We all know we shouldn’t over-indulge, but sometimes the lure of a sugar-coated treat is too great to resist.
Sweets are essential for evenings spent cocooned in the cinema or relaxed nights at home. Few of us don’t enjoy a meander down the sweet section of our local supermarket in search of a sugar hit. Yet for vegans, this experience is far more taxing.
Sweets and veganism don’t have the strongest rapport. Many sugar-soaked recipes contain gelatine, an animal-based product used to set jellies, custards and fillings. This use of animal collagen dates back centuries and was only called into question in the last decade or so.
Sugary snacks are particularly nostalgic bites for Brits. Confectionary harkens back to the Tudor era when jelly was incorporated into candy recipes. Sweets became a beacon of British snack culture, with pear drops, sherbet lemons, fruit gums and divisive Liquorice All Sorts originating from the Victorian period.
Growing concerns for animal welfare and the health of the planet have caused many consumers to opt for plant-based products. As of 2022, the global vegan confectionery market size was valued at $1.23 billion (£961,085,100) according to Grand View Research. These numbers continue to grow. Datam Intelligence predicts the market will witness lucrative growth by 2030, reaching a value of approximately $5.8 billion (£4,531,192,000) by 2030.
Major brands including Percy Pig and Fruitella have adopted vegan recipes, broadening their consumer market and promoting animal rights. Plant-based sweets also have a lower carbon footprint because vegan products don't require animal fertiliser which decreases soil fertility and uses up arable land. Instead, brands use ingredients such as coconut oil to mirror the consistency of ‘regular’ non-plant-based sweets. Plus - no animal testing occurs in the creation of vegan products. A win-win for everyone.
As with all foods, sweets should be consumed in moderation due to their high sugar quantities. A common misconception is that all vegan foods are healthy which is sadly not the case.
Prepare for your next moment of sweet escape with a selection of vegan treats to tickle the taste buds. Health kicks are all well and good, but nothing quite compares to the burst of sweetness that comes from a Fruit Pastille, Starburst or strawberry lace when the cravings arise.
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Candy Kittens Vegan Sweets Gift Box
Candy Kittens are a firm favourite among vegan sweet tooths. Jamie Laing’s confectionary company boasts a tempting array of treats, spanning flavours such as strawberry, sour watermelon and Eton mess. Share this gift box with friends and family or save up for when the cravings come calling.
Buy now £10.36, Amazon
Sweets in the City British Sweetshop Classics
Spoil yourself and your loved ones with some classic British sweets. This lavish jar holds a variety of all the favourites, from flying saucers to fizzy cola bottles.
Buy now £9.50, Waitrose
M&S Percy Pig Fruit Gums
Does it get better than a Percy Pig? We think not. The M&S shelf staple is the peak of British cuisine. The sweets have embraced a new vegan recipe, making them edible for all.
Buy now £2.00, M&S
Starburst Vegan Chewy Sweets Fruit Flavoured Pouch Bag
Nothing encapsulates childhood like the taste of Starburst. Sink your teeth into delightedly chewy textures and notes of apple, strawberry, lime among other sentimental flavours.
Buy now £1.25, Sainsbury's
Jealous Sweets Grizzly Bears Plant-based Gummy Sweets
Real eco-warriors will adore Jealous Sweet’s offering. These grizzly gummies are plant-based, gluten-free, and made with real fruit juices. Plus, they feature no trace of palm oil or synthetic ingredients. Add to bag.
Buy now £2.00, Ocado
Skittles Fruits Vegan Chewy Sweets
Whether you’re team red or team purple, there’s no denying that Skittles are a failsafe pick. Sprinkle yours among popcorn (a highly underrated cinema hack) or munch as they are.
Buy now £1.25, Tesco
Ask Mummy and Daddy Vegan Sweet Selection
Encourage friends and family to experiment with veganism. This colourful sweet selection is brimming with flavours in all shapes and sizes. Indulge in fun, fizzing flavours and sublime sour sensations.
Buy now £7.25, Fenwick
Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles Sweets Sharing Bag
We have plenty to thank Rowntree’s for, especially the Fruit Pastille. The sweets have been a wildly popular pick for Brits since the Victorian era. A crystallised sugar-coated exterior encases a soft, chewy core which is packed with fruity flavour.
Buy now £1.50, Tesco
Tesco Strawberry Laces
No matter how old you are, the thrill of a strawberry lace never fades. Dive into some spaghetti-shaped strawberry sweetness when you fancy a sweet treat after a long day of work.
Buy now £0.70, Tesco
Rowntree's Tropical Tots Vegan Friendly Sweets Sharing Bag
A new one to taste test, Rowntree's Tropical Tots are for those pining after a taste of summer. Passion fruit, peach, pineapple, grapefruit and mango flavours make for a flavourful experience reminiscent of summers spent lounging beachside.
Buy now £1.50, Sainsbury's
