The Kool-Aid Kid and the Kool-Ade Jelly

Edwin Perkins first created the popular kids drinkPerkins then decided to design and create
known as Kool-Aid in Hastings Nebraska in 1921.envelopes for his new creation - Kool Ade.
Perkins was captivated with the study ofDue to the fact that he could easily ship many
chemistry and enjoyed devising innovative andenvelopes as opposed to the drink mix bottles he
astonishing things. As a youngster Perkins wouldexperienced a drastic drop in shipping costs. The
experiment endlessly with various home madecost of Perkins Kool-Aid packet was one dime. It
brews which he concocted within his mother'swas produced in cherry, strawberry, grape,
kitchen. These youthful adventures prepared himlemon-lime, raspberry and orange. It was in 1929
for his future role in the area of drink mixes.that Kool-Aid started being distributed nation-wide.
Since he experimented with various flavoringIn 1931 Kool Ade was so popular that Perkins
extracts you could say he was the first kitchendecided to drop the manufacture of all his other
chemist.products and concentrate only upon Kool-Aid. He
Prior to the name of Kool-Aid becoming popular itquickly relocated his business to Chicago to make
was simply known as Fruit Smack; however Fruitfor a better distribution system. During the
Smack was sold strictly by mail order in 1920.America Depression, Perkins reduced the price of
Edwin at some later date re-named his drink tohis product in half.
Kool-Ade and finally to its present form asPerkins did well during the war and expanded his
Kool-Aid in 1927.production where he hired an additional 300
Edwin's father started a store in the town whereworkers. He sadly announced in 1953 that he was
he became familiar with new and different foodsselling Kool-Ade to General Foods. That year
such as Jell-O. At the age of eleven he order byGeneral Foods introduced a completely new
mail a mixer's guide which he saw advertisedcampaign for selling Kool-Ade and launched the
within a magazine. After he completed his highSmiling Face Pitcher which remains their
school he published a newspaper, completedtrademark to this day.
various printing assignments, served as aAlthough Perkins died in 1961 Kool-Aid will remain a
postmaster and finally created a mail ordervaluable part of our childhood. I would now like to
company known as Perkins Products. Thisprovide you with a recipe for Kool-Ade Jelly. I
business marketed the many products which hehope you enjoy it.
invented.1 package of any flavor sugar free Kool-Aid
He married a school friend in 1918 named Kitty1 package of Sure-Jell
and continued his business by mail order. One of3 cups of granulated sugar
his most successful products was his drink mix3 cups of water
called Fruit Smack. This concentrated mix came inBegin by mixing the water, the package of
six different flavors. It was shipped in a 4 ounceSure-Jell and the Kool-Aid together. Bring this
size bottle however it made enough juice for amixture to a boil being sure to stir it constantly.
complete family to enjoy. Although he sold themAdd the sugar and stir again. Continue stirring and
at a reasonable price the shipping involved in thebring the mixture to a complete rolling boil. Boil for
product was costly as well as the bottles breakingan additional minute and continue to stir constantly.
during shipment presented a problem. With theseAt this time remove it from the heat. Quickly
continual problems in 1927 he created a way toskim any foam off the mixture with a metal
remove the liquid from his Fruit Smack drinks sospoon. Pour carefully into small jelly jars and seal
that he could package the powder in envelopes.them.