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| Product type | Gelatin dessert,pudding |
|---|---|
| Owner | Kraft Heinz |
| Produced by | Kraft Foods |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 1897; 129 years ago (1897) |
| Website | www |
| Type | Gelatin desserts,puddings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States | ||||||
| Created by | Pearle Bixby Wait | ||||||
| Main ingredients | Powderedgelatin, sugar or artificial sweetener, artificial flavors, food coloring | ||||||
| Variations | Many flavors and various snacks | ||||||
| 80 kcal (330 kJ) [regular], 10 kcal (42 kJ) [sugar-free] | |||||||
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Jell-O (stylized inall caps) is an Americanbrand offering a variety of powderedgelatin dessert (fruit-flavored gels/jellies),pudding, and no-bakecream pie mixes. The originalgelatin dessert (genericized asjello) is the signature of the brand. "Jell-O" is aregistered trademark ofKraft Heinz, and is based inChicago, Illinois.
The dessert was especially popular in the first half of the 20th century. The original gelatin dessert began inLe Roy, New York, in 1897, when Pearle Bixby Wait registered atrademark for the nameJell-O. He and his wife May had made the product by addingstrawberry,raspberry,orange, andlemon flavoring to sugar and granulated gelatin (which had beenpatented in 1845). The powder is mixed with boiling water and then cooled to produce a gel.
Jell-O is sold prepared (ready-to-eat), or in powder form, and is available in various colors and flavors. The powder contains powderedgelatin and flavorings, includingsugar orartificial sweeteners. It is dissolved in hot water, then chilled and allowed to set. Fruit, vegetables, and whipped cream can be added to make elaborate snacks that can be molded into shapes.[1]
Some non-gelatin pudding and pie-filling products are sold under the Jell-O brand. Ordinary Jell-O pudding is cooked on the stove top (with milk) then eaten warm or chilled, whereas Jell-Oinstant pudding is mixed with cold milk and chilled; it sets without cooking. To make pie fillings, the same pudding products are prepared with less liquid.[2]
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Gelatin, a protein produced fromcollagen extracted from boiled bones, connective tissues, and other animal products, has been a component of food, particularly desserts, since the 15th century.[3]
Gelatin was popularized in New York in theVictorian era with spectacular and complex jelly molds. Gelatin was sold in sheets and had to be purified, which was time-consuming. Gelatin desserts were the province of royalty and the relatively well-to-do. In 1845, a patent for powdered gelatin was obtained by industrialistPeter Cooper, who built the first Americansteam-poweredlocomotive, theTom Thumb.[4][5] This powdered gelatin was easy to manufacture and easier to use in cooking.
In 1897, inLeRoy, New York, carpenter and cough syrup manufacturer Pearle Bixby Wait trademarked a gelatin dessert called "Jell-O". Wait and his wife, May, addedstrawberry,raspberry,orange, andlemon flavoring to granulated gelatin and sugar.[6] In 1899, Wait sold Jell-O to "Orator Francis Woodward", whose Genesee Pure Food Company produced the successful Grain-O health drink. Part of the legal agreement between Woodward and Wait dealt with the similar Jell-O name.[7][8]
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Various elements were key to Jell-O becoming a mainstream product: new technologies, such asrefrigeration, powdered gelatin and machine packaging,home economics classes, and the company's marketing.[9]
Initially, Woodward struggled to sell the powdered product. Beginning in 1902, to raise awareness, Woodward's Genesee Pure Food Company placedadvertisements in theLadies' Home Journal proclaiming Jell-O to be "America's Most Famous Dessert."[10] Jell-O was a minor success until 1904, when Genesee Pure Food Company sent armies of salesmen into the field to distribute free Jell-O cookbooks, a pioneering marketing tactic.[11]
Within a decade, Genesee Pure Food Company added three new flavors,chocolate (discontinued in 1927),cherry, andpeach, and it launched the brand in Canada.[10]Celebrity testimonials and recipes appeared in advertisements featuring actressEthel Barrymore andopera singerErnestine Schumann-Heink. Some Jell-O illustrated advertisements were painted byMaxfield Parrish.
In 1923, the newly rechristened Jell-O Company launched "D-Zerta", an artificially sweetened version of Jell-O. Two years later,Postum and Genesee merged, and in 1927 Postum acquiredClarence Birdseye's frozen foods company to form theGeneral Foods Corporation.
By 1930, there appeared a vogue inAmerican cuisine forcongealed salads, and the company introducedlime-flavored Jell-O, to complement the add-ins that cooks across the country were combining in theseaspics and salads. Popular Jell-O recipes often included ingredients like cabbage, celery, green peppers, and even cooked pasta.[10]
In 1934, sponsorship from Jell-O made comedianJack Benny the dessert's spokesperson.[12] At this time Post introduced ajingle ("featured" by the agencyYoung & Rubicam[13]) that was familiar over several decades, in which the spelling "J-E-L-L-O" was (or could be) sung over a rising five-note musical theme.
