Inside the Factory Where Peeps are Made

Introduction to Peeps

Love them or hate them, those marshmallow Peeps that come in blindingly bright colors and an array of flavors are inescapable around the Easter holiday. Millions are made daily in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by Just Born Quality Confections, a family-owned candy manufacturer that also churns out Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike fruit chews and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews.

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Peeps is Just Born’s most recognizable brand and one of a handful of candies that evoke strong reactions — good and bad. Some say an Easter basket isn’t complete without Peeps while others deride them as being indestructible. Some use them in recipes or even artwork. “Even if you’re not usually one to gravitate to eating the Peeps, there’s always so many other fun ways to include them in your celebrations,” said Caitlin Servian, brand manager for Peeps.

Production Volume

How many Peeps are made each year?

On average, about 5.5 million are made each day. That adds up to 2 billion a year — or roughly 6 Peeps for every man, woman and child across the U.S.

Peeps Manufacturing Process

Peeps marshmallow treats move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Workers monitor Peeps marshmallow treats as they move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Peeps marshmallow treats move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Sugar is unloaded during the Peeps marshmallow treats manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Peeps marshmallow treats move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Peeps marshmallow treats move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Peeps marshmallow treats move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A worker monitors Peeps marshmallow treats as they move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Peeps marshmallow treats move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Peeps marshmallow treats move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Peeps marshmallow treats move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Peeps marshmallow treats move through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Workers package Peeps marshmallow treats at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A box of Peeps marshmallow treats moves through the manufacturing process at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Just Born factory where Peeps marshmallow treats are made is seen in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Varieties and Colors

How many different varieties and colors are there?

First hatched in yellow, the sugary chicks and bunnies come in nine colors for this Easter season, including pink, blue and lavender. And there are even more flavors — 14 for Easter — from cookies and cream, to fruit punch and sour watermelon. The varieties and colors vary throughout the year with different holiday seasons.

Production Time

How long does it take to make a Peep?

Before the early 1950s, making the candies by hand took 27 hours. Bob Born, who became known as the “Father of Peeps,” came up with a way to speed up the process. He and a company engineer designed a machine to make them in less than six minutes. The same process is used today.

Manufacturing Process

How are they made?

The main ingredients — sugar, corn syrup and gelatin — are cooked and combined to create marshmallows, which are then shaped and sent through a “sugar shower.” A whopping 400 pounds of sugar is used per batch for Peeps’ colored sugars. Freshly made Peeps — each chick weighs one-third of an ounce — then move along a conveyor so that they can cool before being packaged.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the making of Peeps is a fascinating process that involves a combination of traditional methods and modern machinery. From the cooking of the marshmallow mixture to the application of colored sugar, each step is crucial in creating these beloved Easter treats. Whether you love them or hate them, Peeps are an integral part of many Easter celebrations, and their production is a remarkable feat of candy making.

FAQs

• Q: How many Peeps are made each day?
  A: Approximately 5.5 million Peeps are made each day.
• Q: How many varieties of Peeps are available?
  A: There are 14 flavors of Peeps available for Easter, and the varieties and colors vary throughout the year with different holiday seasons.
• Q: How long does it take to make a Peep?
  A: With the help of machines, a Peep can be made in less than six minutes.
• Q: What are the main ingredients used to make Peeps?
  A: The main ingredients used to make Peeps are sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin.
• Q: How much sugar is used per batch for Peeps’ colored sugars?
  A: A whopping 400 pounds of sugar is used per batch for Peeps’ colored sugars.