The thing about the public is that you never quite know what they’re going to do. A few months ago, we decided to conduct a little market research, the main aim being to find out what all of you lovely people out there like… So that we can do more of it. In the midst of all this, we asked, what we thought at the time, was something of a throwaway question. Largely, because we thought that we already knew the answer. And that question was:

What is your favourite Swizzels brand?

Now, we were confidently expecting you to say, ‘Love Hearts, duh!’ Because, after all, who doesn’t love Love Hearts? They’re cute, they’re delicious, and they make people smile. But No! Although Love Hearts very much make the upper end of the favourites list, the 66-year-old stalwart was pushed back by a young pretender.

SQUASHIES!

Launched in 2012, Squashies are one of the newer sweets on the Swizzels block. But they’ve obviously found their way to the nation’s hearts and stomachs!

The original idea behind the sweet treat was to take the flavours of some of our most popular original Swizzels sweets – Drumsticks, Love Hearts and Refreshers – and squish them into a soft gum.  “Original favourites, Squashified” – if you will.  The result, as you know, is a soft, mouth-watering sweet that has captured the hearts of the young and not-so-young alike.

They were such a hit that Squashies were Awarded Top Launch for sugar confectionery in The Grocer in 2012. And since they were first created, we’ve added even more flavours to the Squashies range. Perhaps it shouldn’t have come as such a surprise, then, that you seem to approve of them!

So, Squashies are the number one Swizzels brand. But how did all the others fare?

The UK’s favourite Swizzels sweets by preference

1. Squashies – 22.39%
2. Refreshers – 16.85%
3. Parma Violets – 16.41%
4. Drumstick Lollies – 14.41%
5. Love Hearts – 8.20%
6. Double Lollies – 7.32%
7. Rainbow Drops – 3.77%
8. Fizzers – 3.55%
9. Double Dip – 2.22%
10. Fun Gums – 1.77%
11. PUDS – 1.55%
12. Choos – 0.67%
13. Fruity Pops – 0.44%
14. Stinger – 0.44%

Don’t feel too badly for poor old Fruity Pops and Stingers. They’ve both been around for decades, and although they’re currently at the bottom of the pile, their fanbase stretches into millions, especially with our vegan-friendly recipes.

So, what do you think? Do you agree with the rest of the Great British public? Would you put Squashies at number one? Or will you always have a soft spot for Fizzers? Let us know your thoughts over on our Facebook or Instagram channels!