Few sweets inspire the same instant smile as Haribo. From childhood pick-and-mix rituals to late-night movie snacks, Haribo sweets have earned a permanent place in global candy culture. Known for their chewy texture, bold flavours, and iconic Goldbears, Haribo has grown from a small family business into one of the world’s most recognisable confectionery brands.
In this article, we explore the history of Haribo, their most popular sweets, and some fun facts that make Haribo more than just a bag of gummies.
A Brief History of Haribo
Haribo was founded in 1920 in Bonn, Germany, by Hans Riegel Sr. The company name “Haribo” is an acronym formed from HAns RIegel BOnn. What began in a small kitchen with basic ingredients quickly turned into a confectionery revolution.
In 1922, Haribo introduced the original Gummy Bear, inspired by trained dancing bears popular at German festivals at the time. These early bears were larger and softer than the Goldbears we know today, but they laid the foundation for a global sweet sensation.
Despite economic hardship and war in the early 20th century, Haribo survived and expanded rapidly during the post-war years. Today, Haribo operates in over 100 countries, producing billions of sweets annually and remaining a family-owned company more than a century later.
Haribo’s Most Popular Sweets
Haribo offers hundreds of varieties worldwide, but a few iconic products stand out as fan favourites.
Haribo Goldbears
The undisputed classic. Goldbears are the original gummy bears and remain Haribo’s best-selling product globally. Available in multiple fruit flavours, they’re instantly recognisable by their bear shape and signature chew.
Haribo Starmix
A mix of Haribo’s greatest hits, Starmix includes hearts, rings, bears, eggs, and cola bottles. It’s perfect for indecisive sweet lovers who want variety in every handful.
Haribo Tangfastics
For those who prefer a sour kick, Tangfastics deliver bold flavours with fizzy sugar coatings. They’re especially popular in the UK and have developed a cult following.
Haribo Cola Bottles
One of Haribo’s most nostalgic sweets, Cola Bottles combine a fizzy cola flavour with a soft gummy texture. They’ve been a pick-and-mix staple for decades.
Haribo Twin Snakes
These dual-flavoured snakes pair sweet and sour gummies twisted together, making them as fun to eat as they are tasty.
Fun Facts About Haribo
• Haribo produces over 100 million gummy bears every day worldwide.
• The famous slogan “Kids and grown-ups love it so” has been translated into dozens of languages.
• In Germany, Haribo Goldbears are called Goldbären, and flavours can differ slightly by country.
• Haribo remains family-owned, now run by the third generation of the Riegel family.
• The texture of Haribo sweets comes from a carefully controlled cooking and cooling process that gives them their distinctive chew.
• Haribo adjusts flavours to suit regional tastes, meaning Goldbears in one country may taste slightly different from those elsewhere 🌍
Why Haribo Sweets Remain So Popular
Haribo’s success lies in its ability to blend tradition with innovation. While classics like Goldbears remain unchanged, the brand continues to release new shapes, flavours, and limited editions to keep things fresh. Add consistent quality, playful branding, and universal appeal, and it’s easy to see why wholesale Haribo sweets have stood the test of time.
Whether you love fruity gummies, sour treats, or nostalgic classics, Haribo offers something for every sweet tooth.
Final Thoughts
Haribo isn’t just a sweet brand, it’s a global icon of joy, flavour, and fun. With over a century of history and a future just as colourful, Haribo continues to prove that some ideas are truly timeless.
So next time you open a bag of Haribo, remember you’re tasting a little piece of confectionery history 🍭