11 Fun Facts You Should Know About Jell-O (2024)

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Updated: Jan. 14, 2022

    By 1904, Jell-O was "America's Most Famous Dessert"—at least according to its ads! Here are 11 things you never knew about the brand behind the box.

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    Taste of Home

    Utah eats more Jell-O than any other state

    The people in Utah love their Jell-O! The state has an entire holiday week dedicated to the jiggly treat, and it’s even Utah’s official state food.

    (Here are 25 retro Jell-O desserts you might see at a party in Utah.)

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    The inventor’s wife came up with the name

    Peter Cooper invented Jell-O, but it was his wife, May, who named the treat. (There’s more—Cooper didn’t have enough money to advertise his product, so he sold the business to a man named Orator Frank Woodward. Woodward was the guy who was able to make Jell-O a successful business.)

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    It’s nearly 90% sugar

    Did you know this jiggly dessert is made almost entirely of sugar? (This explains why you might not want to eat dessert every day!) But without the sugar, Jell-O would be colorless and have no flavor or smell.

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    Shutterstock / Everett Historical

    It was a snack at Ellis Island

    Many years ago, thousands of immigrants came through Ellis Island to find a better life in America. When they arrived, they were given Jell-O as a snack. It was a tasty treat used to welcome travelers to their new home.

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    75% of Americans have Jell-O at home

    Three out of every four American families has Jell-O in the cupboard. It doesn’t take long to make a batch for dessert, and it’s perfect for making fun desserts and salads. It’s budget-friendly, too, which makes it a great option for any family.

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    Shutterstock / Cesarz

    A full week in February is dedicated to Jell-O

    Sure, Utah celebrates a week of Jell-O, but so does the whole United States! National Jell-O Week is celebrated February 12-18. Plus, there’s also a national holiday dedicated to Jell-O: National Eat Your Jell-O Day, which is celebrated every year on July 12.

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    Shutterstock / Arina P Habich

    Jell-O used to make vegetable flavors

    We know Jell-O has fruit flavors like Strawberry and Raspberry, but the company once sold vegetable flavors, too. Options like Tomato and Celery were on store shelves at one point, but not surprisingly, no one wanted to buy them.

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    It doesn’t need to be eaten

    Jell-O is usually eaten for a snack or dessert, but it doesn’t have to be. You can use a box to dye your hair, make finger paint or even create edible play-dough. We’ll stick to making fluffy and jiggly retro desserts, though.

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    Shutterstock / Andrea Skjold Mink

    Jell-O has 22 official flavors

    When Jell-O got its start in the 1800s, there were only four flavors: Strawberry, Raspberry, Orange and Lemon. Through the years, more flavors were added. Today, there are 22 options for dessert, including Strawberry Banana, Melon Fusion and Tropical Fusion.

    Originally Published: October 29, 2018

    Author

    Julia Mullaney

    Julia Mullaney is a writer, blogger and self-proclaimed macaroni and cheese connoisseur based in New Jersey. She is currently a health & fitness writer for Cheat Sheet and previously worked as the editorial manager of Edible Jersey Magazine. Her work has been published in Rachael Ray Every Day, Art Quench, RMagazine and Edible Jersey. She is the au...

    11 Fun Facts You Should Know About Jell-O (2024)

    FAQs

    What are some fun facts about Jell-O? ›

    JELL-O TRIVIA

    The first four JELL-O flavors were orange, lemon, strawberry, and raspberry. Lime was introduced in 1930. During an airshow at the Woodward Airport, one of the contests involved having the pilot land the plane, run up to a table and eat a bowl of JELL-O and then run back to the plane and take off.

    What were the first 4 flavors of Jell-O? ›

    In 1897, in LeRoy, New York, carpenter and cough syrup manufacturer Pearle Bixby Wait trademarked a gelatin dessert called "Jell-O". Wait and his wife, May, added strawberry, raspberry, orange, and lemon flavoring to granulated gelatin and sugar.

    Who eats the most Jell-O in the world? ›

    Utah eats more Jell-O than any other state

    The people in Utah love their Jell-O! The state has an entire holiday week dedicated to the jiggly treat, and it's even Utah's official state food. (Here are 25 retro Jell-O desserts you might see at a party in Utah.)

    What is the real name for Jell-O? ›

    You know what we're talking about. Jell-O. Jell-O is the brand name of something called gelatin dessert.

    Why is it called Jell-O? ›

    It was originally created by Pearle Bixby Wait in 1897 and initially marketed as "Jell-O." The exact origin of the name "Jell-O" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to be a combination of "gelatin" and the word "Jell," which means to set or become firm.

    What state eats the most Jell-O? ›

    Utah likes Jell-O. It's more than just an urban legend. The Beehive State, per capita, eats more of the "watch it wiggle, see it jiggle" brand of gelatin than any other state in the country.

    What was the first color of Jell-O? ›

    1897 – The original four Jell-O gelatin flavors were raspberry, strawberry, lemon, and orange. 1904 – Cherry and chocolate flavors are introduced.

    Why is Jell-O no longer popular? ›

    Jell-O shifted to single-serve cups and more convenient options as competition for snacks and desserts grew. Kraft in the early 2000's shifted the focus of Jell-O's advertising away from kids and toward adults. It pitched sugar-free Jell-O, for example, as a treat for Atkins dieters.

    What Jell-O flavor is pink? ›

    Strawberry is an original flavor too, and while it can easily be confused for the Raspberry flavor (since it does look very similar), it's more of a pink than a red color. Other red flavors of Jell-O also include Cherry, Black Cherry, Tropical Fusion, Cranberry and Strawberry Banana.

    Why is Jell-O so expensive? ›

    The demand for Gelatin has been increasing in recent years due to its use in various sectors, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This increased demand has put upward pressure on prices in the domestic market.

    What animal is Jell-O made from? ›

    Gelatin is made from animal collagen — a protein that makes up connective tissues, such as skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones. The hides and bones of certain animals — often cows and pigs — are boiled, dried, treated with a strong acid or base, and finally filtered until the collagen is extracted.

    How many flavors of Jell-O are there? ›

    In case you live in a cave, Jello is a flavored gelatin dessert. Anywho, I was wondering, how many flavors are there. So far as I can tell, the answer is 62.

    What is Jell-O mascot? ›

    Jello Man and Wobbly was mascot of Jell-O.

    Does Jell-O expire? ›

    Jello. Shelf life: Unopened Jello dry powder mix will last indefinitely while sealed, pre-packaged prepared Jello will last 2-4 months past its “best by” date in the pantry and 12-18 months beyond a “best by” date in the refrigerator.

    Why do hospitals give you Jell-O? ›

    Why Do They Give Hospital Patients Jell-O? Considering how easily digested Jell-O is because of it's smooth, liquid characteristics, patients in hospitals are given the nutrient dense protein for more reasons than just taste and digestion. It also proves to be a good source of calories because of the sugar content.

    What are some fun facts about Jell-O for kids? ›

    Did you know that Jello has been around since the late 1800s? It was first introduced in 1897 by Pearle Wait, a carpenter in LeRoy, New York. Originally, it was sold in powdered form and was called “Jell-O.” Years later, it was acquired by the company now known as Kraft Foods.

    How long has Jell-O existed? ›

    The earliest recipes for jellies start to appear in the 14th century, where the medieval cooks would boil meat with spices and let the mixture set. However, the success of the dish would have depended on the type and cut of meat that was used.

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