The sweet-shop guide
A quarter of something sweet, please!
Retro favourites, the perfect pick 'n' mix, homemade honeycomb and the practical bits — allergens, labels, vegan and sugar-free sweets. Everything you ever wanted to know about British sweets.
Pick 'n' mix builder
The guides
From the top shelf
A guide to retro sweets
Black Jacks, Fruit Salads, flying saucers and cola cubes: the classic British sweets we still love.
Pick 'n' mixThe perfect pick 'n' mix
How to build a balanced bag: textures, flavours, colours — and the etiquette of the scoop.
Good to knowAllergens & labels on sweets
The 14 allergens, loose pick 'n' mix, colour warnings and "may contain": how UK sweet labelling works.
Good to knowSugar-free sweets
Sweeteners, polyols and the "laxative effects" warning: what to know before you buy sugar-free.
DietsVegan & halal sweets
Gelatine, carmine, shellac and beeswax: the hidden animal ingredients in sweets, and what to look for instead.
RecipesMake sweets at home
Fudge, honeycomb and coconut ice: three classic sweet-shop treats to make in your own kitchen.
Good to knowSweets and your teeth
It is not just how much sugar — it is how often. Simple ways to enjoy sweets and look after your teeth.
HistoryFrom chewing gum to fruit machines
Why do fruit machines show cherries, lemons and "BAR"? The answer, the story goes, is chewing gum.
Party planner
How many sweets for a sweet table?
Enter your guests and we'll suggest how much pick 'n' mix to buy — a common rule of thumb is around 100 g per child and 150 g per adult.
Grown-ups' corner
Why fruit machines have fruit on them
Cherries, lemons, plums and "BAR": those classic fruit-machine symbols are said to come from chewing gum flavours, paid out by early machines to get around gambling bans. Read the sweet history. For today's industry, see igaming news, and for a modern online casino, Trixino.
18+ only. Gamble responsibly. Free support: BeGambleAware.org
Sweet questions
FAQ
How much is a "quarter" of sweets?
A quarter of a pound — about 113 grams. It is still how many people order sweets from a jar.
How many sweets do I need for a party sweet table?
Plan on roughly 100–150 g per guest, a little more if sweets are the main treat. Try our party planner.
Are gummy sweets vegetarian?
Many are not, because they contain gelatine. Look for sweets made with pectin, starch or agar, and check for a vegetarian or vegan logo.
Why do fruit machines have fruit on them?
The story goes that early machines paid out fruit-flavoured chewing gum, and the symbols showed the flavours. Read our history article.
Do you sell sweets?
No. Candy Jacks is an independent guide. We do not sell sweets.