Buying sweets: how to choose the right gummies, sour sweets and bubblegum online

Buying sweets seems simple, but when you shop online you’ll often find big differences in flavour, quantity, ingredients and packaging. A colourful picture tells you little about portion size or allergens. Terms such as “fruity”, “fizzy” or “no artificial colours” don’t automatically tell you whether a product is right for you.

When ordering sweets online, watch out for these three common pitfalls:

• The packaging can hide how much you’re really getting. A large bag may contain relatively few sweets, while smaller packs can work out more expensive per gram.
• A familiar flavour doesn’t tell you what’s in the product. Cola sweets, fruit sweets and gummies may contain gelatine, wheat, milk or other allergens.
• Fun packaging isn’t always practical for the occasion. A small bag is handy on the go, but for a birthday or film night you’ll usually need a larger sharing pack.

What should you look for when buying sweets?

1. Compare the weight and nutritional information

Don’t just look at the price per pack: check the net weight and the price per 100 grams too. For sharing, bags of around 180 to 250 grams are often more practical than individual 60 to 80-gram bags. Smaller packs can be easier to hand out as treats, gifts or party sweets.

Nutritional values are usually given per 100 grams. Depending on the type and recipe, the products in this range contain around 341 to 400 kcal per 100 grams. Sugar content varies. Haribo Happy Cola Gummies, for example, contain 46 grams of sugar per 100 grams, while Haribo Fizz Bubble contains 63 grams. Use this information to compare portions and combinations; a lower figure doesn’t automatically mean a product is the right choice for everyone.

2. Check the ingredients and allergens

If you’re buying gummies, jelly sweets or sour sweets, it’s worth checking the ingredients list. Some products contain beef gelatine. This matters if you eat halal or vegetarian food, or avoid gelatine for other reasons.

Check for allergens too:

• Haribo Fizz Soda Straws contain wheat and gluten and may contain milk.
• Haribo Fizz Bubble lists wheat gluten and milk.
• Cokoc Bear Gummies contain milk, soya and beef gelatine, among other ingredients.
• Bubblicious Strawberry Splash Bubblegum lists none of the 14 main EU allergens.
• Products with no listed allergens may still be made in an environment where other allergens are handled.

Always check the label on the pack you receive. Product information, recipes and allergen details may change.

3. Choose a shape and texture that suit the occasion

Texture plays a big part in the experience:

• Gummies and jelly sweets: soft and chewy, often suitable for sharing.
• Sour sweets: recognisable by their sour coating or flavour, as with soda straws and fizzy sweets.
• Cola sweets: available as bottles, straws, tongues or soft gummies.
• Bubblegum: made for chewing for longer and sometimes blowing bubbles.
• Cotton candy: light and delicate; eat soon after opening.

It’s best to supervise young children when they’re eating chewy or hard sweets. Also check the age guidance and instructions on the packaging.

Recommended picks for different types of shoppers

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Cokoc Triple-Layer Juicy Burst Gummies 60g

Why it suits this shopper: The 60-gram pack is a handy size if you want to try a smaller amount of gummies without committing to a big bag. Concentrated fruit juice and a three-layer texture add variety to the flavour and feel.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The weight is clearly stated, and nutritional information is available per 100 grams. That makes it easy to compare this smaller pack fairly with larger bags.

Key benefits and features

60 grams per pack; 10% concentrated fruit juice according to the product information; soft gummy texture.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for top quality

Cokoc Bear Gummies with Choco Coating 80g

Why it suits this shopper: This variety pairs a soft gummy centre with a coating of dark chocolate. It’s an interesting alternative to standard fruit sweets for adults and children alike.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information describes both the texture and the ingredients. So you’ll know in advance that these are chocolate-coated gummies, not ordinary jelly sweets.

Key benefits and features

80 grams; bear shape; a combination of gummy and dark chocolate; contains milk, soya and beef gelatine according to the label.

Suitable for: Specific occasions and keen sweet lovers

Haribo Fizz Soda Straws - 180g

Why it suits this shopper: The 180-gram bag is made for sharing. Its selection of soda flavours, including cola, tropical passion fruit, strawberry and peach iced tea, is ideal for a film night, birthday or get-together.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The pack size is clearly suited to sharing. The product information also lists wheat and gluten, so you can take allergens into account in advance.

Key benefits and features

180 grams; several soda flavours; sour coating; described as containing no artificial colours.

More picks for cola, bubblegum and parties

If you love cola sweets, Haribo Happy Cola Gummies in a 250-gram bag, Want Want-QQ Gummy Cola Flavour in a 70-gram pack and ENNJOI SOURMEOW Gummy Cola Flavor in a 70-gram pack are all worth considering. They vary in shape, packaging and nutritional values. If you have specific dietary preferences, check the label on products containing gelatine.

If bubblegum is what you’re after, take a look at Bubblicious Strawberry Splash Bubblegum in a 152-gram pack or Candyman Mac Bubble in a 150-gram pack. Candyman states that 35% of the product is bubblegum. For a different kind of treat, Care Bears Strawberry Flavor Cotton Candy comes in a 9-gram portion. Cotton candy can shrink or dissolve in damp or warm conditions, so store it somewhere dry and eat it soon after opening.

Frequently asked questions about buying sweets

What sweets are good for sharing?

Choose a pack of at least 180 grams and check that the sweets can be taken out of the bag individually. Haribo Fizz Soda Straws, Haribo Fizz Bubble and Haribo Happy Cola Gummies are all intended for sharing based on their pack sizes. Check for allergens in advance and consider how many people you’re buying for.

How should you store sweets after ordering online?

Store sweets in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Seal an opened bag tightly to help prevent the sweets from drying out, sticking together or absorbing moisture. Chocolate-coated gummies need extra care in warm weather. Keep cotton candy somewhere dry and, ideally, eat it as soon as you open it.

What should you look for when buying sweets for a party?

Compare the total weight, choose a range of flavours and check that the products are suitable for your guests. For example, you could combine sour sweets, fruit sweets, gummies and bubblegum. For children, always check the age guidance and allergen information on the packaging. This helps you choose sweets that suit the party and avoid buying products that go unused or aren’t suitable.