Midget Gems facts for kids
Midget Gems are super chewy and firm sweets, a bit like wine gums but much harder to bite into! They are made from sugar, glucose syrup (a type of sweet liquid), corn starch, a little bit of gelatin (which makes them chewy), and different colours and flavourings.
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Midget Gems: A Chewy Treat
Midget Gems have been a favourite sweet for many years, especially in the North of England. They were one of the most popular products made by The Lion Confectionery Company.
A Sweet History
In 1995, Lion Confectionery teamed up with Cadbury Trebor Bassett's brand, Maynard's. This partnership helped sell Midget Gems all across the country. When the sweets were rebranded under Maynard's, something interesting happened to the black Midget Gems.
Flavours and Changes
Originally, the black Midget Gems had a liquorice flavour. However, when they started selling them in bags, the black ones were changed to blackcurrant flavour. But if you bought them loose from jars or boxes, the black Midget Gems still tasted like liquorice! This gave people a choice depending on how they bought their sweets.
Where Can You Find Them?
One big reason Midget Gems became so popular was how they were sold. Often, you could buy them loose from a big jar or barrel. This made them quite inexpensive, which helped lots of people enjoy them.
Many other companies also make their own versions of Midget Gems. For example, Glisten Confectionery sells them under their Victoria brand. In 2007, Glisten announced they were removing all artificial colours and flavours from their sweets, making them a bit more natural. You can also find Midget Gems made by big supermarkets like Asda, Tesco, Marks and Spencers, and Sainsbury's.
Why Are They So Popular?
Midget Gems are so well-loved that they often appear on lists of "Favourite sweets." Even Liverpool Football Club once sold their own special tubs of Midget Gems! Today, you can find Midget Gems in many different colours and flavours, giving everyone lots of choices when they pick out their favourite chewy treat.
