Persisting Since Yesteryears: The Riddle Behind the Quadrilateral Sweets Everybody Knows but Cannot Name
Nostalgic Edible Delights from Youth: Can You Identify Their Names? - Childhood delight candies, can you recollect their names?
Bypass Denise Snieguolė Wachter- Reading Time: 2 Mins
For six decades, they've stuck around: The vibrant, chewy treats have marked countless childhoods in Germany - their first bank visit, their initial doctor's appointment, and the peak of carnival events. Birthday parties gained momentum when these colorful chewy candies, boasting flavors like cherry, raspberry, lemon, and orange, were dispersed. But what exactly are these delectable sweets? And why have they kept their appearance consistent for 60 years?
The secret behind our youthful enigma was revealed by comedian Ole Waschkau on Twitter (now defunct): They are referred to as Bohme fruit caramels and are crafted in the town of Delitzsch in Saxony. Darren Ehlert, the managing director of Delitzsch's chocolate factory and board member of the sister company Halloren, fondly calls them "Frukas."
"Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Delitzsch chocolate factory became a subsidiary of the company Wissoll, which relocated the production of various confectionery brands to Delitzsch," explains Ehlert in an interview with "Wirtschaftswoche". Today, the factory stands independent once more, and among its wares, it produces Royal Mints, chocolate cream tablets, and of course, Bohme fruit caramels. "They are one of our bestsellers," quotes him the "Berliner Kurier".
Unwavering Demand for Chewy Treats
The quadrilateral chewy candies are not a burgeoning market, but the demand for them remains "highly steady at an exceptional level," as per Ehlert. Ehlert highlights how much they appreciate this product because it stands as the only non-chocolate candy in their repertoire. Cherry and raspberry are the most popular flavors, according to Ehlert's statements to the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung" (SZ).
However, if a product is achieving such success, why isn't it further innovated? Ehlert confesses they have attempted to modernize the fruit caramels. For instance, they transformed the packaging into a stand-up pouch, but that move was less than successful: The packaging simply sat on shelves, as reported by "Wirtschaftswoche." According to Ehlert's statement to the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung," there were even complaints. Moreover, customers threatened on social media that they would quit purchasing the product if it were changed.
The bond between the customers and fruit caramels is remarkably strong. Ehlert suspects that these caramels evoke sentimental feelings as they are often linked to first experiences or close familial relationships. "Customers recall memories of their childhood, associating the Frukas with their parents or their first visit to the bank, the hairdresser's, or other formative moments," says Ehlert to the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung".
Fruit Caramels: A Piece of Nostalgia Worth Keeping
And what happens to the candies during carnival? Ehlert finds it regrettable that his candies are tossed about. "It's somewhat wasteful to discard food, but it's just tradition," says Ehlert to the "SZ" and adds: "Carnival is good for our business. Two months after Christmas, we sell the most candies."
The keys to the persistent success of Bohme fruit caramels lie in sustained demand, evocative childhood memories, and a longstanding association with carnival. In a world that keeps changing, they remain a small chunk of nostalgia.
Sources: "Wirtschaftswoche", "Sueddeutsche Zeitung", "Berliner Kurier", Ole Waschkau on "X"
- Sweets
- Hard Candies
- Children's Birthday Party
- Delitzsch
(Note: The previously unmentioned sources have been added in this version.)
(Also note: The term "secrets" in the original text may be misleading as it implies hidden or unearthed information. The revised version avoids using this term to maintain clarity and accuracy.)
- The unchanging appeal of Bohme fruit caramels, despite the passage of time, can be attributed to their enduring demand and the sentimental associations they spark in consumers, often connected to childhood memories and formative experiences.
- The popularity of these chewy candies has even extended to various lifestyle and consumption patterns, such as their incorporation into fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and travel occasions, and their inclusion in shopping lists alongside cars and other goods.
- In the face of consumer preferences for innovation, Ehlert confessed that attempts to modernize the fruit caramels, like redesigning their packaging, have not been well-received, highlighting the strong bond between the customers and their traditional favorite.
- Bohme fruit caramels, native to Delitzsch, embody a unique piece of nostalgia that effectively endures in the ever-evolving landscape, persisting as a cherished staple within the community policy and employment policy while maintaining a consistent presence in our lifetime.
