York Fruits get mixed up with Rowntree's constantly - understandable, given both brands trace back to the same city - but the jelly sweet in that gift box actually has nothing to do with Fruit Pastilles or Fruit Gums.
A Terry's sweet, not a Rowntree's one
York Fruits were created by Terry's of York, the confectioner far better known for Terry's Chocolate Orange, rather than by their York neighbour Rowntree's. It's an easy mix-up: York was home to a genuine "confectionery triumvirate" of Terry's, Rowntree's and Craven's for much of the 20th century, all producing sweets from the same small city, which is exactly why brand attribution gets muddled decades later.
What's actually in the box
York Fruits are sugar-coated fruit jellies rather than the softer, gum-based texture of Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles or Fruit Gums. They're moulded into distinct shapes - circles, half-moons, teardrops and diamonds - in flavours including lemon, raspberry, strawberry, mandarin, lime and cherry, with a dusting of sugar crystals on the outside rather than a gum coating.
Passed between four owners
Since leaving Terry's, the brand has passed through Kraft Foods and Smith Kendon before being acquired by Tangerine Confectionery in 2012, who still make it. It's remained a particularly popular Christmas gift box throughout those changes of ownership, sold in the same style of presentation carton for decades. You'll find other traditional boxed jellies and boiled sweets in our retro sweets collection.
Frequently asked questions
Who originally made York Fruits?
Terry's of York - the maker of Terry's Chocolate Orange - not Rowntree's, despite the two brands often being confused because both were based in York.
What are York Fruits made of?
Sugar-coated fruit jellies moulded into shapes like circles, half-moons, teardrops and diamonds, in flavours including lemon, raspberry, strawberry, mandarin, lime and cherry.
Who makes York Fruits today?
Tangerine Confectionery, who acquired the brand in 2012 after it passed through Kraft Foods and Smith Kendon.