When we think of sweets, a lot of our minds will go to the infamous brand Haribo. They are synonymous with making delicious sweets that are perfect for all occasions, from being the perfect party bag snack to just a casual treat. Haribo makes children happy (and adults too!).
Haribo is a sweet we all recognise, from their 'happy world of Haribo' slogan, to a bag of starmix, we've all come into contact with this company. Haribo rules the world of gummy sweets, but where did they come from? In this blog, we're going through the history of Haribo!
If you're looking for Haribo products, we stock a whole load in our online sweet shop.
Where Do Haribo Gummies Originate?
Haribo was founded by Hans Riegel Sr in 1920 and is a German company. The name is an acronym for the founder of the company, Hans Riegel, and Bonn, Germany, where it was founded, with the first two letters of each word. The Haribo dancing bear was the very first product they made.
Who Was Hans Riegel Sr.?
Hans Riegel Sr. was a German confectioner best known as the founder of Haribo, one of the world's greatest sweet brands. He began making sweets in a small kitchen, using basic tools and a sack of sugar. These were the foundations of what would become one of the largest sweet companies.
After he died in 1945, following the challenges of World War II, the business was taken over by his sons. Haribo expanded it internationally and cemented its place as a global brand, with Haribo Goldbears, Giant Strawbs, and many other creations on the shelf in every store and Haribo branches across the world.
The Creation of Gummy Bears and the ‘Dancing Bear’
In 1922, Hans Riegel had his first breakthrough with Haribo Sweets when he set out to create a new kind of sweet for his growing company. He was inspired by the trained bears that were popular attractions at fairs, and he developed a small, chewy, fruity gummy sweet that was shaped like a bear. It was originally known as the 'dancing bear'.
These early sweets were larger and slimmer than the gummy bears we recognise today, but they quickly gained popularity for their unique texture and playful design. Made using simple ingredients like sugar, flavourings, and gelatin, they stood out from traditional hard candies and became a new kind of “sweet treat” on the market.
As Haribo grew, the recipe and shape were refined, eventually leading to the launch of Haribo Goldbears in the 1960s. These smaller, softer, and more colourful bears became the standard for gummy sweets worldwide and helped cement Haribo’s reputation as a leader in fruit gum confectionery and played a huge part in Haribo's success around the world.
“Haribo Macht Kinder Froh”: The Famous Slogan
As well as some of the most recognisable sweets, Haribo also have one of the most recognisable slogans: “Haribo macht Kinder froh, und Erwachsene ebenso.”
Translated, this means 'Haribo makes children happy - and grown-ups love it too'. It captures the companies univeral appeal! This slogan has now become part of Haribo's identity.
In the UK, you might remember the slogan as “Kids and grown-ups love it so, the happy world of Haribo.”
A World of Haribo Products
Haribo Chamallows
Soft, fluffy marshmallow treats that are light and airy in texture. They’re quite different from Haribo’s usual gummies and are perfect for snacking or even toasting.
Haribo Gummy Bears
The classic fruit-flavoured jelly sweets that made Haribo famous. These chewy bears come in a mix of flavours like raspberry, lemon, and orange.
Haribo Giant Strawbs
Large, soft jelly sweets shaped like strawberries, with a sweet, fruity flavour and a slightly foamy texture.
Haribo Starmix
A fan-favourite mix featuring a variety of shapes and textures, including rings, hearts, cola bottles, and gummy bears.
Haribo Tangfastics
A sour twist on classic gummies, coated in a tangy sugar for a fizzy, mouth-tingling kick. Includes shapes like dummies, crocodiles, and cola bottles.
Haribo Supermix
A mix of both gummy and foam sweets, offering a variety of textures and flavours in one bag, including milk bottles and soft jelly pieces.
After all these years, Haribo is a sweet that is still loved by all generations! It's incredible to see the journey that it has been on...
If you know someone who loves Haribo sweets as much as we do, we have a range of Haribo Sweet Hampers and Haribo Bouquets.