Difference between Jimmies and Sprinkles
Jimmies and sprinkles are tiny, colorful pieces of candy that are used to add texture and liven up desserts.
What are Jimmies?
The only proven fact about the origin of jimmies is that they already existed in the 1930s. No one really knows where the name came from but some say that it came from Boston Mayor James Curley, who was very fond of confection, while others say that it came from an employee named Jim Crow, who ran the sprinkles machine in a Philadelphia plant that produced these candies.
Some people think of jimmies as the chocolate colored sprinkles while others say that they are softer than sprinkles.
What are Sprinkles?
Sprinkles are tiny sphere candies that come in many different colors. They started in the 18th century as decorations for desserts, which is still what they are used for today. However, there are different variations as to how they are used. For example, they are used as bread toppings in Australia and New Zealand.
It is generally believed that there is no real difference between jimmies and sprinkles except in what they are called. Jimmies are used by people from Philadelphia, Boston, Michigan and Wisconsin to refer to sprinkles while the rest of the world uses the word ‘sprinkles’ itself.
In summary:
- Sprinkles already existed in the 18th century while jimmies were only found out in the 1930s
- Some people think of jimmies as the chocolate colored sprinkles while others say that they are softer than sprinkles
- There is no real difference between jimmies and sprinkles except in what they are called