The jingle was written byDon Bestor, who, at the time, was the bandleader on Jack Benny's radio show, "The Jell-O Program Starring Jack Benny."[14]
In 1936, chocolate returned to the Jell-O lineup, as an instant pudding made with milk. It proved enormously popular, and over time other pudding flavors were added such asvanilla,tapioca,coconut,pistachio,butterscotch,egg custard,flan, andrice pudding.
By the 1950s, salads became so popular that Jell-O responded with savory and vegetable flavors such ascelery,Italian, mixed vegetable, and seasonedtomato. These flavors have since been discontinued.[10]
| External videos | |
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 Kitchen Chemistry: Jell-O, Tracing Jell-O’s rise to fame,Science History Institute |
Though much of the elaborate and dainty tea time fare served between the 1920s and 1950s was luxurious and decorative, using fancy ingredients likecaviar orlobster, Jell-O became an affordable ornamental ingredient that women were able to use to create feminine, light, delicate dishes that were the standard of refined tea time fare during that period. By the Jazz Age nearly 1/3 of salad recipes in an average cookbook were gelatin-based recipes including varied fillings of fruit, vegetables or even cream cheese.
Typical recipes from the early 20th century included exotic fruits likefigs,dates andbananas, or lemon flavored jello paired withmaraschino cherries and other ingredients likemarshmallows andalmonds.[15] One sweet gelatin-based fruit dessert called only "Good Salad" includes vanilla pudding, tapioca pudding,pineapple, mandarin oranges and orange gelatin. The pudding mixes are made with the reserved juice from the canned fruit and the flavored gelatin, the fruits are added and the dessert salad is allowed to set in the fridge and served cool.[16]
One savory recipe collected by theDes Moines Register, published inIowa, is for a tomato soup gelatin salad. The salad, served chilled, is made from lemon gelatin, tomato soup, cream cheese, stuffed olives combined with various other ingredients and seasonings.[16]
Thebaby boom saw a significant increase in sales for Jell-O. Young mothers didn't have the supporting community structures of earlier generations, so marketers were quick to promote easy-to-prepare prepackaged foods. By this time, creating a Jell-O dessert required simply boiling water, combining the water with Jell-O, and putting the mixture intoTupperware molds and refrigerating it for a short time.[9]
New flavors were continually added and unsuccessful flavors were removed: in the 1950s and 1960s,apple,black cherry,black raspberry,grape, lemon-lime, mixed fruit, orange-banana, pineapple-grapefruit,blackberry, strawberry-banana, tropical fruit, and more intense "wild" versions of the venerable strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. In 1966, the Jell-O "No-Bake" dessert line was launched, which allowed acheesecake to be made in 15 minutes. In 1969,Jell-O 1∗2∗3 (later Jell-O 1•2•3), a gelatin dessert that separated into three layers as it cooled, was unveiled. Until 1987, Jell-O 1•2•3 was readily found in grocery stores throughout most of the United States, but the dessert is now discontinued. In 1971 packaged prepared pudding called Jell-O Pudding Treats were introduced. Jell-O Whip 'n Chill, amousse-style dessert, was introduced and widely promoted; it remains available in limited areas today. A similar dessert called Jell-O Soft Swirl was introduced in 1972, flavors included Chocolate Creme, Strawberry Creme, Vanilla Creme, and Peach Creme.Florence Henderson appeared in TV ads for this product.
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In 1964, theslogan "There's always room for Jell-O" was introduced, promoting the product as a "light dessert" that could easily be consumed even after a heavy meal.
