Sweets are one of the most familiar treats in Britain, from a single boiled sweet in a coat pocket to a full bag of mixed favourites on a film night. This guide explains what counts as a sweet, the main types you will come across, how sweets are sold, what the common dietary labels mean, a short history, and where to start if you want to buy sweets online for delivery across the UK.
What counts as a sweet?
In everyday UK use, a sweet is a small confection made mainly from sugar or other sweeteners and eaten as a treat. The category includes boiled sweets, gums, jellies, chocolate-coated pieces, marshmallows, liquorice and mints. Chocolate bars are often grouped separately, although many shoppers buy them alongside sweets.
The main types of sweets
Boiled and hard sweets
Boiled sweets are made by cooking a sugar syrup until it reaches a set stage, then flavouring and shaping it. They dissolve slowly and come in many flavours, from traditional fruit drops to sherbet-filled centres. Our boiled sweets guide goes into more detail.
Chewy and gummy sweets
Gummies, jellies, chews and fruit pastilles have a soft, bouncy or chewy texture. Their structure comes from gelling agents and the recipe, so texture varies between brands. Many gummy sweets contain gelatine, which is animal-derived, so check the label if you need a non-animal option. Browse our pick n mix range for a wide mix of chewy and hard styles.
Chocolate
Chocolate sweets include chocolate buttons, chocolate-coated nuts, and small bars and bites. They are usually grouped by milk, dark or white chocolate, and the cocoa content is shown on the label. You can find a full selection in our chocolate collection.
Marshmallow and foam sweets
Marshmallows are soft, aerated sweets made from a whipped mixture set with a gelling agent. Foam sweets are a related style, usually shaped and sold as fun novelty pieces. Read more in our guide to marshmallows, which are not just for hot chocolate.
Fizzy and sherbet sweets
Fizzy sweets and sherbet contain an acid and a carbonate that react when they meet saliva, producing a fizz on the tongue. The effect is short-lived, and fizzy sweets are often sold in tubs and bags for sharing. Browse our sour sweets and retro sweets collections for classic fizzy and tangy styles.
Liquorice
Liquorice sweets are made with liquorice root extract or flavouring and come in soft, chewy and firm forms. Flavours and strengths vary, so the label and product description are the best guide. Explore our liquorice collection.
Lollies and novelty sweets
Lollies are sweets on a stick, and novelty sweets are shaped or themed for parties, gifts and seasonal events. They are popular for children's party bags and gift selections. See our lollies collection.
Mints and lozenges
Mints are hard, flavoured sweets, often with a cool or fresh taste, while lozenges are similar sweets designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth. Our sour sweets ranking and the collections above will help you compare styles.
How sweets are sold
Sweets are sold in several formats, and the best choice depends on how many you want and how you plan to eat them.
- Pick n mix lets you choose individual sweets by weight. It suits people who want variety. See our pick n mix collection.
- Share bags are pre-filled bags designed for a few people to enjoy together. Browse share bags.
- Bulk bags are larger quantities, often chosen for parties, events or regular use. See bulk bags.
- Sweet tubs are sealed tubs that keep a selection fresh and are easy to store. Explore sweet tubs.
- Multipacks are sets of individual packs, useful for lunchboxes and portion control.
- Sweet jars are presentation-style jars, popular as gifts or for display. See sweet jars.
Buying tips
Compare value per sweet
The price on the front of a pack does not show the full cost. Divide the price by the number of sweets, or by the weight, to compare. Bulk bags often work out cheaper per sweet, while small packs and tubs can be better for variety or storage. Our guide to bags of sweets explains this in more detail.
Understanding dietary labels
Dietary labels are only as reliable as the information the manufacturer provides, so read the packaging for each product.
- Vegan means the product contains no animal-derived ingredients and is not tested on animals. Some manufacturers use the Vegan Society Trademark, which is a third-party certification, and it is the clearest signal. A vegan claim without certification is the manufacturer's own statement. Browse our vegan collection or read our vegan sweets buying guide.
- Vegetarian means the product contains no meat or fish, but it may still contain animal-derived ingredients such as gelatine or some dairy. Check the ingredients if you need a stricter choice. See our vegetarian collection.
- Gelatine-free means the label states that gelatine is not used. This is common among chewy sweets, so look for it on the pack.
- Halal-friendly is a descriptive term that a brand may use for products it considers suitable. It is not the same as certification by a recognised halal body. If you need certified halal, check the packaging for a named certifier. Browse our halal-friendly sweets.
- Gluten-free sweets should be checked against the ingredients and any allergen statement. Our gluten-free sweets collection lists items with checked ingredients.
Check allergen information
In the UK, food businesses must declare 14 regulated allergens when they are used as ingredients: celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide and sulphites above 10 parts per million, and tree nuts. Always follow the manufacturer's labelling. A 'may contain' statement is a precautionary warning, not a confirmed ingredient, and it is not a guarantee either way.
A short history
Sweet brands have very different histories, and many popular names have stories that are hard to verify from a single source. One well-documented example is Haribo, which was founded in 1920 in Bonn, Germany, by Hans Riegel. The company's own history pages describe it as starting in a small kitchen before growing into a large confectionery business. For more background, read our piece on why Haribo is called Haribo.
Where to start
If you are new to buying sweets online, these are good places to begin:
- Pick n mix, for choosing your own selection
- Share bags, for a ready-made mix to enjoy together
- Bulk bags, for parties and larger orders
- Sweet jars, for gifts and display
- Retro sweets, for classic favourites
For a broader overview of popular choices, see our UK favourite sweets ranked guide, and for the ordering process, read our buying sweets online guide.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a sweet?
A sweet is a small sugar-based confection eaten as a treat, including boiled sweets, gummies, chocolate pieces, marshmallows, liquorice and mints.
Are sweets and candy the same?
Broadly, yes. Sweets is the common British term and candy is the usual American term.
What is the difference between hard and chewy sweets?
Hard sweets are set sugar that dissolves slowly. Chewy sweets are softer, bouncy or chewy, and hold their shape when eaten.
How do I buy sweets online in the UK?
Choose a category or format, check the product details and labels, add your items to the basket and select a UK delivery option at checkout.
How should I store sweets?
Store them in a cool, dry place in sealed packaging or an airtight container, away from sunlight and strong smells, and check any instructions on the pack.
Final thoughts
Sweets come in many forms, from classic boiled sweets to modern gummies, and the right choice depends on taste, budget, and dietary needs. Use the types and labels above to compare products, and read the packaging for full ingredient and allergen details. Our pick n mix and bulk bags ranges are a good place to start, and our sour sweets ranking can help if you want something sharp.