Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles facts for kids
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| Owner | Nestlé |
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| Introduced | 1881 |
| Previous owners | Rowntree's |
Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles are small, round, and super chewy sweets. They are about 1.5 centimeters (or 0.6 inches) wide and have a soft, jelly-like texture. Each pastille is covered in sugar, making them extra tasty!
These sweets are made with real fruit juice and don't have any artificial colors or flavors. You can find them in five yummy flavors: yellow lemon, green lime, red strawberry, purple blackcurrant, and orange orange. While they are called Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles in the UK, they have different names in other countries, like Wonka Fruit Pastilles in Australia and Frutips in Canada and parts of Asia.
Contents
A Sweet History: How Fruit Pastilles Began
Fruit Pastilles first appeared in 1881 in a place called Tyneside, England. They were created at the Rowntree's factory there, and guess what? They are still made in the same area today!
When Rowntree's introduced Fruit Pastilles, they quickly became a huge hit. People loved them so much that by 1887, these sweets made up about a quarter of all the candy the company produced!
Making Fruit Pastilles for Everyone
For many years, fans of Fruit Pastilles asked for a version that people who follow a vegan diet could enjoy. Vegans do not eat any animal products. In September 2020, Nestlé, the company that owns Rowntree's, announced exciting news: they would change the recipe to make Fruit Pastilles suitable for vegans! This means even more people can now enjoy these fruity treats.
What's Inside the Wrapper?
Fruit Pastilles usually come in tubes wrapped in a special paper. This paper has foil on the inside to keep the pastilles fresh and a colorful paper wrapper on the outside. The wrapper is green and has "Fruit Pastilles" written in big letters. Below the name, you'll see pictures of different fruits, showing you the flavors inside. The "Rowntree's" brand name is at the top.
You can buy Fruit Pastilles in small packs that weigh about 52.5 grams (with 14 pastilles inside) or in larger bags that weigh around 180 grams. They also come in boxes and big round cardboard tubes, perfect for sharing!
Fun Ways Fruit Pastilles Are Advertised
Over the years, Fruit Pastilles have had some memorable advertisements. These ads often focus on the idea that you "can't help but chew" them because they are so delicious and chewy!
Classic Commercials
Back in 1972, a TV ad for Fruit Pastilles used a catchy song called "Pistol Packin' Mama," changing the words to "Pastille Pickin' Mama, pass those pastilles round." It was a fun way to get people to think about sharing the sweets.
More recently, some older commercials have been brought back. One popular ad from the 1980s shows a child daring a basketball player not to chew a pastille. The player tries really hard, but in the end, they just can't resist! This ad still uses the famous slogan, "You can't help but chew!"
Modern Marketing Fun
Rowntree's has also done special events to show that Fruit Pastilles contain 25% fruit juice. They held "What Can You Do But Chew?" talent shows at family events and grocery stores. This was part of their sponsorship of the TV show Britain's Got Talent.
During these events, they gave out lots of free samples and talked to parents about the fruit juice in the pastilles. Many people who tried them said they felt better about the brand and were more likely to buy Fruit Pastilles afterward. It was a great way to connect with families and share the fruity goodness!
Discover More Sweet Treats
- Joseph Rowntree (philanthropist)
- List of confectionery brands
- Rowntree's
