New research has revealed the nation’s favourite sweets of all time, with Jelly Babies (65 percent) taking the top spot…
Invented 160 years ago in 1864, confectionery historians believe the earliest Jelly Baby was the work of an Austrian confectioner who worked for Fryers of Lancashire. It is thought he was asked to make a mould for Jelly Bears, but the resulting sweets looked more like newborn infants and were subsequently named thus so. They were relaunched as “Peace Babies” after the First World War by Bassett’s Sweets in Sheffield, the brand which continues to make them to this day.
Following close behind the babies on the list of favourite goodies were Rowntrees’ Fruit Pastilles (62 percent), and in third place, Fruit Gums, which are also made by Rowntree’s. The research from Perspectus Global found as many as two-thirds (65 percent) of Britons of all ages agree many of the old classics are back in fashion.
Other retro classics which made the poll were old-school cola bottles (59 percent) and Werther’s Originals (59 percent). Also chosen by Brits in need of a sugar rush were Skittles (58 percent), Tangfastics (57 percent), Liquorice Allsorts (57 percent) and the classic Rhubarb and Custard (56 percent).
Childhood favourites like Jelly Tots (56 percent), Love Hearts (54 percent) and Pear Drops (53 percent) are also enjoyed by Brits with a sweet tooth. So, it’s no surprise that a third of the 2,000 Britons polled admit they love eating sweets as it transports them back to their childhood.
In fact, 27 percent are thrilled that sweets from when they were young are now back in the shops. The nation’s most famous sweet-seller is of course Rita in Coronation Street who has been overseeing everything from wine gums to mint imperials since May 1973; and still does so regularly in the thrice-weekly Weatherfield saga. Although it seems Rita herself is more partial to a nice box of chocolates.
Jonathan Horsley of Perspectus Global:
“Sweets are one of life’s simple pleasures. You can see how they provoke feelings of nostalgia, as childhood classics like Jelly Babies, Fruit Pastilles, Pear Drops and Dolly Mix made the list of best loved sweets.”
The research also reveals that on average, Brits chew on an average of 19 sweets a week, with 78 percent saying there’s something magical about enjoying the same sweets you ate as a child. 77 percent admit they would choose a bag of their favourite sweets over pudding every time, while 70 percent prefer sweets to chocolate.
Top 30 Favourite UK Sweets
- Jelly Babies 65%
- Fruit Pastilles 62%
- Wine Gums 60%
- Cola Bottles 59%
- Werther’s Originals 59%
- Skittles 58%
- Starburst 57%
- Liquorice Allsorts 57%
- Tangfastics 57%
- Rhubarb and custards 56%
- Jelly Tots 56%
- Fruit Gums 55%
- Love Hearts 54%
- Dolly Mix 53%
- Lemon Sherberts 53%
- Pear Drops 53%
- Turkish Delight 52%
- Maoam Stripes 52%
- Kola cubes 52%
- Daim bars (formerly Dime) 52%
- Black Jacks 52%
- Toffee Bonbons 52%
- Tunnocks Snowballs 51%
- Drumstick Squashies 51%
- Drumstick Lollies 51%
- Polos 50%
- Fruit-tella 50%
- Tic tacs 50%
- Flying saucers 49%
- Mentos 45%
