | Brach's classic Jelly Beans | Big size, fruity flavor, chewy |
| 6. | Jelly Belly Beanboozled Mystery Jelly Beans | Two-flavor-sided mystery jelly beans |
| 7. | Jelly Belly Extreme Sport Beans | Boosts energy for workouts, contains carbs, electrolytes & vitamins |
| 8. | Nerds Big Chewy Jelly Beans | Big chewy jelly beans coated in Nerds shell |
| 9. | Trolli Sour Brite Jelly Beans | Sour beans, each bean has a blend of flavors |
| 10. | SweetGourmet Jumbo Black Licorice Jelly Beans | Only licorice flavor, jumbo beans |
| 11. | Favorite Day Jelly Beans | Classic flavors, chewy beans, resealable bag |
| 12. | Just Born Jelly Beans | Assorted fruity flavors, large 5-pound pack |
| 13. | Private Selection Gourmet Jelly Beans | 41 flavors, jelly bean mix recipes on back |
But since we’re sure you take your jelly beans as seriously as we do, we’ll review each of these jelly-licious brands in more detail so you can find your new favorite.
1. Jelly Belly 50 Flavors
This 3-pound bag of Jelly Belly jelly beans has 50 different flavors for you to enjoy! The big, resealable zipper bag is ideal for keeping jelly beans stashed away in your pantry or to bring out at a party.
The resealable bag keeps any leftover jelly beans fresh and tasty while stored away.
All the jelly beans are gluten-free and peanut-free, so it is suitable for a variety of diets and needs! The jelly beans are also certified Kosher.
Having over 50 different flavors means you get to explore all the different options that jelly beans have to offer. The gourmet jelly beans are also made with 23 real fruit juices and purees. So you know that the flavors will be authentic and great!
Each jelly bean flavor is true to its flavor and tastes just like it is supposed to, with a balance of sweet and tart, and a soft chewy center with a crunchy outside.
Jelly Belly is by far one of the better jelly bean brands on the market, and with 50 different flavors to choose from, this 3-pound bag is a winner!
2. Starburst Jelly Beans Original Fruit Flavors
Starburst is known for its popular flavored candies, so it makes sense that their jelly beans would be near the top of our list!
Starburst jelly beans are packed with juicy flavors that burst with each bite and each jelly bean. The bulk, pantry-sized jar has a resealable lid, so you can dip in and enjoy these jelly beans while they stay fresh in the cupboard.
This 3-pound jar includes the original Starburst flavors, cherry, orange, strawberry, lemon, green apple, and grape. These are a blend of natural and artificial flavors.
Full of fruitiness and featuring all of your favorite original flavors, this big jar of jelly beans is a must if you need a good supply to keep at home!
3. Welch’s Assorted Fruit Flavored Jelly Beans
Welch’s jelly beans give you a delicious burst of unique flavors. Eating them will give you a jelly bean experience for your taste buds to remember, keeping you coming back for more!
The assorted fruit flavors are unique and delicious, including varieties like concord grape, white grape, peach, and raspberry, made with natural and artificial flavors. They taste a lot like the classic Welch’s juices you know and love.
Welch’s jelly beans are slightly smaller than most jelly beans, but they do tend to have a much stronger flavor too, which is why they are a favorite for so many.
Each bag is 13 ounces, which is the perfect snack size to enjoy! The fruity flavors and the great chew that the jelly beans offer really are unique to Welch’s, and are definitely worth a try!
4. Skittles Jellybeans
If you love Skittles, then we’re sure you will absolutely love Skittles Jellybeans!
These are limited edition candies, so you should stock up on a few bags to ensure you have them to enjoy for some time!
The flavors included in the pack are grape, lime, lemon, strawberry, and orange, all the original, delicious flavors you could hope for.
With a soft and chewy texture and a sweet and tart taste, bursting with some fruity flavors, the Skittles Jellybeans are worth grabbing before they all sell out.
5. Brach’s Classic Jelly Beans
The Brach’s Classic Jelly Beans are a great treat to enjoy on their own. Or, you can delight your friends and family by using them as decorations for cakes and other desserts, thanks to their bright colors and great taste!
The jelly beans are fruity, chewy, and sweet, with a good tart balance too. Featuring all the classic flavors such as pineapple, lemon, lime, orange, raspberry, cherry, grape, and licorice, you get a taste of all the best fruity flavors.
With a crunchy exterior and a chewy, soft interior, you’ll love each bite of these jelly beans, whether they are enjoyed on their own or with a dessert or candy mix.
Large jelly beans with a burst of flavor, these will be a favorite in your home and will provide you with the best fruity treat when the craving calls!
6. Jelly Belly BeanBoozled Mystery Jelly Beans
If you are looking for a slightly different experience of jelly beans, then the Jelly Belly BeanBoozled Mystery Jelly Beans might be the excitement you need!
When eating BeanBoozled, proceed with caution, as they contain weird and wild flavors that you would not usually expect to find.
There are different colored jelly beans included in the tub, but one color has two potential flavors. So you pick out a color, eat it, and hope you get the tastier flavor, rather than the not-so-great ones.
But if you do get a not-so-great one, you won’t even be sorry. That’s really half the fun!
For example, the white and brown speckled jelly beans could either be toasted marshmallows or stink bug. The orange and pink speckled jelly beans could be peach or barf. The yellow and white jelly beans could be buttered popcorn or rotten egg.
It’s a game of chance, and the reward is a sweet treat.
These aren’t really the type of jelly beans you eat at home on your own, but they are great for parties when you want a bit of a dare game to play. Who knows, you may get some potentially tasty jelly beans, too!
7. Jelly Belly Extreme Sport Beans
Sometimes you need your jelly beans to do a little more than just be sweet, and the Jelly Belly Extreme Sport Beans offer some great energy for when you need a boost for sports and workouts.
