What are the ingredients in Mambas?

October 17, 2025 •

4 min read

The popular fruit chew brand Mamba has been on the market in Germany since 1953, featuring a signature chewy texture and intense fruit flavor. So, what are the ingredients in Mambas that create this classic treat? This chewy candy is made from a blend of sweeteners, fats, and flavoring agents, and it's important to know that ingredient lists can vary slightly depending on the product line and region.

Quick Summary

Mambas contain a base of sugar, glucose syrup, and palm oil, combined with humectant sorbitol, flavoring agents, and coloring concentrates. Certain varieties also include gelatin, and wheat is a common allergen.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: Mambas are primarily made with sugar, glucose syrup, and palm oil to create their sweet and chewy consistency.
Gelatin Addition: Newer formulations of Mamba include gelatin, which was added to improve the chewing intensity and taste.
Wheat Warning: Standard Mamba fruit chews contain glucose syrup derived from wheat or corn, making them an allergen concern for those with celiac disease or wheat allergies.
Coloring: The vibrant colors come from natural concentrates, such as black carrot and turmeric, rather than synthetic dyes.
Flavor Variation: Different Mamba product lines, like Tropics or Sour varieties, have slightly altered ingredient lists to achieve their unique flavor profiles.
German Origin: The candy is manufactured by Storck in Germany, a fact that contributes to its global appeal and consistent quality.

The Core Ingredients of Mamba Fruit Chews

At the heart of every Mamba candy is a consistent foundation of ingredients that give it its signature sweet and chewy profile. The primary components include sugar and glucose syrup, which serve as the main sweeteners and structural base for the candy. Glucose syrup, often derived from wheat or corn, plays a crucial role in preventing crystallization, which helps maintain the candy's smooth, non-gritty texture. In contrast, regular table sugar provides the core sweetness.

Another key ingredient is palm oil, a vegetable oil used to give the fruit chew its softness and prevent stickiness. The candy also includes a humectant, sorbitol syrup, which helps retain moisture and further contributes to its chewy texture. The blend of these foundational ingredients creates the distinctively soft and long-lasting chew that Mamba is known for.

Flavoring and Coloring Agents

Mambas are famous for their vibrant fruit flavors and colors. To achieve these, the candy relies on a combination of natural and artificial flavors. For the coloring, Mamba uses concentrates from sources like black carrot juice and turmeric extract. Spirulina extract and black currant powder are also common colorings found in specific product variations like the Fruit Chews Chewy Candy. The specific colors and flavors will vary depending on the particular fruit chew being produced.

The Role of Gelatin and Potential Allergens

For many years, Mamba was known for not containing gelatin, making it a popular choice for some dietary preferences. However, the manufacturer, Storck, has since updated its recipe for some Mamba products to include gelatin (derived from beef) to improve the taste and chewing intensity. It is important to check the specific product packaging, as ingredient lists can vary. The Mamba website confirmed that newer formulations include gelatin based on consumer preference.

A significant allergen to be aware of is wheat. The glucose syrup in many Mamba varieties is derived from wheat or corn. The official Mamba website and retailers like H-E-B explicitly state, "Contains Wheat" in their allergy information for most standard fruit chew products. This is a critical detail for individuals with celiac disease or a wheat allergy. The company has clarified that while the products contain wheat, they are also gluten-free based on the final, highly refined product.

Mamba vs. Starburst: A Chewy Candy Comparison


Feature	Mamba Fruit Chews	Starburst Fruit Chews
Core Sweeteners	Sugar, Glucose Syrup (from wheat/corn)	Corn Syrup, Sugar
Chewing Agent	Gelatin (in recent recipes), Sorbitol	Confectioner's Glaze, Carnauba Wax	Note: older Mamba versions did not have gelatin
Texture	Softer, less waxy texture	Often described as tougher, chewier, and waxy
Colors/Flavors	Made with both natural and artificial flavors; uses fruit/vegetable concentrates for color	Uses artificial flavors and synthetic colors like Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1
Allergens	Contains wheat, as the glucose syrup is wheat-derived.	May contain eggs and soy depending on the product.
Vegan Status	Not vegan (contains gelatin in newer formulations).	Not vegan (contains gelatin and confectioner's glaze in most standard chews).

A Closer Look at Mamba Variations

Beyond the standard Mamba fruit chews, other product lines offer slightly different ingredient profiles to achieve unique flavors or textures. For instance, the Mamba Magic Sticks and Tropics lines may contain additional or different coloring and flavoring agents to match their specific fruit combinations.

Mamba Magic Sticks often contain similar base ingredients but add unique flavor and color combinations like mango-orange, peach-passionfruit, and apple-kiwi.
Sour Mambas use additional ingredients like malic acid and a sour sugar coating to create a tangy flavor profile.
Older Mamba recipes may use a different emulsifier, such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, and a different antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol.

Where are Mambas made?

Storck, the manufacturer of Mambas, produces the chewy candies in Germany. This has been the case for decades, contributing to the candy's consistent quality and distinct profile.

Conclusion: Unwrapping the Flavor of Mambas

In conclusion, the ingredients in Mambas are a careful blend of common confectionery components designed to deliver a long-lasting, fruity, and chewy experience. The core formula consists of sugar, glucose syrup, palm oil, and sorbitol, with vibrant colors from natural concentrates like black carrot and turmeric. The inclusion of gelatin in more recent recipes is a key change to be aware of, especially for individuals with dietary restrictions. As with any food product, especially those with potential allergens like wheat, checking the specific product's packaging for the most accurate and up-to-date ingredient information is always the best practice. This knowledge allows consumers to make informed choices about their favorite fruit chew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Despite the glucose syrup being derived from wheat or corn, the Canadian manufacturer, Storck, states that Mamba products are gluten-free, as the final ingredient is highly refined and contains no gluten protein.

No, Mamba candies are not vegan. Newer recipes for the fruit chews include gelatin, which is derived from animals.

While the standard Mamba fruit chews have been updated to include gelatin, some specific products or older formulations might differ. The safest way to know is to check the ingredient list on the specific product packaging.

Mamba's newer recipes contain gelatin and often use natural concentrates for color, whereas Starburst typically uses confectioner's glaze (shellac) and often relies on artificial colors.

Based on standard formulations, Mamba fruit chews are not made with tree nuts or peanuts. However, cross-contamination is always a possibility in a manufacturing facility, so those with severe allergies should exercise caution and read the product label carefully.

Mamba candies are made by Storck, a confectionery company based in Germany.

The chewy texture of Mambas comes from a combination of ingredients, including glucose syrup, palm oil, and sorbitol, along with the gelatin used in recent reformulations.

The primary allergens in Mamba fruit chews are wheat and, in newer versions, beef gelatin. Allergic reactions are possible, so checking the ingredient list is advised.