Beech Tree News Network

I love marshmallow Peeps.  I’m certainly not the only one.  Peeps are the versatile confection candy.  You can eat, smash, microwave, deep fry or roast them on a stick.  You can also make historically accurate Peep diorama’s, Peep jousting, hide and go Peeps and Peepshi-sushi made out of Peeps.
The storied candy brand celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.  To celebrate, the company has their first television ad in a decade.  The ad captures an essential truth about the spongy confection made of sugar, corn syrup and gelatin. 
People do all sorts of things with Peeps, only some of which include giving them to kids or (and this is what I do to this day) eat them straight from the box.  “Everyone seems to have a Peeps story”, says Ross Born, third generation operator of Just Born Inc.  The company hatches 5 million Peeps a day.  Their plant is 60 miles north of Philadelphia.  Born continues, “And they are free and willing to talk about how they eat their Peeps, how they cure them, decorate with them.  And these are adults!”
Just Born calls it the “Peepsonality” of customers who buy Peeps not just to eat, but also to play with.  Aficionados send the chicks into battle in a microwave sport known as “Peep Jousting”.  They enter Peeps art contests, dozens of which are held around the country this time of year. Innovative recipes like “Peepza”, cheeky blog titles like “101 ways to torture a Peep”, and many more things celebrate the Peep.
Hoping to capitalize, Just Born Inc. recently re-opened Three Peeps & Co. retail stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Minnesota.  The company will churn out a record more than one billion Peeps this Easter.  They see their 60th anniversary as another marketing opportunity and chance to connect with fans. 
How do you enjoy a Peep? First off, you can’t eat just one.  Do you like them fresh, frozen, or aged to perfection? Born says “it’s just a matter of politics.”  The Commander in Peep adds, “you’ve got people(or is it Peeple) on one side and some on the other, and a whole lot of people in the middle.” 
As I said earlier, I love Peeps. I imagine you could make a Peep S’more if you wanted.  I’ve never done it, though now I may need to try.  So, as you celebrate Easter this Sunday, have a Peep on me.
Hello, my name is Andy Sullivan. I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in May 2009. I began writing for Beech Tree News in July 2009.  I enjoy playing guitar, the occasional Wii game, writing, and listening to music. I write a sports blog that can be found at http://andyuk79.tumblr.com
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