As an era of the disco, platform shoes and everything was colourful, the 1970s was a pretty amazing year. Things were funky and bands like ABBA, Elton John and the Bee Gees were topping charts and (you all knew we'd have to come back to this topic!) sweets were pretty amazing, in fact, some of our favourite sweets were from this decade.
Our experts at the Sweet Hamper Company have been taking a trip down memory lane to uncover some of 70s sweets, chocolates and candy… Although some of these varieties have been confined to the history books, you can find some of these iconic sweets in our selection of retro sweet hampers and other products on our website.
So if you fancy a taste of the past, keep reading! You'll find fizz wiz popping candy, flying saucers, black jacks and many more...
Our Favourite Sweets
Pacers
Who remembers these stripy green, minty chews? Originally launched in 1976 as a sister to the classic Opal Fruits (now Starburst) these retro sweets were sadly discontinued in the 1980s.
Did you know, the Scottish football team Celtic FC, was nicknamed ‘The Pacers’ due to the similarity between their football kit and the minty sweets?
Opal Fruits / Starburst
We can’t mention Pacers without including Opal Fruits in our 1970s sweets. These fruity chews are still available to this day, however they were rebranded to 'Starburst' in 1998.
Despite this, they haven’t lost their delicious flavour and remain one of the UK’s most popular sweets.
Anglo Bubbly
These small, round, squishy bubble gums wrapped in blue, pink and yellow are a blast from the past. One of the all time favourites of kids (and big kids) back in the 1970s, its distinctive flavour probably isn’t what you think it is… that’s right, the memorable taste of Anglo Bubbly is actually pear flavour.
Marathon Bar / Snickers
Kid’s of the 1970s will know today’s Snickers bars by their original name - Marathon.
The flavour of this chocolaty, peanutty, caramelly treat hasn’t changed over the years, and as a result, this retro chocolate bar is still loved by the younger generation, just under the new name of 'Snickers'.
Curly Wurly
Launched in 1970 and still going strong, this retro chocolate bar was created when a worker at Cadbury started experimenting with some leftover toffee.
Smothered in milk chocolate, this delectable delight is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. We've included Curly Wurlys in some of our best selling chocolate bouquets!
Milk Tray
Although this chocolate selection box has been available since 1915, in the 1970s the brand became synonymous for its ‘Milk Tray Man’ television advertisements.
Featuring a James Bond style character, the ads first appeared on our screens back in 1968. Did you know, Milk Tray has been voted as the 16th most famous confectionary in the United Kingdom?
Kola Cubes
These pick ‘n’ mix favourites were a staple of any sweet shop back in the1970s. Still available today, you’ll find Kola Cubes in selected retro sweet hampers, retro sweet boxes and other retro sweet products on the Sweet Hamper Company website.
Twix
First available in the UK back in 1967, Twix bars grew in popularity throughout the 1970s, and it's not hard to see why!
The delectable chocolate, biscuit and caramel combination is still flying off the shelves all these years later!
Spangles
Discontinued in the early 1980s, Spangles packets were instantly recognisable thanks to their distinctive 70s style branding. These boiled sweets came in a variety of flavours including liquorice, blackcurrant and acid drop.
Jelly Belly
These fantastically fruity jelly beans were first introduced as Jelly Belly in America in 1976. Since then, these candies have become the most popular jelly beans in the world and are available in over 50 different flavours.
Fizz Wiz Popping Candy
Fizz Wiz Popping Candy is a popular brand of popping candy that originated in the 1970s, during a period when novelty sweets and playful confectioneries were becoming a trend. The candy is made of small, solid pieces that "pop" or fizz when they dissolve in your mouth, creating a unique sensation as the carbon dioxide within the candy is released.
Flying Saucers
Flying Saucers are a classic retro candy that also gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s but remained a staple in the 1970s. They are known for their unique shape, colourful appearance, and distinctive texture.
The rice paper outer layer dissolves quickly on the tongue, and as you bite into it, the fizzy sherbet center releases a tangy burst of flavour. The combination of the dissolving wafer and the fizzy, tangy powder made this candy both a tactile and flavourful experience.