American candy is hugely popular in the world of confectionery. It’s a market that excites the minds and tastebuds of everyone with a sweet tooth. There’s a mouth-watering blend of classics that have been delicious for decades, alongside new and extravagant candies that are pushing the boundaries. So, it’s no wonder that there’s growing demand here in the UK!
Chances are that both you and your customers have heard of Red Vines. If you’ve ever been to America, then you have probably seen them. From candy stands to gas stations and grocery stores, they are everywhere! The star of the American Licorice Company’s range, they’re so iconic that they’ve made dozens of appearance in TV and films, too. And if you want to spread peace, love and vines in the UK, Red Vines are a great way to add a stateside feel to your store – you can get them exclusively at Hancocks.
Founded in 1914, the American Licorice Company begun by making Black Licorice Twists at their Chicago facility. Five generations later the company is still family-owned and run – they’re making sweets the same way, too. For over 100 years, the American Licorice Company have used artisanal sweet-making techniques. This allows them to produce high quality liquorice sweets in small batches – that’s why they’re so delicious each and every time! These standards are undoubtedly part of what has made them such a popular American candy for so many years.
Throughout the Great Depression, they continued to work hard and produced and delivered their liquorice candy daily to customers. In 1925 the company played a part in the iconic scene in The Gold Rush when Charlie Chaplin’s character eats his own shoe as his Thanksgiving meal. The American Licorice Company made this very shoe out of their then-signature black liquorice, enabling it to be eaten onscreen.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that the company actually came up with their most iconic treat. Red Vines were first introduced as ‘Raspberry Vines’, they used fruit flavourings instead of liquorice extracts, which gave them a unique sweet and fruity flavour. They were a hit that the public loved and quickly dubbed ‘red liquorice’. Made with only five simple ingredients, they have an unmistakably liquorice-like texture – but they don’t contain any liquorice at all! They’re also gelatine-free, halal and dairy-free.
Throughout the years, there have been many innovative treats to come out of the American Liquorice Company. In the early 1960s, Licorice Ropes were born, which quickly led to Super Ropes – a massive 34-inch liquorice piece that was individually wrapped and the biggest to ever hit the market. In the years that followed, the American Licorice Company got inventive with even more flavours, introducing the grape-flavoured Purple Vines, pepperminty Green Vines and Chocolate Vines, too.
Despite the many delicious creations, none of them have had the impact or longevity of Red Vines. The modern flavour is a blend of different berries, as opposed to solely raspberry like the first version, but otherwise the recipe and process is the same as it always has been. It doesn’t matter where they are, Red Vines are classic American sweets that shoppers can’t help but be drawn to. Perhaps this is because they look the part as well as tasting it! Obviously, they’re an ideal inclusion for any American candy shop, but they’re also a great option to test the water with if you’re thinking of adding an American section to your store.
The Red Vines brand makes up part of the range of American wholesale sweets exclusively available in the UK through Hancocks. Alongside them, you’ll find Warheads, Twinkies, Sour Punch, the Tootsie family and Mega Marshmallows among other trans-Atlantic delights.
As popular and desirable as all American candy is, there are certain food legislations that you need to comply with to legally sell them in the UK. Here at Hancocks, we ensure that all of the American lines we sell are completely legal, relabelling them ourselves to correspond with UK requirements. So, when you buy American bulk sweets with us, you know that you’re getting a legitimate product that is fully compliant with the UK market. If you have any questions about Red Vines or any other American sweets, reach out to our team who will gladly help you out!
