Buying sweets online: how to choose mints, liquorice and sweets without making a mistake

When you’re buying sweets online, you’ll quickly come across dozens of flavours, brands and sizes side by side. A roll for on the go, a large bag for visitors or sugar-free sweets for the car – the choice is vast. Yet an attractive packet can hide important information.

The most common pitfalls are:

• Confusing “sugar-free” with “unlimited suitability.” Sugar-free sweets often contain sweeteners such as sorbitol, maltitol or xylitol. According to the label, a high intake can have a laxative effect.
• Mixing up vegan, vegetarian and allergen-free. A product may be vegan but still carry a warning for milk or sulphites. Always check the ingredients and allergen information.
• Overestimating the flavour strength. “Mint”, “extra strong” and “fresh breath” don’t all mean the same thing. Look at the type of flavour, the sweeteners and the size before you order.
• Choosing liquorice without checking the warning. Liquorice products sometimes contain liquorice root extract. Certain packets state that people with high blood pressure should avoid excessive consumption.

What to look for when buying sweets online

1. Ingredients and allergens

The ingredients list is the most practical check. With mint sweets and peppermint sweets, look out for menthol, peppermint oil and natural flavourings. With liquorice, liquorice root extract, aniseed and ammonium chloride are what determine the taste.

Also check whether the product suits your preferences:

• Vegan sweets: check whether gelatine, beeswax, milk or other animal-derived ingredients are present.
• Gluten-free sweets: don’t rely on the product name alone. Check the allergen declaration. For example, the product information for Venco Droptoppers lists wheat flour and gluten.
• Sulphites or milk: these can appear in fruit products or dragées, even when the packaging mainly highlights a fruit flavour.
• Aspartame: some sugar-free products contain aspartame and therefore a source of phenylalanine.

2. Sugar content and sweeteners

A regular sweet often contains a lot of carbohydrates from sugar. The Mentos products in this range, for example, state around 69 to 71 grams of sugar per 100 grams. That makes them suitable if you’re consciously choosing regular sweet treats, but less appropriate when you’re specifically looking for sugar-free sweets.

With sugar-free varieties, the sugar content is usually listed as 0 grams per 100 grams, but that doesn’t mean they can be eaten without care. Smint Cleanbreath Peppermint and Wilhelmina Sugar-Free Peppermint contain polyols and sweeteners. If in doubt, read the recommended information on the packet.

3. Size, packaging and when to use it

A large bag of 235 or 250 grams is handy for home, but less practical in a coat pocket. Rolls and small boxes are suitable for on the go, at the office or in the car. A resealable packet helps keep the contents dry.

Also pay attention to the best-before information. The product page states that the exact date is on the packet. Store sweets according to the instructions: cool, dry, out of direct sunlight and well sealed after opening.

Our recommendations by buyer type

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Mentos Cola Chewy Candy - 5 pcs

Why this fits the profile: The roll packaging is straightforward and easy to take with you. The cola flavour offers an alternative to standard mint or liquorice.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information clearly states 5 pieces, a chewy texture and cola flavour. Sugar and allergen details are also provided.

Key benefit & plus points

Practical roll, fruity cola flavour and made in the Netherlands according to the product information.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for top quality

King Peppermint Balls - 250g

Why this fits the profile: This large pack is ideal for fans of strong menthol sweets who want to keep a stock at home.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The specifications mention a soft centre, menthol and peppermint oil. This makes the flavour direction clearer upfront than with a general sweet mix.

Key benefit & plus points

250 grams content, soft centre and none of the 14 major EU allergens according to the product information.

Suitable for: Specific use & heavy users

Fisherman's Friend Spearmint Lozenges - 75 g

Why this fits the profile: The resealable pack is practical for on the go. The spearmint flavour suits anyone looking for a distinctive mint product.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product is listed as sugar-free, but the ingredients list mentions sorbitol and aspartame. This means you can check the sweeteners in advance.

Key benefit & plus points

0 grams of sugar per 100 grams according to the product information, resealable pack and spearmint flavour.

Choosing liquorice, vegan sweets or breath-freshening sweets

For fans of sweet liquorice, Oldtimers Sneakers Sweeteners and Oldtimers Ship Buttons are interesting options to compare. Both product descriptions mention a vegan and gluten-free composition. Always check the liquorice warning with any liquorice product.

Venco Sweet Licorice Katjesdrop is gluten-free according to the product information, but does contain gelatine and beeswax. This means it is not suitable for vegans. Venco Tikkels Drop & Mint combines liquorice and mint with a hard outer shell and soft centre; the ingredients list mentions gelatine.

If you’re looking for breath-freshening sweets or throat lozenges, compare the flavour and sweeteners. Smint XL Peppermint Duo and Smint Cleanbreath Peppermint are sugar-free and contain, among other things, sorbitol and aspartame. The claim about effectiveness lasting a certain duration is a brand claim; don’t treat it as a guaranteed personal result. Fisherman’s Friend Extra Strong, on the other hand, has a strong menthol flavour and lists liquorice in the ingredients.

Frequently asked questions about buying sweets online

Which type of sweet is handy for on the go?

Rolls such as Mentos, Wilhelmina and Fisherman’s Friend take up little space. For longer storage, a pot or resealable bag is more practical. Always check the storage instructions after opening.

Are sugar-free sweets always vegan and gluten-free?

No. Sugar-free only tells you about the absence of sugar as an ingredient or the stated sugar content. Also check for gelatine, milk, beeswax, gluten and sulphites on the label.

What should I look for with peppermint sweets?

Look at the flavourings, sugar content, portion size and any sweeteners. Products with aspartame carry a warning for phenylalanine. With polyols, excessive consumption can have a laxative effect according to the label.