Dating back as far as prehistoric times, where they would enjoy the sweet taste of honey, us Brits have always had a love of delicious sweets and chocolates.
In the UK, we boast a whole range of amazing sweets, and British chocolate bars are by far some of the best in the world and some of the UK's favourite sweet creations were created as early as the 19th century (and we still enjoy many of these Victorian Sweets now!). From Gummy candies to chewy candies, us Brits have a whole range of sweet treats.
A whole range of classic British sweets is included in our Classic British Sweet Bouquet - the perfect gift for anyone who loves traditional sweets!
We may be bias, but we believe that the British Candy market has some of the best sweets and chocolates - so we thought we'd share some of our favourite traditional British sweets that have been enjoyed in this country for a very long time!
Sherbet Lemons
Sherbet Lemons, also known as Lemon Drops, are a fan favourite amongst the British Public. The zest of lemon combined with the fizz of sherbet creates a treat that is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth and never fails to hit the spot!
Lemon candies were originally used for medicinal purposes such as a cough candy, but have been enjoyed as sweets for over a century.
Rhubarb & Custard
The iconic duo of Rhubarb and Custard has been a stable in the British sweet industry for many generations. With its vibrant colours and comforting taste, Rhubarb & Custard sweets evoke a sense of nostalgia with every bite.
Pear Drops
Sweet, with fruity flavors, and irresistibly moreish, Pear Drops are a beloved favourite among candy enthusiasts. Their distinct pear flavor and hard candy shell make them a popular choice for many people.
The Pear Drop was invented in the late 1800's and they have been a traditional British sweet that is enjoyed by many ever since.
Humbugs
These sweets have black and white stripes and a minty flavour. These sweets have a rich history as they have been around since the 1820s.
Humbugs are hard boiled and combine the perfect amount of sweet with mint - making them a favourite for centuries.
Wine Gums
These chewy and fruity soft sugar candies are beloved for their rich flavours and satisfying texture. Despite their name, (wine gums) these sweets contain no alcohol but offer a taste experience reminiscent of fine wines.
Fruit Pastilles
The fruit flavoured sugary goodness of Fruit Pastilles has been enjoyed since 1881 and they are still just as popular now! With citrus and berry flavours, this sweet treat is hard to resist!
Black Jacks
Black Jacks are an iconic aniseed flavoured chew and they have been a favourite with the British population for decades.
The Black Jack was the first stick candy produced in the 1920's by the Trebor Basset company.
Jelly Babies
Made as a mistake when trying to create Jelly Bears, Jelly Babies are a treat enjoyed by children and adults alike - who doesn't enjoy a Jelly Baby?!
Created in Lancashire in 1864, these sweets were originally marketed as 'unclaimed babies' - this was later changed to 'peace babies' after World War two and then 'Jelly Babies' - which is what they are widely known as today.
Flying Saucers
The now infamous flying saucer shot to popularity in the UK came about in the 1960's when the Space Race competition was popular. To this day, these sweets have remained a staple British sweet and are enjoyed by many.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate
1905 in Birmingham was were one of the UK's most popular chocolates was created and 1914 it was the companies most popular selling chocolate and is an incredibly famous sweet released.
What set the Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bar apart from the rest was the higher proportion of milk in it compared to other bars.
Starburst
In the UK, this fruity sweet was introduced in 1960 and was originally known as 'opal fruits'. This bag of sweets had for fruit flavours and is one of the many classic sweets in the UK as it's got four flavours packed into one irresistible package.
Terry's Chocolate Orange
The birth place of one of the most famous fruity flavour of chocolate, is York in 1932 and it was immediately loved by the British public and has become one of the most iconic sweets to this day.