Licorice Allsorts

Licorice Allsorts consist of licorice candies in a mixture of various shapes, sizes and colors. These confections are made of licorice, sugar, coconut, aniseed jelly, fruit flavorings, and gelatin. Licorice Allsorts History Licorice Allsorts have a storied history that spans o...

Licorice Allsorts consist of licorice candies in a mixture of various shapes, sizes and colors. These confections are made of licorice, sugar, coconut, aniseed jelly, fruit flavorings, and gelatin.

Licorice Allsorts History

Licorice Allsorts have a storied history that spans over a century. These colorful and distinctive candies are a beloved treat for licorice enthusiasts and candy lovers alike. Let's delve into the origins and evolution of Licorice Allsorts.

The creation of Licorice Allsorts can be attributed to Geo. Bassett & Co., a confectionery company founded in 1842 by George Bassett in Sheffield, England. The company initially focused on producing traditional licorice candies but sought to innovate and introduce new confections.

The story goes that Licorice Allsorts were accidentally created in the early 1890s when a sales representative for Bassett's dropped a tray of assorted licorice candies, causing them to scatter and mix together. Instead of discarding the mixed candies, the sales representative saw potential in the unique appearance and suggested packaging and selling them as a new product. This accidental assortment of candies became known as Licorice Allsorts.

The original Licorice Allsorts were made from a blend of licorice, sugar, and other ingredients, with each candy featuring a different shape, size, and texture. The assortment typically included various forms, such as sandwiched layers of licorice and fondant, coconut-covered cubes, colorful stripes, and more. These distinct shapes and textures contributed to the visual appeal and variety of flavors in each package.

Licorice Allsorts gained popularity in the early 20th century and became an iconic confectionery treat in the United Kingdom. They were often enjoyed during special occasions, such as holidays, and became a staple in candy shops and sweet stores across the country.

In the 1920s, Bassett's adopted a distinctive packaging design for Licorice Allsorts, featuring bold colors, the Bassett's logo, and images that represented the various candy shapes. This eye-catching packaging further solidified Licorice Allsorts' visual appeal and helped them stand out on store shelves.

Over time, the popularity of Licorice Allsorts spread beyond the United Kingdom, gaining fans worldwide. The candies became synonymous with British confectionery and are now enjoyed in many countries.

In 2009, Bassett's was acquired by Cadbury, a British multinational confectionery company. Today, Licorice Allsorts continue to be produced under the Cadbury brand, ensuring their legacy and availability to licorice lovers.

Licorice Allsorts have become more than just a candy; they are an iconic symbol of nostalgia and a beloved treat for many. Their vibrant colors, unique shapes, and blend of licorice and other flavors have made them a timeless classic.

Whether enjoyed by licorice enthusiasts or those who appreciate their colorful assortment, Licorice Allsorts continue to be a cherished candy that evokes fond memories and brings joy with every bite.

Licorice Allsorts Memories

My grandmother was a rather dour farm woman, but when her grandchildren visited, she would buy two bags of candy -- one of suckers and one of licorice allsorts. Of all the cousins, I was the only one who liked licorice. I could never figure out why Granny would buy an entire bag of candy just for me, and make the other seven share one bag of suckers, but I didn't question her! I loved the pastel layered ones, and the tubes with the soft filling, and my favorites were the nonpariels.

Almost 50 years later, I mentioned to my mother about Granny and the bag of licorice allsorts. She smiled and said, "You weren't the only one in the family who liked licorice!" It all came clear to me. Granny liked those allsorts as much as I did, but she would never buy them for herself. But she couldn't let those perfectly good licorice candies go to waste after I had gone! Even now, every time I eat licorice allsorts I think about Granny. ~ Sherri from Idaho