More About Haribo

Haribo is the sweet brand children (and adults) know across Europe, and in France its range includes many sweets you will not find in British shops. Epicerie Corner stocks around 50 French Haribo products: Fraise Tagada, Dragibus, Croco, Schtroumpfs (Smurfs), Chamallows, the sour Pik range, liquorice classics, Maoam chews and sharing boxes and multipacks, delivered across the UK.

The Story of Haribo

Haribo was founded on 13 December 1920 by Hans Riegel in Bonn, Germany; the name comes from HAns RIegel BOnn. He started making sweets in a small kitchen with a sack of sugar, a copper pot and a rolling pin. In France, Haribo took a stake in 1967 in a confectionery factory in Marseille, which became Haribo France, and in 1987 it merged with Ricqlès-Zan, a southern French company whose roots go back to a liquorice maker founded in 1862 at Uzès, in the Gard. That is why many Haribo sweets sold in France are French creations, and why Uzès is home to the Haribo sweet museum. The famous Fraise Tagada was invented in 1969, and Dragibus was developed by the engineers of Ricqlès-Zan.

French Haribo Classics

• Haribo Fraise Tagada 400g (also in a 220g zip bag): soft, sugar-coated strawberry sweets, a French icon since 1969. Try Pik Tagada lemonade too.
• Haribo Dragibus 250g: small coloured jelly beans, plus Dragibus Soft and sour Dragibus Pik.
• Haribo Croco 280g: crocodile-shaped gummies with a sugared base, plus Croco Pik and Croco Baby with 30% less sugar.
• Schtroumpfs (Smurfs) and sour Schtroumpfs Pik, Banan's, Cocobat, Polka, Floppy, Fried Eggs (Œufs au plat), Happy Cola, Happy Cherry, Peaches, Squidgies, Berries and Car.
• Haribo Chamallows L'Original 300g: soft twisted marshmallows, perfect toasted over a campfire.
• Goldbears, the original Haribo gummy bears.

Haribo and the Town of Uzès

Uzès, a historic town in the Gard near Nîmes, has a special place in the French Haribo story. It was there that Henri Lafont began making liquorice in 1862, a business that later became Zan, famous for its liquorice sweets. After Zan joined Ricqlès and then Haribo France, Uzès became home to the Musée du Bonbon, a sweet museum where visitors can discover the history of the brand.

The Pik Range

"Pik" means sour and sugar-coated: Croco Pik, Dragibus Pik, Délir'Pik, Miami Pik, Fan of Pik, Pik Straw, Rainbow Pik, Soda Twist Pik, Orangina Pik (made with Orangina flavour) and the Pik Box assortments.

Liquorice

Liquorice has a long history at Haribo France through Zan and Ricqlès. Choose Rotella liquorice coils, Zanzigliss liquorice, or the Tirlibibi box mixing liquorice and jelly sweets.

Chews, Mints and Assortments

Maoam Stripes, MaoMix and Happy Fruttis, Mao Croqui, Tutti Candi and Starmint intense mints. For sharing: Dragolo (Dragibus, Floppies and Goldbears) in 300g and 750g, Happy Box 600g, Happy Life, World Mix 500g, Flanbolo, Pocket multipack and the Méga Fête multipack of 26 mini bags for parties.

Gummies, Foams, Chews and Liquorice

The Haribo range covers several kinds of sweets, each with its own texture:

• Gummies (bonbons gélifiés): firm, elastic jelly sweets such as Goldbears, Croco and Schtroumpfs.
• Foam sweets (guimauves): soft, airy sweets such as Tagada, Banan's and the foam bases of Croco and Fried Eggs.
• Marshmallows: Chamallows, light and squashy, which can be toasted.
• Coated sweets: Dragibus, with a thin crunchy shell around a soft centre.
• Chews: Maoam, soft fruit chews that come individually wrapped or in stripes.
• Liquorice: Rotella coils and Zanzigliss, made with liquorice extract.

Sweets for Parties and Celebrations

In France, sweets are a fixture of children's birthday parties, school fêtes, Halloween and the pochettes surprises (party bags) given to guests. Multipacks of mini bags, such as Méga Fête with 26 small bags and the Pocket multipack, make it easy to share fairly. For a colourful sweet table, mix Tagada, Dragibus, Croco and Chamallows in jars, or use them to decorate birthday cakes and cupcakes. In summer, Chamallows are toasted on skewers over a barbecue or campfire.

How to Choose

• The French favourite: Fraise Tagada.
• Sour lovers: anything in the Pik range.
• Children's parties: Méga Fête or Pocket multipacks.
• Liquorice fans: Rotella, Zanzigliss or Tirlibibi.
• Less sugar: Croco Baby, with 30% less sugar.
• Toasting: Chamallows.

Good to Know

Most Haribo sweets contain gelatine, an animal product, so they are not suitable for vegetarians; if you avoid pork, check the gelatine source and any halal mention on each pack. Several French recipes state "no artificial colouring" on the pack. Liquorice products should be eaten in moderation by people with high blood pressure, as indicated on the label. Small sweets are not suitable for very young children because of the risk of choking. Store in a cool, dry place and close bags after opening. For more sweets, see Chocolates and Sweets and Hard Sweets.

Haribo FAQs

What does Haribo stand for?

HAns RIegel BOnn, after its founder and his home town.

When was Fraise Tagada created?

In 1969, by Haribo.

Why are some Haribo sweets only found in France?

Haribo France grew from French confectioners, including Ricqlès-Zan of Uzès, and many of its sweets were created for French tastes.

Which Haribo sweets are sour?

Everything in the Pik range, from Croco Pik to the Pik Box, is coated in a tangy sugar.

Are the Méga Fête bags individually wrapped?

Yes. The multipack contains 26 mini bags of assorted Haribo sweets, ideal for parties.