National Jell-O Week

Just about everyone should be familiar with Jell-O. It’s a brand that makes a variety of no-bake cream pies and puddings. When most people say “Jell-O,” however, they usually aren’t referring to these other products but instead to the fruit-flavored gelatin products that have been around since the 19th century.

This product has been found in school cafeterias, homes, and lunch bags for many of us since we were children. It’s such a popular product that there is even a holiday dedicated to it. This holiday is aptly known as National Jell-O Week, and it encourages everyone to reacquaint themselves with this delicious gelatin-based product.

The History of National Jell-O Week

To appreciate this holiday week, we would like to take a trip back to a time before Jell-O when gelatin-based desserts were just getting started. Most food historians agree that gelatin-based desserts began to become popular in the Middle East during the 14th century and soon spread across Europe.

Originally, they were a dish that could only be enjoyed by the wealthiest of people because it was expensive to make. Over time, however, the cost to make them began to drop. In 1897, Pearle Bixby Wait registered the trademark for the name Jell-O and its recipe.

Two years later, he ended up selling the rights to it to Orator Woodward for the price of $450. By the beginning of the 20th century, powdered gelatin was widely available, and Jell-O was making over $1 million annually. The brand would trade hands once again when it was sold to General Foods. It’s been a popular dessert brand ever since.

In 2001, Jell-O created this holiday so that everyone could enjoy the simple pleasures of Jell-O. Currently, as of the writing of this article, Jell-O has 22 official flavors. Some of their more popular ones include cherry, cherry lemonade, and fruit punch.

Observing National Jell-O Week

Celebrating this holiday week is as easy as picking up some Jell-O at your local supermarket and having some fun with it. It’s also a good week for people to share their love of this product with friends and family members.

When is it?
This year (2024)
February 12 Monday
Next year (2025)
February 10 Monday
Last year (2023)
February 13 Monday
Topic
Food & Drinks