Throughout the 1960s through the 1980s, Jell-O's sales steadily decreased. Many Jell-O dishes, such as desserts and Jell-O salads, became special occasion foods rather than everyday items. Marketers blamed this decline on decreasing family sizes, a "fast-paced" lifestyle and women's increasing employment. By 1986, a market study concluded that mothers with young children rarely purchased Jell-O.[9]
To turn things around, Jell-O hiredDana Gioia to stop the decline. The marketing team revisited the Jell-O recipes published in past cookbooks and rediscovered Jigglers, although the original recipe did not use that name. Jigglers are Jell-O snacks molded into fun shapes and eaten as finger food. Jell-O launched a massive marketing campaign, notably featuringBill Cosby as spokesman. The campaign was a huge success, causing a significant market gain.[9]
Cosby became the brand's spokesperson in 1974, and he continued as the voice of Jell-O for almost thirty years.[17] Over his tenure as the mouthpiece for the company, he helped introduce new products such as frozen Jell-O Pops (in gelatin and pudding varieties); the new Sugar-Free Jell-O, which replaced D-Zerta in 1984 and was sweetened withNutraSweet; Jell-O Jigglers concentratedgummi snacks; and Sparkling Jell-O, a carbonated version of the dessert touted as the "Champagne of Jell-O". In 2010, Cosby returned as Jell-O spokesperson in an on-line web series calledOBKB.[18]
In 1990, General Foods was merged intoKraft Foods Inc. by parent companyPhilip Morris (now the Altria Group). New flavors were introduced:watermelon,blueberry,cranberry,margarita, andpiña colada, among others. In 2001, the state Senate ofUtah recognized Jell-O as a favorite snack food of Utah, recognizing the fundamental basis of Jell-O inMormon cuisine such asJell-O salad, andGovernorMichael O. Leavitt declared an annual "Jell-O Week."[19] During the2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the souvenir pins included one depicting green Jell-O.[20]
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Jell-O's family-friendly reputation was slightly tarnished byJell-O shots and Jell-O wrestling.[9]
As of 2011[update], there were over 420 million boxes of Jell-O gelatin and over 1 billion Jell-O cups sold in the United States each year.[21] As of 2016[update], there were more than 110 products sold under the Jell-O brand name.[22]
Jell-O is used as a substantial ingredient in a well-known dessert, the "Jell-O mold", which requires amold designed to hold gelatin, and the depositing of small quantities of chopped fruit, nuts, and other ingredients before it hardens to its typical form. Fresh pineapple, papaya, kiwifruit, and ginger root cannot be used because they contain enzymes that prevent gelatin from "setting". In the case of pineapple juice and the enzyme bromelain that it contains though, the enzyme can be inactivated without denaturing through excessive heating and thus altering the flavor by the addition of a small measured amount of capsaicin sourced from hot chilies.[23]
An alternative recipe calls for the addition of analcoholic beverage to the mix, contributing approximately one third to one half of the liquid added after the gelatin has dissolved in a boil.[24] A serving of the resulting mixture is called a "Jell-O shot", or the genericized "Jello shot", at parties. The quantity and timing of the addition of the liquor are vital aspects; it is not possible to make Jell-O shots with liquor alone, as the colloidal proteins in dry gelatin consist of chains which require a hot liquid todenature them before they can then reform as a semisolid colloidal suspension. Pure alcohol cannot be heated sufficiently to break down these proteins, as it evaporates.[25]
Vodka orrum is commonly used in Jell-O shots, but the shots can be made with almost any liquor or blends of multiple liquors. It is important to adjust the proportions of alcohol and cold water to ensure that the mixture sets when experimenting with various liquors. The Jell-O shots can be served in shot glasses or small paper or plastic cups; the paper or plastic cups are easier to eat from, but shot glasses are more attractive. The alcohol in Jell-O shots is contained within the Jell-O, so the body absorbs it more slowly, causing people to underestimate how much alcohol they have consumed. Drinkers must monitor their intake because of this.[26]
American singer-songwriterTom Lehrer claims to have invented the Jell-O shot in the 1950s to circumvent restrictions on alcoholic beverages at the army base where he was stationed.[27] An early published recipe for an alcoholic gelatin drink dates from 1862, found inHow to Mix Drinks, or The Bon Vivant's Companion byJerry Thomas: his recipe for "Punch Jelly" calls for the addition ofisinglass or othergelatin to a punch made fromcognac, rum, and lemon juice.[28][29] Thomas warns that strength of the punch is "artfully concealed" by the gelatin.[28]
As of 2012[update],LeRoy, New York, is known as the home of Jell-O and has the only Jell-O Museum in the world, located on the main road through the small town. Jell-O was manufactured here until General Foods closed the plant in 1964 and relocated manufacturing toDover, Delaware.[5] The Jell-O Gallery museum is operated by the Le Roy Historical Society at theLe Roy House and Union Free School, listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1997.[30]
At the museum, visitors can learn about the history of the dessert from its inception. Visitors starting on East Main Street, follow Jell-O Brick Road, whose stones are inscribed with the names of former factory employees. The museum offers looks at starting materials for Jell-O, such as sturgeon bladder and calves' hooves, and various molds.[31]
The Jell-O plant (Kraft Heinz) inMason City,Iowa, producesAmerica's supply of ready-to-eat Jell-O gelatin dessert andpudding cups.[32]
Jell-O's early advertising campaign, initially directed by William E. Humelbaugh and later Frank LaBounty, first appeared in theLadies' Home Journal in 1904. The print ads were often accompanied by recipes and color illustrations and became very popular. Artists such asRose O'Neill,Maxfield Parrish,Coles Phillips,Norman Rockwell, Linn Ball, and Angus MacDonall contributed to the campaign. Franklin King, working for ad agency Dauchy Company, depicted his daughter Elizabeth in many of the illustrations, making her the recognizable "Jell-O Girl".[12]
Jack Benny's top-rated radio program began its Jell-O sponsorship in 1934.[12] The show did not break for commercials; instead, announcer Don Wilson incorporated speeches about Jell-O into the program at appropriate places, to Jack's feigned comic annoyance. The first show originated the five-note "J-E-L-L-O!" jingle retained in Jell-O's later advertising.Lucille Ball'sMy Favorite Husband, the radio predecessor to TV'sI Love Lucy, was another popular program sponsored by Jell-O for much of its 124-episode run, beginning January 7, 1949. Ball's character Liz Cooper often opened the program with the lively greeting, "Jell-O, everybody!"
