The history of traditional sweets and chocolates in the 1910s in UK and USA including a list of 8 iconic chocolates and sweets first introduced during the 1910s, such as Milk Tray, Fox Glaciers or Jelly Babies.
It’s no surprise that the 1910s list of sweets and chocolates is very short. There was quite a lot of chocolate bars and sweets introduced in early 1900s and once the war broke out in 1914 there was no time to invent new confectionery. To celebrate the end of the war, Barrats brought out ‘Peace Babies’, which we all know now as ‘Jelly Babies’. But, the situation didn’t improve much until 1920s and 30s which saw a huge increase in new chocolate snack bars and sweets.
The political landscape in the UK during the 1910s was marked by significant political reforms and social upheaval. The decade saw the rise of the suffragette movement, with women campaigning for the right to vote. The Liberal Party and the Conservative Party were the dominant political forces, and the decade was characterized by political instability, including two general elections in 1910.
The early 1910s in the UK were characterized by the Edwardian era, a time of relative prosperity, but the outbreak of World War I in 1914 had a profound impact on life in the UK. The war brought about changes in social norms, economic conditions, and daily life. Rationing and shortages affected the availability of certain goods, including chocolate and confectionery, as resources were diverted to support the war effort. Many confectionery companies shifted their production to provide treats for soldiers serving overseas.
TRADITIONAL SWEETS & CHOCOLATE HISTORY
- Victorian Traditional Sweets History >>
- History of Sweets & Chocolates in 1900s >>
- History of Traditional Sweets in 1920s >>
1. Milk Tray (1915- UK)
Milk Tray was first introduced by Cadbury in 1915, which makes it one of the of the oldest chocolate assortment boxes in the UK, which is still being sold today. It was initially sold in plain purple packaging before adopting the iconic Milk Tray box design in the 1920s.
Milk Tray chocolates come in a variety of flavours and fillings, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, caramel, fruit cremes, and nut clusters. There is something for everyone, which makes it a popular choice for gifts.
The popular advertising slogan “All because the lady loves Milk Tray” has been associated with the brand for decades.
2. Fox’ Glaciers (1918 – UK)
Fox’s Glacier Mints were first introduced in 1918 by the UK-based confectionery company, Fox’s. They quickly gained popularity for their refreshing mint flavour and distinctive clear appearance.
These mints are made with simple ingredients, including sugar, glucose syrup, natural flavorings, and peppermint oil. Unlike traditional mint sweets that are opaque, these mints are clear and resemble small, translucent ice crystals, hence the name “Glacier Mints.”
Apart from the traditional Glacier Mints you can also buy Glacier Fruits and Glacier Mint Collection as well as two brand new Glacier Moments bags – After Darks and Little Lifts.
MORE CHOCOLATE HISTORY
- History of Chocolates & Sweets in 1930s >>
- History of Traditional Sweets in 1940s >>
- Wartime Sweets & Chocolates History >>
3. Life Savers (1912 – USA)
Life Savers were invented in 1912 by Clarence Crane in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. They are ring-shaped hard candies with a hole in the centre, resembling the shape of a lifebuoy. They come in various flavours and are often used to freshen breath.
4. Fruit Pastilles (1918 – UK)
Fruit Pastilles were first introduced by Rowntree’s in the UK in 1918. They are chewy, gelatin-based candies flavoured with fruit juice and coated in sugar.
MORE SWEETS HISTORY
- History of Sweets & Chocolates in the 1950s >>
- History of Sweets & Chocolates in 1960s >>
- Traditional Sweets in 1970s >>
5. Jelly Babies (1918 – UK)
Jelly Babies are small, baby-shaped jelly sweets with a soft and chewy texture, which are dusted with a cornstarch. They have different fruit flavours, including lemon, lime, orange, strawberry, and blackcurrant.
Jelly Babies were first made towards the end of the 1918 by British confectioner George Bassett & Co. They were originally known as “Peace Babies” to commemorate the end of World War I but were later rebranded as “Jelly Babies.”
MORE SWEETS HISTORY
6. Peter Paul Mounds (1919 – USA)
Peter Paul Mounds are coconut-filled chocolate bars that were introduced in 1919 by the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company, which later merged with Cadbury. They are made of sweetened shredded coconut coated in dark chocolate.
7. Cherry Mash (1918 – USA)
A century-old chocolate delight that continues to capture the hearts of many, the Cherry Mash is another iconic American candy. The Cherry Mash has a soft fondant maraschino cherry centre, dipped in smooth milk chocolate and coated with chopped roasted peanuts.
Similar to the Canadian candy called the Cherry Blossom, the Cherry Mash was first made by Ernest Chase in 1918 in St. Joseph, Missouri and it’s one of the oldest continuously manufactured sweets in the United States.
MORE SWEETS HISTORY
- History of chocolates in 1980s >
- The story behind traditional Spanish churros >>
- Traditional Boiled Sweets History >>
8. Goo Goo Cluster (1912 – USA)
Goo Goo Cluster is a candy bar that was invented in 1912 in Nashville, Tennessee, by Howell Campbell and Porter Moore. It’s made with caramel, marshmallow nougat, fresh roasted peanuts, and milk chocolate.
Over the years, Goo Goo Cluster has introduced several variants of the original candy bar, including Goo Goo Supreme, Goo Goo Peanut Butter, and Goo Goo Pecan.
Goo Goo Cluster is one of the earliest combination candy bars created in the United States and the cool thing is that you can actually visit the shop and create your own personalised Goo Goo Cluster. You can also take a guided tour of the Nashville factory, where you can learn about the candy-making process and sample various Goo Goo Cluster products.
This blog post was originally written on 23 February 2024 and last updated on 23 February 2024
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