Sweet Memories (UK) Quiz | Food & Drink

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This product was a type of sherbet. It consisted of either plain or rainbow coloured granulated crystals, served in a triangular paper bag. The best way to eat it was by licking a finger and dipping it in. What was it called in the North of England?

Answer: Kali

'Kali' could also be eaten by dipping in sticks of liquorice. The best way to eat it was to lick your finger and dip it in, and the finger ended up stained a yellow colour!

The origin of the word 'Kali' is not known, perhaps it originates from the bushy plant of the same name, which had prickly leaves, the leaves were burned to produce soda ash.

Another popular British sherbet based confection of my childhood years, in the 1960s, were, 'Sherbet Fountains'. These were yellow yellow cardboard tubes filled with sherbet, with a stick of liquorice poking out of the end.

These were initially produced by Barratt's, a company founded in 1848 by George Osborne Barratt.

2. 'Lovehearts' contained phrases such as 'I Love You' and 'Be Mine'. These were first produced in London in 1933 by Swizzels Ltd. What was the original name for Lovehearts?

Answer: Cach-O's

Alfred and Maurice Matlow, started the company Matlow Bros Ltd in 1928. In 1933 they joined forces with David Dee and formed Swizzels Ltd, making 'fizzy' sweets, including 'Refreshers' and 'Parma Violets'.

In 1975 the company became Swizzles Matlow Ltd.

A limited edtion pack of 'Lovehearts' was first produced in 1981 for the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana.

The messages on the 'Lovehearts' have been updated and now include, 'Text Me' and 'Email Me'.

3. 'Spangles' were first produced by Mars in 1950. These were square fruit flavoured boiled sweets. Which of the following wasn't a 'Spangles' flavour?

Answer: Banana

'Spangles' were discontinued in the 1980's. They were reintroduced in 1995 for a short time. They are no longer available.

The sweets, which later became individually wrapped, contained one wrapper with a question mark on, which was a 'mystery' flavour.

Mars also produced 'Old English Spangles'. These included flavours such as 'Cough Candy' and 'Butterscotch'. These sweets had striped wrappers.

4. What flavour were Barratt's 'Fruit Salad' chews?

Answer: Raspberry and pineapple

Barratt's also made 'Black Jacks', an aniseed flavoured chew, which were often sold mixed with 'Fruit Salad' chews at my local shop.

Barratt's were taken over by the confectionary company Bassett's in 1966. Bassett's later became Trebor Bassett and was purchased by Cadbury in 1989.

5. 'Jelly Babies' were first produced in Sheffield by Bassett in 1918, to celebrate the end of World War 1, and were originally called 'Peace Babies'.

Answer: True

Each colour Jelly Baby has its own name. 'Baby Brilliant'- strawberry flavour, 'Baby Bubbles' - lemon flavour, 'Baby Boofuls' - lime flavour, 'Baby Big-Heart' - Blackcurrant flavour, 'Baby Bumper' - orange flavour and 'Baby Bonny' - raspberry flavour.

Over 3 million 'Jelly Babies' are eaten each week!

6. These minty favourites were first produced by Rowntree in 1948. They are famous for the 'hole' in the middle. What are they?

Answer: Polo mints

When 'Polo' Mints were first produced they cost 2d per pack and contained 16 mints. Each pack now contains 23 mints. 20 Million 'Polo' mints are produced every day.

The firm Rowntree's was founded by Henry Issac Rowntree in 1862, in 1969 it became Rowntree Mackintosh, following a merger with the confectioners Mackintosh.

In 1988, the Swiss food group, Nestl� purchased Rowntree Mackintosh. The brand name of Rowntree now only appears on the 'Fruit Pastilles' and 'Fruit Gums'.

7. These sweets are perhaps best known in the North of England, as they were first produced in Cleckheaton, West Yorskhire, by the Lion Confectionary Company in 1903. They were small flavoured hard gums, the 'smallness' being reflected in their name. What are they?

Answer: Lion's Midget Gems

There are many firms who manufacture 'Midget Gems', but none are quite as good as Lion's. Many supermarkets, for example, Tesco, Sainsburys and Marks & Spencer, have their own brands of this popular sweet.

8. The name for these sweets came about purely by accident in 1899, when a salesman called Charlie Thompson was showing samples of them to a prospective purchaser and knocked the tray on the floor mixing the selection up. An example of these sweets are circular ones with coconut and they are either yellow or pink. What are they?

Answer: Liquorice Allsorts

'Bertie Bassett', the mascot for 'Liquorice Allsorts', was created in 1929. He is made up of a mixture of the sweets.

In February 2009, Cadbury introduced a new product, 'Red Liquorice Allsorts', and a new 'Allsorts' mascot called 'Betty Bassett'. 'Bertie' and 'Betty', were married at the Bassett's factory in Sheffield on 12th February 2009, which was also 'Bertie's' 80th birthday. The sixty workers at the factory were given the day off to attend the wedding.

9. These tiny liquorice and menthol sweets were first produced in 1923 by Ernest Jackson & co Ltd of Devon. They came in a small tin and were intended to clear the throat. By what brand name are they known?

Answer: Mighty Imps

Ernest Jackson & Co Ltd are the makers of medicated pastilles and lozengers. They also make 'Victory V' Lozengers, 'Zubes' and 'Throaties'.

This company is now part of Cadbury plc and they manufacture products under the 'Halls' brand name.

'Mighty Imps', although tiny, were very strong and as a child it was difficult to eat more than one at once!

10. These sweets, manufactured by Squirrel Horn Confectionary, were tiny, 'flower' flavoured sweets, which came in a variety of colours, including red, yellow and clear, could easily be eaten by the handful! What are they?

Answer: Floral Gums

The company Squirrel Horn, was formed in Stockport, England in the early twentieth century. They also produced 'Dolly Mixtures' and 'Toffees'. They now only make 'Floral Gums' and 'Cherry Lips'.

'Floral Gums' are not suitable for vegetarians, as they contain Gelatin.

Source: Author demurechicky

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Sweet Memories (UK) Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge on some of my favourite British sweets from my childhood in the 1960s. Good luck!

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