Wine gum facts for kids
An assortment of Bassett's wine gums.
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| Type | Confectionery |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Created by | Charles Gordon Maynard |
| Invented | 1909 |
| Main ingredients | Gelatine, sugar, citric acid, Fruit flavouring |
Wine gums are a popular type of chewy candy. They are firm and look a bit like jelly sweets. These tasty treats first came from the United Kingdom. Many different brands make wine gums. Each brand has its own special recipe. They use various sweeteners, flavors, and colors.
Wine gums are loved in many countries. You can find them in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, and other Commonwealth nations. They are also popular in several European countries. Some well-known brands include Maynards, Bassett's, and Lion.
These candies usually come in five different shapes. These shapes are kidney, crown, rhombus, circle, and oblong. They are often named after types of wine. For example, Maynards uses names like port, sherry, champagne, burgundy, and claret. Other companies might use names like rioja or merlot. Even though they have "wine" in their name, wine gums do not contain any alcohol. Many packages even say that the sweets "contain no wine" to make this clear.
Contents
The Story of Wine Gums
How Maynards Started
The story of wine gums begins with Charles Riley Maynard. He started his candy business in 1880. He made sweets in his kitchen in Stamford Hill, London. His brother Tom helped him, and his wife Sarah Ann sold the candies to customers. The business grew steadily over time. It officially became a company in 1896.
The Birth of Wine Gums
Maynards Wine Gums were first introduced in 1909. This was thanks to Charles Riley Maynard's son, Charles Gordon Maynard. It took Charles Gordon Maynard some time to convince his father about the new sweets. His father was a very strict Methodist and did not drink alcohol. He was worried that the sweets might contain wine. Charles Gordon Maynard finally showed his father that the candies had no wine in them. After that, his father agreed to sell them as a fun alternative to alcoholic drinks.
Popular Flavors and Colors
According to Cadbury, the most popular colors for wine gums are red and black. Red wine gums usually taste like red berries, strawberry, or raspberry in the United Kingdom. In the United States, red ones often taste like cherry. Black wine gums traditionally have a blackcurrant flavor. Sometimes, special editions of wine gums are made. For example, there have been limited editions with only dark-colored gums. In 2010, a special "fruit duos" edition was made. These gums had two different colors and flavors on each piece.
