National Gumdrop Day

National Gumdrop Day, observed February 15th, celebrates the small, dome-shaped, sugar-coated candy known for its chewy texture and range of fruit and spice flavors. Gumdrops date back to 19th-century American candy-making, made from a gelled mixture, traditionally set with gelatin, cornstarch, or gum arabic, then coated in coarse sugar crystals for texture and shelf stability. Despite the name, most modern gumdrops contain no actual chewing gum ingredients; the "gum" in the name instead refers to the gum-like chewy texture of the candy itself or historically to gum arabic used as a setting agent in some recipes. Gumdrops became especially associated with holiday baking and decoration, particularly gingerbread houses, where their bright colors and sturdy shape make them popular decorative candy, and they were also a common penny-candy staple sold by weight from glass jars in American candy stores through much of the 20th century. Spice-flavored versions, including cinnamon and licorice-adjacent flavors, remain a distinct and nostalgic gumdrop category alongside the more common fruit flavors. On National Gumdrop Day, people celebrate by snacking on gumdrops, using them in holiday-style baking decorations, or reminiscing about classic penny-candy shops.