Sweets, not candy

What’s your favorite candy?

If you are from the United States, you might be used to calling sugary treats “candy.” In Northern Ireland / UK, we usually call them “sweets” and in Australia they are known as “lollies”. Growing up, I absolutely loved sweets, anything chewy, fruity, or chocolatey but these days, I wouldn’t really eat them. Nevertheless, some sweets hold a special place in our memories, and one of my favourites had to be Chewits, the chewy, fruity treats that have delighted generations of kids (and adults!) across the country.

Launched in the UK in 1968, Chewits quickly became known for their soft, chewy texture, fruity flavours, and their playful dinosaur mascot, a tiny bit of marketing magic that captured the imagination of children everywhere. Strawberry, blackcurrant, cola, tropical, there was a flavour for every mood, and unwrapping a Chewit always felt like a small moment of joy. It was great that they came in their own wrapper, as you could easily share these with your friends. I remember in school, in one particular class, if you performed well that week, you would receive two packets of Chewits, one for you and one to share with your classmates.

Today, even if I rarely reach for sweets, Chewits remain a nostalgic favourite, a reminder of childhood corner shops, pick ‘n’ mix bags, and the simple pleasure of something sweet and chewy. They are more than just a treat, they are a little chewy slice of Northern Irish childhood.