They contain a combination of carbs, vitamins, and electrolytes which help to improve athletic performance. They also contain caffeine for an extra energy boost.
The packs are all resealable. You can have a few energy jellybeans and then seal the pack up again for your next workout, or for some replenishment when your workout is done.
Not only do these work great for workouts and sports, but they taste really good, too. Plus, they are made with natural flavors and natural colors, all from natural sources.
This pack is watermelon flavored, but they are available in a range of different flavors too. Made with non-GMO ingredients and packed with vitamins, these will soon become your favorite pre- and post-workout treats.
8. Nerds Big Chewy Jelly Beans
The Nerds Big Chewy Jelly Beans are just as the name describes: big, chewy, and incredibly delicious.
To make these stand out from other jelly beans, these are covered in a crunchy Nerds shell, which just adds to the overall flavor.
The jelly beans come in a variety of colors, such as red, orange, purple and yellow, each with its own fruity flavor. The flavors include orange, lemon, grape, and strawberry, the favorite Nerds classic flavors.
Once you get through the outer crunchy Nerds shell, you get a juicy, chewy inside that hits all the right spots.
If you love Nerds, then you definitely need to try the Nerds Big Chewy Jelly Beans!
9. Trolli Sour Brite Jelly Beans
All those sour-candy lovers out there will adore the Trolli Sour Brite Jelly Beans!
The sweet and tart balance of the jelly beans makes the sour bite even more enjoyable. Through the sourness, you still get a great flavor fusion in every bean.
The sour medley will definitely take care of your sour cravings, but the beans are so much more than that. Each flavor is bright and vivid, and the beans have a lovely chew to them too.
To balance out the sourness of the beans, each pack contains two tangy flavors and one super sour kick flavor. So you get to enjoy the sourness without it being too overwhelming.
Flavors include cherry lemon, orange mango, grape apple, lemon raspberry, and more!
The blend of flavors in one bean, and the kick of sourness, make these beans a real taste experience!
10. SweetGourmet Jumbo Black Licorice Jelly Beans
Licorice is a favorite for some, and if you find yourself picking out the licorice jelly beans to enjoy, then you will be thrilled to hear that you can purchase a pack of all licorice jelly beans!
Enjoy the classic black licorice taste with each of the jumbo-sized jelly beans.
They are soft and chewy on the inside, and full of a spicy anise flavor.
Packed in resealable stand-up pouches, you can keep the jelly beans in the pantry to stay fresh until you feel like some licorice again!
11. Favorite Day Jelly Beans
The Favorite Day Jelly Beans will add a sweet and chewy yumminess to your day, with each bean holding a burst of fruit flavor.
The classic jelly beans feature a variety of fruity flavors, all the favorites you could want.
Other than being super flavorful, the jelly beans are perfectly chewy too. Each 14-ounce bag is resealable, so the jelly beans can be kept fresh and juicy while they wait to be eaten!
These jelly beans do not contain any of the 8 major allergens, so they work for a wide variety of dietary restrictions!
If classic jelly beans, with classic flavors, are your favorite, then you definitely need to try these out!
12. Just Born Jelly Beans
When you need a whole lot of jelly beans, then the Just Born Jelly Beans in a 5-pound bag would be just what you need!
There are approximately 1300 beans in each bag, which is a whole lot of flavor.
The jelly beans included in the big bag are all assorted fruity flavors, including all the classic flavors and more. These beans are both naturally and artificially flavored, and each bean is packed with a juicy center.
The jelly beans are also low-fat, gluten-free, and Kosher, so they see to a variety of diets!
13. Private Selection Gourmet Jelly Beans
For when you want to go gourmet, but still crave jelly beans, then there is no other option for you than to try the Private Selection Gourmet Jelly Beans.
This pack of jelly beans contains 41 exceptional, tantalizing flavors. Some of these flavors include root beer, tiramisu, spicy cinnamon, buttered popcorn, java, key lime, lemon meringue, piña colada, coconut, and so much more!
To make these jelly beans even more fun to eat, there are jelly bean recipes on the back, where you can create unique flavors using certain beans. For example, to make a smoothie mix, you can combine red delicious, tutti frutti, perfectly pear, and tangerine beans for a fruity mouthful.
Work your way through all 41 flavors in this pack, which are all indicated through color on the back of the packaging, and enjoy the burst of flavors that they give!
The Best Jelly Bean Brands – Recap
It is always worth having some jelly beans stored away at home, for when the jelly bean cravings hit! However, you do want to make sure that you have the best jelly beans possible, so you really get to enjoy the flavors and textures.
Take a look at our above list of the best jelly beans to try. We have included a range of different options, from fruity mixes to more gourmet options, and even a mix of good and bad flavored beans for when you want to play a game of dare!
Make sure to take a look through the ingredients list of the jelly beans to ensure they are suited for you, and once you have found the right beans for you, enjoy the flavors!
Related Questions
What Is The Most Popular Jelly Bean Flavor?
The most popular jelly bean flavor is very cherry, from the Jelly Belly brand. This has been the favorite for quite some time, only being out shined by buttered popcorn once in 1998!
Can Jelly Beans Be Healthy To Eat?
Jelly beans are not necessarily healthy. They are commonly high in sugar and other ingredients that are not healthy when eaten in excess.
Jelly beans are perfectly fine for a treat now and then, but they should not be eaten every day or in large quantities.
What Are The Basic Ingredients Of Jelly Beans?
All jelly bean brands have their own recipes, but the basic ingredients used to make jelly beans are sugar, corn syrup or tapioca, pectin or starch, and flavors and colorants.
It does help to choose jelly beans that have been made with natural colors and flavors.
Related Articles
17 Best Hard Candies11 Best Caramel Candy
