The 90s were a great decade, and many great things that we know and love today are from this era...What’s your favourite thing to come out of the 1990s?
Is it the first generation of poptastic boy bands and girl bands whose chart topping hits had everyone on the school disco dance floor? Perhaps it's the advent of the World Wide Web - a pretty big invention that has changed our way of life forever? Or maybe you’re a cinema fan and love films of the 1990s, such as Titanic, Jurassic Park or Groundhog Day.
For us, it probably goes without saying that our favourite thing to come out of the 1990s was the rise of delectable sweets, chocolates and confectionery. You may not realise it, the 1990s was the decade where some of our favourite retro sweets peaked in popularity here in the UK.
The list of sweets from the 90s is so long, but we've trued to fit them all in so that you can remember the good old days.
At the Sweet Hamper Company, we know our way around sweets and candy - and we’ve been reminiscing about some of our favourite flavours and tastes from our childhood.
In this blog post we’ll take a closer look at 90s retro sweets and collate our favourite sweet treats from this decade that we think you'll love, whether you are reminiscing on old memories or want to try the sweets you always hear everyone talking about.
Sherbet Straws
Also known as sherbet fountains, a sherbet straw will take you down memory lane. Whether it was just the straw filled with fruity sherbet, or the Barratts sherbet fountain that came with a stick of black liquorice, these iconic sweets were a popular sweet throughout the 90's.
With many leading retailer selling these sweets, you'd have seen these sweets on the school playground, giving unruly kids their sugar rush.
Ring Pops
Continuing to be popular today, ring pops we an iconic sweet of this decade. Ring Pops are designed to be worn like a ring, with a large, jewel-shaped candy mounted on a plastic ring base.
Children sometimes used Ring Pops in mock proposals as a fun and innocent way to mimic adult behaviour and weddings.
This design makes them both a wearable accessory and a tasty treat. The packaging usually consists of a colourful wrapper that showcases the flavour and ring design.
Push Pops
Push Pops are another nostalgic 90s sweet that many people remember fondly. Push Pops come in a variety of fruity flavours, including cherry, strawberry, watermelon, blue raspberry, and many others. The vibrant colours and intense flavours are part of the candy's appeal.
In some schools, Push Pops were banned when some kids were giving dead arms with the sweet!
Freddo Chocolate Bar
Although originally hitting shelves in the 1970s, Freddo bars were discontinued in 1979. However, in 1994 Freddos returned to sweet shops and supermarkets. Priced at only 10p each, these chocolate treats were a favourite with school children, and they still are today!
In fact, you’ll find the classic Freddo bar in some of our 1990s themed sweet hampers and chocolate bouquets.
Bubbaloo
Originally launched in Latin America in the 1980s, by the 1990s these juice filled bubblegums had made their way to the UK. Often found in pick n mix selections, and some of the brand’s stop flavours include, Strawberry, Cherry, Cola, Green Apple and Tutti Frutti.
Millions
These teeny tiny balls certainly pack a punch in the flavour department. Invented in 1990, these retro sweets are 100% a child of the 1990s. Millions sweets became instantly popular as a result of their delectable taste and chewy texture. Today, they’re available in a range of nine different flavours including strawberry, bubblegum and Cola - and many of their flavours and ingredients are also suitable for vegetarians! As a result, you’ll find Millions not only in our 1990s retro sweet hampers, but also our vegetarian range too.
Flumps
These pastel pink and yellow twists are soft, squidgy, light and oh so tasty. Reportedly one of the UK’s favourite sweets, it's no surprise that Flumps remain as popular today as they did back in the 1990s. Another classic you’ll find in our 1990s retro sweet range.
Nerds
Although Nerds became available in the late 1980s, they got seriously popular in the UK throughout the 1990s. An import from across the pond, these tiny, sour, tangy balls are brightly coloured and sure tasty. Plus they’re instantly recognisable thanks to their eye-catching box and ‘Nerd’ characters.
Strawberry Refresher Bars
Yes, the classic refresher chew bar now also comes in strawberry flavour. This sherbet filled chew bar is an all time classic (not just from the 90s!) but has been revisited and revamped including this exciting new flavour.
We have of course tried this new bar (and love it). You can find it in a number of our sweet hampers we love it so much.
Toxic Waste - Sour Sweets
This super sour candy became popular in the late 90s, with everyone unable to resist the temptation of these sour sweets.
The candy is famously packaged in small, colourful plastic barrels that resemble toxic waste sweet containers, complete with hazard symbols and bright, eye-catching colours. The packaging adds to the novelty and appeal, especially among children and those adults looking for a daring candy experience.
If you’re looking for nostalgic flavours you’ve come to the right place. Our retro sweet range offers goodies from the 1990s, 1980s and 1970s, so you’re sure to find a taste of the past in our sweet hampers, chocolate bouquets, sweet boxes and other retro sweet products. Check out our full range of retro sweets here.