A Sweet Treat for Every Mood: Nostalgic Favourites and Fresh New Finds
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a day feel that bit better, and a sweet treat can certainly be one of them. Whether it’s something refreshing after a meal, a familiar favourite that brings back memories or a little indulgence to get you through the afternoon, there’s a place for a bit of sweetness in everyday life.
I’ve recently been trying a selection of treats from Peppersmith and Stockley’s, two very different names with something to offer those of us who enjoy a little something sweet. From refreshing mints and gum to traditional confectionery with a nostalgic twist, there’s plenty to tempt the taste buds. And with Christmas approaching, a few of these would also make lovely little gifts.
Peppersmith: Going Mega with Mints and Gum
I’m a fan of having mints close to hand, so Peppersmith’s new Mega Pouches caught my attention. But it’s the handy little travel tin that I particularly like. Perfect for popping into a handbag or keeping in the car, it means you can carry a few mints with you without having to take the whole packet everywhere. The tin is refillable, too, which is a useful touch.
The new resealable Mega Pouches are designed for those who get through their favourite mints and gum regularly, with a generous 560 mints or 220 pieces of gum in each pouch. There are a selection of varieties to choose from: English Peppermint Mints, Extra Strong Eucalyptus Mints, English Peppermint Gum and English Spearmint Gum, as well as lemon and strawberry pocket packs.
What makes Peppersmith particularly interesting is its approach to flavour. The company uses Black Mitcham peppermint grown in Hampshire, sourced from Summerdown farm. The leaves are harvested and steam-distilled to produce the essential oil that gives the mints their distinctive peppermint character.
All Peppersmith products are made with natural ingredients and sweetened with xylitol, a plant-based sweetener that can help protect teeth when used in products such as sugar-free chewing gum and mints.
The Mega Pouches are available directly from Peppersmith, priced at £19.99 each. If you’re someone who likes to keep mints to hand throughout the day, the combination of a generous refill pouch and a portable tin makes practical sense.
Stockley’s: A Little Taste of Nostalgia
Moving from everyday freshness to traditional confectionery, Stockley’s brings a rather different kind of pleasure to the sweet table. Its range includes familiar favourites alongside some more unusual ideas, and I’ve enjoyed revisiting the simple pleasure of a good old-fashioned sweet.
Liquorice Flyers: The Magic’s in the Middle
I have to confess that I’m a huge liquorice fan, clearly the result of a misspent youth! So, Liquorice Flyers were always going to appeal to me.
First launched in 1946, these sweets have been delighting generations with their combination of chewy liquorice and tangy fruit-flavoured centres. It’s that contrast between the two that makes them distinctive, with the fruity middle providing a little surprise as you work your way through the sweet.
There’s something rather lovely about a confectionery favourite that has been around for so long. While tastes and trends come and go, some combinations simply stand the test of time. For fellow liquorice lovers, Flyers are well worth discovering, particularly as they come in a range of flavours.
Jam Roly Poly and Custard Sweets
I also tried Stockley’s Jam Roly Poly and Custard sweets, which take inspiration from a classic British pudding and turn it into a hard-boiled sweet. The raspberry and vanilla-flavoured shell have a tangy, chewy centre, giving them a little more going on than your average boiled sweet.
These are just the sort of treat I appreciate when that familiar afternoon slump hits at my desk. Sometimes a cup of tea and a little something sweet are all you need to break up the working day, and a hard-boiled sweet is easy to keep nearby for just such an occasion.
The 250g pack contains individually wrapped sweets, making them convenient to share with family and friends, too. They’re suitable for vegetarians and contain no artificial colours or flavours.
I like the idea of taking a familiar pudding and reimagining it in such a different way. Whether the name brings back memories of Sunday lunches or you simply fancy trying something a little unusual, these offer a playful take on a traditional British favourite.
A Little Chocolate Indulgence
For chocolate lovers, Stockley’s Milk Chocolate Slab with Sugar Sprinkles offers something a little more colourful. Made with milk chocolate, a white chocolate swirl and multi-coloured sugar sprinkles, it’s a cheerful treat to enjoy yourself or share with others.
At 100g, it would also make a colourful addition to a festive hamper or a small gift for someone with a sweet tooth. Priced at £4.99 at the time of writing, it’s an option for those who prefer a chocolate treat to traditional boiled sweets.
Sweet Treats for Sharing and Gifting
With Christmas on the horizon, these treats have got me thinking about the smaller gifts that can be just as enjoyable to give as to receive. A bag of traditional sweets, a colourful chocolate slab or a handy tin of mints can all make welcome additions to a stocking, hamper or little thank-you gift.
Of course, not every sweet treat needs a special occasion. For me, it might be a few liquorice sweets when I fancy something chewy, a hard-boiled sweet to get me through an afternoon at my desk or a mint tucked into my handbag for when I’m out and about.
Peppersmith and Stockley’s approach confectionery from different directions, but both offer something for those moments when a little treat is just what you fancy. And sometimes, whether it’s a reminder of the sweets you enjoyed years ago or a new favourite you discover along the way, that little moment of pleasure is reason enough.
Poppy Watt