Jul 1st 2026

The Secret is on the Tummy: Why Our Gummi Bears Are Named the World’s Best

The Secret is on the Tummy: Why Our Gummi Bears Are Named the World’s Best

Jul 1st 2026

The Gummi with the “A” on the Tummy®  

Let’s be real for a second—not all gummi bears are created equal. We’ve all been there: you reach for a handful, expecting that perfect, softer chew, and instead, you get something… well, not that. 

But then, you try an Albanese World’s Best® Gummi Bear, and suddenly, everything clicks. You’re hit with that burst of bold fruity flavor and the softest chew on the planet. But before you even take that first bite, there’s a little secret to making sure you’ve got the real deal in your hand. Just look for the "A" on the tummy ®! That little mark is how you know you have the World’s Best in your hands. If it doesn’t have the "A," it’s just another bear. If it does, you’ve got what our fans call the World’s Best. 

It Started With a Dream (And a Whole Lot of Heart) ❤️ 

Our story starts in the Midwest with a family, a dream, and a whole lot of heart. Since 1983, Albanese Confectionery has been a true labor of love, built right here on the foundation of family values, quality, and innovation. We’ve never been about following the crowd or taking the easy road. Instead, we’ve always been about doing things differently—pushing boundaries and obsessing over every detail to make sure we’re delivering the World’s Best.  

We didn't just want to make candy; we wanted to raise the bar for what confectionery and gummi candy could actually be. 

Back in the 90s, our founder, Scott Albanese, went on a mission to create a gummi bear that finally got it right. At the time, most gummies were just… well, kind of tough and flavorless. We knew candy lovers deserved way better than that. 

It took years of recipe testing, a bit of kitchen magic, and an absolute obsession with quality, but in 1998, through formulation and new technology, Albanese became the first and only confection company to achieve the impossible—a massive breakthrough in gelatin flavor release. Candy lovers, rejoice: this is officially the highest quality, best-tasting gummi in the world, with the unmatched flavor, texture, and freshness. 

Why the "A"? Because we want you to know exactly what you’re getting. Since 1998, we’ve made sure every single bear has our signature 'A' molded right onto its tummy. It’s our little way of promising that you’re holding the World’s Best—fresh from our family to yours. Next time you grab a handful, take a quick peek—if you see that 'A,' you know you’ve got the real deal in your hand. 

We’ve stayed true to those roots for over four decades. Today, we’re a second-generation, women-owned business led by Scott’s three daughters. We’re a team that all share the same belief: when you put your heart into what you do, it shows in every single bite. 

Innovation is Our Love Language 

You might wonder, how do you keep making the World’s Best gummi bear better? The answer is simple: our people. We have a "love people" culture that is honestly the coolest part of our factory. We encourage our team to think big, experiment, and get creative. 

Because we listen to our people (and our amazing fans!), we’re constantly pushing the boundaries of flavor and texture. Whether it was perfecting our signature 12 Flavor lineup—which was an industry game-changer—or introducing our True to Fruit™ gummies made with other natural flavors and colors from real fruit juice, vegetable juice, and superfoods, innovation is how we stay fresh. We don’t just make candy; we obsess over quality, texture, flavors, and our fans! 

The "World’s Best" Difference: Why We’re Your Snack Bestie 

So, why do our fans call our bears the World’s Best? It comes down to a few non-negotiable promises: 

  • The Flavor Pop: Our secret is a proprietary flavor-release technology that packs every bear with incredible intensity. When you eat our Cherry bear, you aren’t just eating a “red-colored” candy—you’re getting that bright, unmistakable cherry zing. 
  • The Perfect Chew: That signature softness? That’s years of fine-tuning our process. We’ve mastered the chemistry of the perfect gummi, making sure every bear is consistent, soft, and never tough. 
  • Freshness You Can Taste: Great gummi bears start with a great process. We personally oversee every batch, verifying our signature texture and flavor are spot-on before anything leaves our facility. By managing the trip from our factory floor to your front door, we ensure you always receive the quality we’re proud to put our name on. 

We’re Just Getting Started 

Looking back at our journey since 1983, it’s wild to see how far we’ve come. From our humble beginnings to becoming a staple in pantries (and cup holders, and desk drawers) across the country, we’re still that same family-driven, innovation-obsessed crew. 

We love being part of your life’s best moments—the road trips, the movie nights, the pool days, and the "just because" snacks. Thank you for being part of the Albanese World’s Best® family and for choosing to snack with the best. 

Ready to get your fix? Shop the World’s Best collection here and look for the "A" on the tummy—that’s how you know you’ve got the best!  

What’s your favorite flavor in our 12 Flavor lineup? Let us know in the comments or tag us on IG @AlbaneseCandy showing off your favorite flavor!—we love hearing from you!