Nutrition Diet: Unpacking What are the Ingredients in Fizzy Cherries?

November 11, 2025 •

2 min read

According to typical nutritional values, over 58g of sugar can be found in just 100g of some fizzy cherries, highlighting the high sugar content beneath the tangy coating. Unpacking what are the ingredients in fizzy cherries shows they are composed mainly of sweeteners, starches, and a blend of acids for that signature sour fizz.

Quick Summary

Fizzy cherries are composed of a base of sugar, glucose syrup, and starch, along with acids like citric and malic acid for their sour taste. The texture is created using modified starch or gelatine, and the candy's vibrant color comes from either artificial dyes or natural concentrates. The high sugar content is a primary nutritional consideration.

Key Points

High Sugar Content: Fizzy cherries are primarily composed of sugar and glucose syrup, with a very high sugar-to-weight ratio.
Acids Create Sour Fizz: The tangy and fizzy sensation comes from a blend of acids like citric and malic acid, along with acidity regulators like sodium hydrogen carbonate.
Vegan Options Exist: Some fizzy cherries use modified starch as a gelling agent, while others use animal-derived gelatine. Check the ingredients for specific details.
Colors and Flavors Vary: Manufacturers use either artificial food colorings (e.g., E129) or natural plant and vegetable concentrates (e.g., black carrot) for color.
Empty Calories: From a nutrition diet perspective, these candies provide a high amount of carbohydrates and sugar with minimal to no essential nutrients, fiber, or protein.
Healthier Alternatives: Real fruit, fruit-infused water, and homemade gummies are excellent ways to satisfy a sweet and tart craving with better nutritional benefits.
Check Labels for Additives: The ingredients list will specify whether additives like artificial colors or preservatives are used. E-numbers indicate food additives.

The Core Ingredients and Manufacturing of Fizzy Cherries

Fizzy cherry candies generally contain sweeteners, starches, acids, flavorings, and colorings. The specific ingredients can vary between brands, especially concerning the gelling agent, which determines if the candy is suitable for vegans.

Sweeteners and Bulk

The main ingredients are typically sweeteners such as sugar and glucose syrup. Starches like wheat or corn starch act as bulking and thickening agents, contributing to the chewy texture. Water is also used in the manufacturing process.

The Acids that Create the 'Fizz' and 'Sour'

The sour and fizzy sensation is achieved through a combination of acids and acidity regulators. Common acids include citric acid (E330), malic acid (E296), and lactic acid (E270). Acidity regulators like sodium malates and sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda) help control acidity and create the fizz.

Colors and Flavors: Natural vs. Artificial

Flavorings provide the cherry taste, which can be artificial or from concentrates like black carrot. Colorings come from artificial dyes such as E129 and E133, or natural concentrates like spirulina or black carrot juice.

Comparing Fizzy Cherry Candy Types

Differences exist in fizzy cherry ingredients, particularly between vegan and non-vegan versions.

Nutritional and Dietary Considerations

Fizzy cherries are a high-sugar food, offering minimal nutrients. Their high sugar and carbohydrate content contribute significantly to caloric intake without providing essential vitamins, minerals, or fiber. Consuming high-sugar foods frequently can lead to various health issues.

Healthier Alternatives for a Nutrition Diet

For those seeking lower-sugar options, several alternatives can satisfy a sweet or tangy craving using whole foods and natural sweeteners:

Fruit-infused sparkling water: Combine sparkling water with fresh or frozen cherries and lemon for a sugar-free, hydrating option.
Dried fruit: Unsweetened dried cherries provide concentrated sweetness and tartness, along with fiber and antioxidants, but be mindful of portion sizes.
Homemade fruit gummies: Making gummies with real fruit juice and a thickener like agar-agar or gelatine allows control over added sugar.
Kombucha: This fermented tea offers a tangy, fizzy drink with potential gut health benefits.

Conclusion

Fizzy cherries primarily consist of sweeteners, acids, starches, and flavorings, delivering a strong sour and sweet taste. However, their high sugar content and additives mean they lack nutritional value. Understanding these ingredients helps in making informed dietary choices and exploring healthier alternatives like real fruit or naturally flavored drinks. For more information on food additives like citric acid, refer to resources like the {Link: Healthline article https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/citric-acid}.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all fizzy cherries are vegan or vegetarian. Some brands use animal-derived gelatine as a gelling agent, while others use plant-based starches. It is important to check the product's ingredients label to be certain.

The sourness in fizzy cherries comes primarily from a coating or mixture of organic acids, most commonly citric acid and malic acid. These acids are also responsible for enhancing the fruit flavor.

The fizzy effect is created by an acid-base reaction. The candy typically contains both an acid (like citric acid) and a base (like sodium hydrogen carbonate). When the candy dissolves on your tongue, the two react to create bubbles of carbon dioxide gas, producing the fizz.

No, fizzy cherries are not a healthy snack. They are very high in sugar and provide minimal to no nutritional value, fiber, or protein. They are best considered an occasional treat rather than a regular part of a diet.

Coloring agents can vary. Some products use artificial dyes identified by E-numbers, such as E129 and E133. Other brands use natural vegetable and plant concentrates like black carrot, spirulina, or safflower for a more natural color.

Healthier alternatives include eating real fruit like fresh cherries, making fruit-infused water with frozen fruit, or trying low-sugar fermented drinks like kombucha. You can also make homemade fruit gummies to control the ingredients.

Glucose syrup is a liquid sweetener used alongside sugar to control the candy's texture and prevent it from becoming hard or grainy. It also adds to the bulk and sweetness of the finished product.