The iconic Refreshers candy, with its unique fruity flavor and fizzy center, is a beloved treat with a history dating back decades. However, pinpointing the exact ingredients can be tricky, as two major brands—Swizzels and Barratt (now part of Valeo Foods)—produce different versions of this sweet. While both deliver a tangy, zesty experience, their recipes, and therefore their ingredients, are not the same.
Swizzels Refresher Chew Bars
Swizzels, a British confectionery company, produces the classic Refresher chew bar, known for its soft, chewy exterior and fizzy sherbet center. The ingredients for their Lemon Refresher Chew Bar include:
- Glucose Syrup: A sugar-based syrup that forms the chewy body of the sweet.
- Sugar: A primary sweetener.
- Vegetable Oil (Palm, Palm Kernel): Contributes to the texture and consistency of the chew.
- Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid: Provides the tangy, sour kick.
- Modified Starch: Helps to bind the ingredients and create the chew's structure.
- Anti-caking Agents (Stearic Acid, Magnesium Carbonate, Magnesium Stearate): Prevents the powdery sherbet center from clumping.
- Flavourings: Gives the chew its signature flavor, such as lemon or strawberry.
- Lysed Soya Protein: An ingredient derived from soy, which may require an allergy warning.
- Emulsifier: Glycerol Mono Stearate: Helps to blend the fats and water-based ingredients smoothly.
- Colour: Lutein: A natural pigment used for coloring.
Barratt Refresher Fizzy Sweets
Barratt, an older brand, created the original Refresher fizzy sweets, which are small, compressed tablets rather than chew bars. These sweets are more powdery and feature a different set of ingredients:
- Sugar: The main component, providing sweetness.
- Acid (Malic Acid): A key ingredient responsible for the sharp, tart flavor.
- Acidity Regulator (Sodium Bicarbonate): Creates the distinctive fizzing sensation when it reacts with the malic acid in the mouth.
- Glucose Syrup / Maltose Syrup: Found in some variations as a binder and sweetener.
- Stabiliser (E470b): An emulsifier used to maintain the candy's structure.
- Vegetable Fats (Shea, Coconut): Contribute to the texture.
- Maltodextrin: A carbohydrate used as a thickener and flavor enhancer.
- Natural Flavourings: Used for fruit flavors like lemon and raspberry.
- Safflower Concentrate, Spirulina Concentrate, and other Colours (Curcumin, Cochineal, Paprika Extract): Provides the vibrant coloring for the sweets.
Comparison: Swizzels vs. Barratt Refreshers
| Feature | Swizzels Chew Bars | Barratt Fizzy Sweets (Rolls) |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Soft and chewy exterior with a central fizzy core. | Hard, compressed, and powdery tablet form that dissolves in the mouth with a fizzy sensation. |
| Fizzy Element | A distinct sherbet-like powder encapsulated within the chew. | The fizz is created by the direct reaction of malic acid and sodium bicarbonate throughout the sweet. |
| Primary Sweetener | Glucose Syrup and Sugar. | Sugar. |
| Allergens | Contains Soya Protein; may contain traces of milk, cereals containing gluten, nuts, and peanuts due to manufacturing. | May contain traces of WHEAT and GLUTEN in some formulations. |
| Vegetarian/Vegan | Swizzels chew bars are often vegetarian, but it's best to check the specific product label. Some varieties may be vegan. | Barratt's fizzy rolls are often labeled as vegetarian and vegan friendly. |
| Shape | Rectangular bar, often individually wrapped. | Disc-shaped, multi-colored sweets typically sold in rolls. |
The Role of Key Ingredients
Several key ingredients are responsible for the defining characteristics of both types of Refreshers. Acidity regulators like citric acid and malic acid are crucial for creating the tangy fruit flavor. The fizzy sensation comes from the chemical reaction between an acid and a base, in this case, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). The glucose or maltose syrups and vegetable fats are what give the candies their body and consistency, whether it's a soft chew or a hard tablet.
Flavourings and colorings are also essential for the complete experience. These components provide the signature fruit notes and vibrant appearance, making the candies appealing to the eye as well as the palate. For example, the Swizzels Strawberry Refresher Chew uses Anthocyanin for its color, a pigment found naturally in many red and purple fruits.
How the Ingredients Work Together
The ingredient list for any Refresher candy represents a finely tuned formula. The confectioners carefully balance the sugars for sweetness, the acids for tartness and fizz activation, and the fats for texture. For the chew bars, the soft, fatty exterior acts as a protective layer, holding the volatile fizzy sherbet center in place until you bite into it. For the fizzy tablets, the ingredients are compressed together, creating a uniform mixture that dissolves and fizzes in the mouth all at once.
Conclusion
Understanding what are the ingredients in Refreshers candy reveals that there is more to these nostalgic treats than meets the eye. The answer is not singular, as the well-known chewy bars from Swizzels have a different composition from the powdery, tablet-form fizzy rolls from Barratt. Both, however, rely on a masterful combination of sugars, acids, and a sodium bicarbonate reaction to deliver their signature zing. The variation between brands provides consumers with two distinct ways to enjoy the classic Refresher experience, each with its own unique texture and flavor profile.
Note: Ingredient lists are subject to change. Always check the packaging for the most current and accurate information, especially regarding allergens. For more information on Swizzels products, visit their official website.
