International sweets offer much more than standard liquorice or milk chocolate. Think Asian sweets, Japanese mochi with matcha or fruit fillings, American gummies, and colourful treats from Turkey and Latin America. At the same time, it can be difficult to see exactly what you are buying online at a glance.
An appealing package, for example, tells you little about the flavour, texture or serving size. Allergens, gelatine and storage instructions can also easily be overlooked. Use these practical checks to compare foreign sweets based on the information that really matters.
A 45 g bag and a 250 g pack are difficult to compare directly. So do not just look at the price per pack; also check the price per 100 grams. For sweets to share, a larger pack is usually more convenient, while a small bag may be suitable for trying a new flavour.
Also pay attention to multipacks. The NERDS Gummy Clusters Fruits 10×113 g, for example, are intended for multiple portions or resale. That is a different purchase from a single 45 g bag.
Mochi is a soft, elastic sweet made with glutinous rice flour or rice. Products labelled “Japanese style” may have been produced outside Japan. That is not necessarily a problem, but it is best to check the country of origin, ingredients and product description.
According to the product description, Seiki Ramune Mochi is imported from Japan. Other mochi products may be Japanese-style products or come from countries such as China or Taiwan. This gives you a better idea of what to expect.
Words such as “natural”, “authentic” or “free from artificial colourings” do not tell you everything about a product. A sweet may contain no artificial colourings and still be high in sugar, for example. Use the nutrition table as a practical supplement to the information on the front of the pack.
According to Red Band’s own product information, Juicy Bites are vegan and free from artificial colourings. Always check the current packaging when buying, particularly if you have an allergy, dietary requirement or religious food preference.
The EU allergen declaration should clearly indicate which major allergens are present. The available product information mentions milk, soya, wheat, egg, nuts, sesame and gelatine, among others.
Pay particular attention to:
If in doubt, read the ingredients list on the packaging. Online product information may change and does not always replace the label.
The word “sweets” covers a range of eating experiences:
For a gift or tasting session, a combination of textures often works better than several similar bags of gummies.
Check the best-before date on the packaging. Store most sweets in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Seal opened bags securely.
Some types of mochi need to be refrigerated after opening and eaten within the specified period. Q-Brand Cocoa Mochi Passion Fruit is different: according to the product information, it should be stored frozen at a maximum of -18 °C and briefly thawed before eating. Correct storage is therefore an important part of your choice.
Why it suits this profile: The 250 g pack provides plenty to try a familiar bubblegum flavour or share with others.
The net weight is clearly stated. However, check the ingredients: the product contains gelatine and acids.
250 g per pack; fizzy texture and bubblegum flavour according to the product description.
Why it suits this profile: Matcha, red beans and glutinous rice flour create a distinctive Asian flavour combination.
The ingredients and nutritional values are available, so you can take the matcha and sesame content into account when choosing.
210 g; matcha, red beans and sesame are listed in the ingredients.
Why it suits this profile: The box of ten bags is ideal for parties, a sweet cupboard, impulse purchases or a small shop assortment.
The total quantity is broken down into 10×113 g. This makes the difference between a trial bag and a multipack immediately clear.
Ten individual bags; a combination of a soft gummy centre and crunchy Nerds sweets.
Why it suits this profile: The mix contains several fruit flavours, including lemon, cherry, orange, apple and pineapple.
A mixed pack reduces the chance that one unexpected fruit flavour will determine your entire purchase.
250 g; an assortment with several fruit profiles; suitable for a sweet jar or sharing.
We have put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.
If you are specifically looking for Japanese sweets, there are several types of mochi to choose from. Love & Love Japanese Style Pandan & Coconut Mochi contains individually wrapped pieces with pandan and coconut flavours. According to the ingredients list, Royal Family Mochi Creamy Coconut contains soya and coconut, among other ingredients. For a fresher combination, Seiki Ramune Mochi and Royal Family Mint Chocolate Chip offer distinctive flavour profiles.
Fans of fruit gums can try Haribo Sweet Mix, Haribo Happy Cherry Soda Flavor Gummies or Red Band Juicy Bites Strawberry Flavor. For chocolate lovers, G'woon Crispy Brownie Chocolate Cookies and Q-Brand Cocoa Mochi Passion Fruit are interesting alternatives to gummies. Always pay attention to the freezer instructions for the latter.
First check the net weight, price per 100 grams, ingredients, allergens, country of origin and shelf life. Also check whether the product needs to be stored dry, chilled or frozen. This helps prevent the product from losing its texture due to incorrect storage.
Mochi usually refers to a soft, chewy snack made with glutinous rice or glutinous rice flour. “Japanese mochi” may indicate traditional Japanese origins, while “Japanese style mochi” often describes a product style. Check the product description and country of origin for a more accurate idea of what to expect.
Packs of 200 to 250 grams, such as Haribo Sweet Mix, Lutti Bubblizz and Haribo Fizz Bubble, are practical for a sweet jar or sharing with others. Multipacks such as NERDS Gummy Clusters Fruits 10×113 g are more convenient when you want to hand out several individual portions.