ComedianBill Cosby was associated with Jell-O and, more famously, Jell-O pudding, and he appeared in many commercials promoting both before he was later dismissed due tothe accusations in 2014.[33] Later shows likeMad TV,The Simpsons andSaturday Night Live parody Cosby, using Jell-O references like "pudding pop". In the 1960s, the cast of the sitcomHogan's Heroes did a commercial withCarol Channing featuring Colonel Hogan, his men, Kommandant Klink and Sergeant Shultz having Jell-O and Dream Whip for dessert. Also, in the first few seasons of the first of Lucille Ball's two 1960s television series,The Lucy Show, cast members including Vivian Vance often did commercials for Jell-O.
In 1995, Jell-O carried the tagline "It's alive!" and had the phrase "J-E-L-L-OOOOOOO!".
In August 2018, Jell-O released ananimated series onYouTube andAmazon Prime Video titled "JELL-O Wobz" in partnership withDreamWorksTV.[34]
In 2023, Jell-O updated the brand design for the first time in a decade, making it more playful. The logo became bolder and blockier, and hyper-realistic images of pudding and jelly fruit appeared.[35]
In September 2024, Jell-O launches The Jelly Collection inflatable furniture series inspired by the iconic Jell-O molds.[36]
Jell-O is mentioned in the 1936 popular song "A Fine Romance" byDorothy Fields (with music byJerome Kern), where it is humorously referred to as a mundane alternative to the excitement of romantic love.[37] In 1980, the American composerWilliam Bolcom wrote a popular humorous song about Jell-O, "Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise", satirising its use in combined sweet and savory dishes such asJello salad.[38][39]
In 1992, Ivette Bassa won the second everIg Nobel Prize in chemistry for inventing blue Jell-O.[40][41]
The rock groupGreen Jellÿ was originally named Green Jellö, but had to change their name due to a lawsuit by Kraft Foods which claimed that the band was infringing the trademark for Jell-O.[42]
Jell-O is especially popular amongMormons, so much so that theMormon Corridor region is nicknamed theJell-O Belt.[43][44][45][46][47] Jell-O was recognized in 2001 as "a favorite snack food of Utah" by the Utah Senate,[48] observing that Utah had had the highest per-capita consumption of Jell-O for many years, and how citizens of Utah had rallied to "Take Back the Title" afterDes Moines, Iowa, exceeded Utah in Jell-O consumption in 1999.[49] The culture of Utah, petitions by Utahns, and campaigning by students ofBrigham Young University were also mentioned as reasons for recognizing Jell-O.[49]Bill Cosby, longtime spokesperson for the Jell-O brand, appeared before the Utah Legislature in support of the resolution. "He told the assembly that he believes the reason people in Utah love Jell-O is that the snack is perfect for families – and the people of Utah are all about family."[50]
The stereotype of Mormons loving Jell-O does not have a long history. Media reports in 1969 and 1988 on foods popular among Mormons or in Utah make no mention of Jell-O, and a 1988 article mentions Jell-O as aLutheran tradition. In the late 1980s, Jell-O had a marketing campaign promoting the snack and its Jigglers recipe as fun for children and easy for parents, which played well among family-oriented Mormons.[51] In 1997,Kraft released sales figures revealingSalt Lake City to have the highest per-capita Jell-O consumption.[9]
 | This section is about an event or subjectthat may not be current but does not specify the time period. Please helpimprove it to include this information. Thetalk page may contain suggestions.(April 2017) |
The following are the flavors of Jell-O products that are currently being produced:[52]
^a Also available in a sugar free/low calorie product.
^b Available seasonally.
^c Only available as a prepared product.
A Jell-O shot is a cocktail you can eat.
A Fine Romance song jello.
[...] the Jell-O Belt (the self-referential term for Utah and Idaho, home to large Mormon families that consider the colorful gelatin a staple food for dinner and church socials)[.]
'A film that was locally produced will find an audience beyond the Jell-O Belt [...]'
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