Aged Fruit Sweets: Few Recognize the Brand Name - Timeless Fruit Caramels: Rarity of Recognition: Few Recall the Brand Name
Unveiling the Mystery: The Iconic German Candy With a 60-Year-Old Design
By Denise Snieguolė Wachter
For six decades, a vibrant and cherished candy has graced the childhood of countless Germans, making appearances at milestones, celebrations, and beloved traditions. This memory-laden candy, yet unnamed by many, comes in square, colorful shapes and is available in flavors of cherry, raspberry, lemon, and orange. But why exactly is this iconic sweet so elusive in name, and how has it maintained its timeless design for six decades?
Recently, the enigma behind this sweet nostalgia was unraveled by comedian Ole Waschkau on Twitter: the candies are known as Bohme Fruit Caramels, produced in the Saxon town of Delitzsch. Darren Ehlert, Managing Director of the Delitzsch Chocolate Factory and a member of the sister company Halloren, affectionately refers to them as "Frukas."
Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Delitzsch Chocolate Factory became a subsidiary of Wissoll, a company that relocated the production of various confectionery brands to Delitzsch. Today, the chocolate factory has reclaimed its independence and continues to produce such favorites as Royal Mints, chocolate cream tablets, and, of course, Bohme Fruit Caramels—a best-selling item in their product line [1][2].
The demand for these square candies may not be growing, but it remains stable at a high level, according to Ehlert. The "Frukas" stand apart in Ehlert's product portfolio as they are the sole non-chocolate sweet among their offerings. Cherry and raspberry are by far the most preferred flavors [3].
So why aren't these candies further developed or modernized? Ehlert reveals that attempts were made in the past to modernize the fruit caramels, such as altering the packaging. However, these changes were met with customer disapproval, and social media threats of boycotts if the product were altered. The bond between customers and the fruit caramels appears to be substantial, with many connecting the candies to their childhood memories, their first experiences, and close familial relationships [4].
During carnival celebrations, these caramels take on an additional role as they are often used as throwable treats. Ehlert acknowledges the waste but views it as a cherished tradition, and sales surge after the holiday season [5].
As the world continues its swift pace of change, Bohme Fruit Caramels remain a powerful emblem of sweet, enduring nostalgia.
Sources: "Wirtschaftswoche," "Sueddeutsche Zeitung," "Berliner Kurier," Ole Waschkau on Twitter
- Relevant Enrichment Data:
- Popular German chewy candies like gummy bears (Haribo) and Fritt (fruit chews) are items with a strong childhood memory factor.
- Fritt is a flat German fruit chew similar in texture to Starburst or Now & Later.
- Ritter Sport is a well-known German chocolate brand with a square shape, but it is chocolate, not chewy candy.
- There is no prominent, 60-year-old, square, colorful chewy candy brand in Germany with a strong association to childhood. It is essential to check the name or shape for accuracy, as many German chewy candies are not square.
The iconic German candy, Bohme Fruit Caramels, with a design over six decades old, showcases an interesting dichotomy amidst a rapidly changing world – a timeless relic in the vastly modern fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden lifestyles. Despite several attempts to modernize the candy through modifications in packaging, the community's response led to a reaffirmation of the classic policy, suggesting a profound emotional connection with the caramels as part of their lifestyle and cherished traditions.
