Introduction
Today, we all know and love gummy candies. From gummy bears to cola bottles to gummy worms, there are so many varieties that it’s hard to pick a favourite.
But, where did this iconic type of candy come from? Let’s check out the delicious evolution of gummy candies and some sweet facts!
The Sweet History of Gummy Candy
Humans have seemingly always had a sweet tooth. Even in ancient civilzations, people found ways to create their own sweet treats.
The Ancient Egyptians combined fruits with honey, while in other regions, such as Ancient India, sugarcane juice was boiled down to create a kind of candy.
Candy innovation and production has come a long way since ancient times. Gummy candies remain one of the most beloved types, offering endless shapes, flavours, and textures for every kind of candy lover.
The Gummy Bear: Where it All Began
One of the original gummy candy innovations, the gummy bear was first produced by Haribo in the 1920’s. The small, playful bear shape was designed to appeal to children, and its popularity quickly grew. These iconic bears come in five core flavours: lemon, strawberry, orange, raspberry and pineapple. If you’re looking for even more flavours, try some like Mango or Pink Grapefruit!
The gummy bear may have had humble beginnings, but its success truly took off in the 1900’s and are now available in over 100 countries. There’s plenty of ways to enjoy these delicious gummy candies, from convenient on-the-go packages or larger sizes made for sharing with all your friends.
Expanding the Gummy Kingdom: Animals and More!
As candy manufacturing capabilities became advanced in North America and Europe throughout the 20th century, the world of gummy candy expanded with new shapes, sizes, and flavours.
Using custom molds, confectionary producers grew their lineups from bears to include rings, fruits, and more. Let’s explore a few fan favourites!
Gummy Worms
There’s nothing better than a wriggly, chewy gummy worm! Gummy worms are known to be a candy staple today, but they actually weren’t introduced to American audiences until the 1980’s.
These chewy worms taste delicious on their own, and they’re also great when incorporated into fun desserts like Gummy Worms and Dirt.
Gummy Rings
Gummy peach rings might be the most well-known, but nowadays gummy rings come in many flavours. New favourites includes green apple, blue raspberry, and even watermelon.
Gummy rings don’t just have to be sweet either–they can be deliciously sour, too!
If you’re looking to get creative with candy, try stacking gummy rings to see how many you can balance before they fall over.
Wine Gums
Popular in the UK and Canada, you can’t go wrong with Wine Gums.
With a variety of flavours and shapes, these candies are truly a Canadian classic. They make the perfect gift for any wine connoisseur, but don’t worry, these candies are alcohol-free!
Ju Jubes
A traditional Canadian classic–the Ju Jube! While some may argue they’re not technically a gummy, their chewy texture and flavours make them one of Canada’s all-time favourite candies.
Ju Jubes come in a variety of fruity flavours, like orange, lime and lemon.
Juice Berries
Bursting with berry flavour, Juice Berries are shaped like tasty raspberries and blackberries. They’re soft, chewy and perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Gummy Fruit Slices
Featuring vibrant colours and a light dusting of sweet sugar, Gummy Fruit Slices are a candy worth trying. With cherry, lemon, orange, grape and lime flavours, they just might become your new favourite.
Gummy Candy Innovations
Gummy Mixes
Can’t decide which kind of gummy is best? Try a mix!
Our Soft & Chewy Mix features a unique assortment of gummy candies to help satisfy all your cravings. Or, if you’re a sour candy lover, try our Sweet & Sour Mix, full of all that sweet and sour goodness
Candies for Any Dietary Requirement
One of the most exciting innovations in the gummy candy world is the expansion of options for any dietary requirement. You can even find gummy candies with No Sugar Added, allowing you to enjoy all the sweetness with less sugar.
You’d be surprised what gummy candies are Gluten Free, Halal or Kosher–the options are endless.
Pick & Mix
We all have a favourite gummy candy. Always wish you could find a bag with only the best? With Cottage Country, it’s easy to create your own!
Our Pick & Mix selection lets you choose some of our most popular candies for your own custom candy bag creation–it doesn’t get better than that!
Savour The Sweetness of Gummy Candies!
For gummy candy lovers, there’s always something new to enjoy. From seasonal favourites to everyday classics, find all the best gummy candies at Cottage Country.
For when you’re on the go, you can find your favourite Cottage Country gummy candies at over 10,000+ retail stores across Canada. You’re never far from the perfect snack!
