When it comes to childhood treats, Birmingham has a sweet tooth.
From boiled sweets to chocolatey delights, the shops are a welcome sight for many youngsters for many years - and, of course, we’re home to one of the best known chocolate brands in the world with Cadbury in Bournville.
But for those of us who grew up in Birmingham during a certain era, there are some sweets that really stand out as particularly special - sweets that are sure to evoke fond memories of childhood.
Some of the most memorable moments were the ones spent with friends, laughing and joking on the playground or calling your friend from a telephone box.
For any Brummie kid, walking into the local sweet shop after school was like walking into a world of pure joy. The brightly coloured jars on the shelves went right up to ceiling and were filled to the brim with a rainbow of sweets. After leaving the shop, you’d rummage through the bag, seeing which sweet to pick out first.
For some, the choice was easy - if you knew your favourite flavour you’d go straight for it. But for others, the decision was more difficult. Did you want Black Jacks, the chewy little squares or liquorice allsorts?
Friendships and relationships that were formed over those little paper bags of sugar-filled goodness, they were a talking point for many. If you really liked somebody, you’d give them your last sweetie - even if it was your favourite one.
Here are 13 retro Birmingham sweets that only a certain generation of Brummies will remember:
1. Opal Fruits
These tangy, fruity flavour sweets were perfect for children on their way home from school and for adults alike. The small hard sweets were wrapped in brightly coloured packaging and introduced in the 1960’s. In 1998 the sweets were rename Starburst and some say have never tasted the same. Despite being off the shelves for some time, the memory of their zingy taste and vibrant colours remains for many.
2. Pear Drops
Pear Drops were a popular choice among those who enjoyed a sweet and fruity taste. These small, hard boiled sweets had a distinct pear flavour and were often sold in small paper bags.
3. Bournville Chocolate
Bournville Chocolate is another classic chocolate bar made by the Cadbury factory in Birmingham. This dark chocolate bar has a rich flavour and still bears it’s famous name.
4. Aniseed Balls
These small, hard boiled sweets had a powerful aniseed flavour and were a popular choice among those who enjoyed liquorice. They were often sold in small paper bags and could be found in many sweet shops around Birmingham.