logo
episode-header-image
Apr 8
40m 44s

🐣 Peeps: A Backroom Marshmallow Mystery...

Wondery
About this episode

Roscoe Rodda was in the fight of his life. His candy factory was right down the road from Milton Hershey’s—yes, THAT Hershey’s—and he needed to set himself apart. So Roscoe embraced a single holiday to get the competitive confectionery edge: Easter. Chocolate eggs, jellybeans
 and a secret treat painstakingly sculpted behind closed doors: a marshmallow chick with inquisitive waxy black eyes. These chicks circulated in obscurity until a Navy engineer-turned- candymaker molded them into a squishy, sugary phenomenon. (Today, 1.5 billion Peeps are eaten worldwide, just during Easter alone.) Find out how Peeps went from secretive snack to Easter GOAT—and why some people love ‘em, some hate ‘em, but everyone loves exploding them in the microwave. Here’s why Peeps are the best idea yet.

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Follow The Best Idea Yet on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Jul 8
đŸ„Frisbee: A Pie in the Sky Idea (literally) | 39
What do you do for fun if you’re a bored college kid? For students across New England in the early 1900s, the answer was simple: toss around empty pie tins (obviously). Soon, shouts of “Frisbee!” echoed across campus quads — and a local recreational sensation was born. But it too ... Show More
38m 49s
Jul 1
🎭 Hamilton: From Founding Father To Broadway Star | 38
In 2008, Lin-Manuel Miranda badly needed a vacation. He’d just won the Tony for his musical “In The Heights,” he’d been going nonstop. So he took a break, bringing a book with him for poolside lounging: the 800-page biography of America’s first treasury secretary, Alexander Hamil ... Show More
42m 30s
Jun 24
đŸ„€Dr Pepper: The Mystery & Magic of America’s #2 Soda | 37
Born in a sweltering Texas drugstore in 1885 - this indescribable, 23 (secret) ingredient concoction broke the first rule of marketing: never sell something you can't explain. Behind this mystery brew was Charles Alderton, a flavor-obsessed pharmacist who sold his recipe and walk ... Show More
40m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
🍒 “Pop-Tart Problem” — Red dye’s food ban. JPMorgan’s overdraft idea. Job Referrals as-a-Service.
From Pop-Tarts to Peeps, Red #3 artificial food coloring is now banned
 40 years too late.JPMorgan just had its best quarter in 200 years
 so it’s time to kill the most hated fee in banking.There’s a hot new side-hustle that can make you $30k/year
 Job Referrals as a service.Plus ... Show More
22m 58s
Apr 18
BUSINESS NEWS: US Easter Spending Soars $23.6B - Tom Brady's Trading Card Vault - Katy Perry's Space Adventure
SUMMARYIn this week’s episode of Right About Now, host Ryan Alford dives into the top business stories for the week of April 18, 2025. He kicks things off with a reflection on Easter’s cultural and economic impact, noting that Americans are expected to spend a staggering $236 bil ... Show More
28m 58s
Feb 2025
Brian Wansink: Guess Who’s Conning to Dinner | 146
During the early 2000s Brian Wansink made his mark as a “food psychologist” with quirky studies backed by the USDA and Cornell. His research led to the 100-calorie snack pack, the side plate for dinner, and the idea that Elmo stickers led kids to eat healthier. But one tone-deaf ... Show More
46m 5s
Jan 2025
"Stop Eating This CRAP!" – Paul Saladino DEMOLISHES Modern Diets, Processed Foods & Big Food Lies | PBD Podcast | Ep. 539
Patrick Bet-David sits down with Dr. Paul Saladino, the Carnivore MD, for an EXPLOSIVE and SHOCKING discussion that uncovers the hidden dangers lurking in your diet, water, and everyday habits. Why are heart attacks skyrocketing? What’s REALLY behind the 2 PM energy crash? From t ... Show More
2h 5m
Feb 2025
Lenny & Larry’s Protein Snacks: Barry Turner
When Barry Turner co-founded Lenny & Larry’s, the idea of selling a protein-packed breakfast muffin was practically unheard of: it was the early 1990’s, and protein-fortified food was not yet a thing. But when Barry was sidelined from a promising gig as an American Gladiator, he ... Show More
1h 4m
Oct 2024
The Sweet Tooth of Social Media
Candy fans unite! This episode is for you. Grab your favorite flavor of Nerds or indulge in some controversial candy corn and tune in to hear Annie Belgrade, Senior Manager of Integrated Content Marketing at Ferrara Candy Company, talk about finding the sweet spot in your social ... Show More
35m 40s
Dec 2024
Mars Inc. (the chocolate story)
M&M’s, Snickers, Milky Way, Double Mint, Ben’s Rice, Pedigree, Whiskas, VCA, Banfield
 all the brands you know, owned by the company you know nothing about: Mars, Incorporated. And Mars itself is 100% owned and deeply intertwined with the Mars family, who are currently the second ... Show More
3h 50m
Oct 2024
Confectionology (CANDY) with Susan Benjamin
Licorice opinions! War chocolate! Candy corn origins, circus peanut secrets, the sourest sourballs, and your great aunt’s purse. Stay until the very end for the biggest shocked laugh I have ever had on this show. The incredibly charming author, journalist, candy historian, and Co ... Show More
1h 46m
Oct 2024
đŸ€“ “Revenge of the Clusters” — Nerds’ candy innovation. Reddit’s 42% surge. American consumer confidence?
This halloween the hot candy is Nerds Clusters
 It shows there’s a business case in gut instinct.Reddit surged 42% yesterday after announcing its 1st profit
 AI is breaking the language barrier. American Consumer Confidence rose to a 3-year high last month
 and it tells us about ... Show More
22m 57s
Jul 2024
828: Sweet Caroline, Spice Police, & Magic Birds
Susie is still laughing about Sarah's technique for scaring off bears, but turns out, Sarah isn't wrong. We hear about the problem bear she's about to encounter at camp. We discuss how men are animals at sporting events, but also how "sports anthems" are created. We find out why ... Show More
58m 11s