Peeps: Talk about a polarizing subject!
People either love or hate those ubiquitous lumps of sugar found most commonly in the shape of chicks and bunnies. Are you a fan?
I would rather chew on tin foil than pop a Peep; the mere sight of them makes me want to brush my teeth. Vigorously.
For those who love Peeps, choices abound: chicks or bunnies, fresh or stale, plain, flavored or chocolate-covered.
Would you believe some 66 years ago, it took 27 hours to make a Peep as each chick was handmade with a pastry tube? Now it takes just six minutes to produce a Peep.
The sweet shapes are made with granulated and liquid sugar, and corn syrup; later gelatin and vanilla extract are added. The eyes are made with a non-toxic edible wax (found in some shoe polishes and car waxes).
Yum.
Couple more Peep pointers:
- Peeps are found in an array of flavors and each year brings new tastes: fruit punch, sour watermelon, lemon sherbet, blueberry, and pancakes and syrup.
- Some lip balms are Peep-flavored.
- At the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the company makes enough peeps in a single year to circle the earth—twice!
Whether your basket contains Peeps among the chocolate treats, I wish you a Happy Easter!
