Spangles

Launched in 1948 in Britain as “assorted crystal fruits”, nothing on earth (and probably in space) ever tasted as weird.

Despite the slightly unfortunate advertising slogan, “The sweet way to go gay!” Spangles were always a favourite, partly because they only needed one ration token rather than two (sweet rationing was finally lifted in the UK in 1953).

The regular Spangles packet contained a variety of translucent, fruit-flavoured sweets: strawberry, blackcurrant, orange, pineapple, lemon and lime and cola.

Many different, single flavour varieties were introduced including Acid Drop, Barley Sugar, Blackcurrant, Liquorice, Peppermint, Spearmint, Fizzy Cola and Tangerine. Mint Spangles were also produced – “Spangles gives you three kinds of mint to choose from” – in Soft Centre Ice Mints, Golden Mint and Peppermint.

“Old English” Spangles were also produced at one point featuring sweets with “traditional” flavours, including liquorice, mint humbug, pear drop, aniseed and treacle.

Spangles were discontinued in 1984, although they were briefly reintroduced in 1995. In 2008, Spangles topped a poll of discontinued brands which British consumers would most like to see revived.

“Suck a Spangle, be happy”