Sherbet Fountains

Sherbet fountains are a classic retro sweet that has been enjoyed by many generations. They are a fizzy, sweet powder, usually eaten by dipping a lollipop or liquorice, using a small spoon, or licking it from a finger. The original sherbet fountain was introduced in 1925 by Barratt and consisted of a yellow tube filled with white zingy sherbet and a liquorice stick poking out ¹². The packaging has undergone several changes over the years, with the famous cardboard tube being replaced with a plastic one that is designed to appeal to a new generation of youngsters ¹². The new packaging is also re-sealable which helps the sherbet fountain to stay fresher for longer.

To eat a sherbet fountain, you can either suck the sherbet through the liquorice stick/straw or knock most of the sherbet back neat and then finish the liquorice off by dipping it in the remaining sherbet ¹. Alternatively, you can bite off the top of the liquorice stick and use it as a straw to suck up the sherbet ³.

Barratts also launched a strawberry sherbet fountain. It's an alternative version of the original classic sweet that consists of a strawberry-flavoured hard gelatine candy stick which is red in color ⁶.

Sherbert tubes and sherbet licorice dip are other names which people sometimes use for the good old sherbet fountain.

Key Takeaways

The History of Sherbet Fountains

Sherbet fountains have been around since 1925 and were first introduced by Barratt. They were created as an alternative to traditional sweets and quickly became popular due to their unique taste and texture. Over the years, sherbet fountains have undergone several changes in packaging and branding but remain true to their original format.

The Ingredients of Sherbet Fountains

Sherbet fountains are made up of a tube containing sherbet powder and a liquorice dipping stick. The sherbet powder is made by mixing sugar, flavourings, and edible acid and base to create a fizzy powder that is then packaged into tubes along with liquorice sticks. The ingredients used in making sherbet fountains do not contain any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

The Nutritional Value of Sherbet Fountains

A single tube of sherbet fountain contains 90 calories, 21g of carbohydrates, 1g of fat, and 0.2g of protein. While they are not considered healthy snacks due to their high sugar content, they can be enjoyed as an occasional treat.

The Popularity of Sherbet Fountains

Sherbet fountains are still popular today and remain true to their original format albeit the branding has received a refresh or two. They are available in most sweet shops across the UK and can also be purchased online.

The Packaging of Sherbet Fountains

The packaging for sherbet fountains has undergone several changes over the years. The famous cardboard tube has been replaced with a plastic one that is designed to appeal to a new generation of youngsters. The new packaging is also re-sealable which helps the sherbet fountain to stay fresher for longer.

The Flavors of Sherbet Fountains

Sherbet fountains have been made in a variety of flavours including orange, raspberry and lime. Each flavour has its unique taste which makes them appealing to different people.

The Cultural Significance of Sherbet Fountains

Sherbet fountains have been featured in popular culture including in the British television series Doctor Who. They are also associated with childhood memories for many people who grew up eating them.

The Health Benefits of Sherbet Fountains

Sherbet fountains can help relieve symptoms of indigestion due to the presence of sodium bicarbonate in the sherbet powder. Sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline substance that can neutralize stomach acid which makes it useful for treating indigestion.

The Production Process for Sherbet Fountains

The production process for sherbet fountains involves mixing sugar, flavourings, and edible acid and base to create a fizzy powder that is then packaged into tubes along with liquorice sticks. The process is relatively simple but requires precision to ensure that each tube contains the right amount of ingredients.

Conclusion

Sherbet fountains are a classic retro sweet that has been enjoyed by many generations. They are a fizzy, sweet powder that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. In this article, we explored the history of sherbet fountains, their ingredients, nutritional value, popularity, packaging, flavours, cultural significance, health benefits, production process, and brands that make them. We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of this classic sweet and its place in British culture.

And don't forget... if you want the one with the lolly for dipping in and not the liquorice then it's the Sherbet Dip Dab that you're after... not Sherbet Fountains!