People are only just realising what wine gums are REALLY made of and it’s not what you’d think
PEOPLE are only just realising what wine gums are really made of – and it’s not what you’d think.
They have been a UK staple since they were first released over a century ago, but there is a common misconception about the ingredients.
The sweets were originally produced by Charles Gordon Maynard and his father Charles Riley Maynard, who ran a sweet shop in Stamford Hill, North London.
They were launched in 1909 and have made tens of millions of pounds in profit as they became a firm favourite amongst Brits and throughout the Commonwealth.
However, despite their name and the fact that each is labelled with words like sherry or port, the gums actually contain no alcohol.
The name derives from the fact that C.G. Maynard wanted them to have a more refined flavour than other sweets and designed them to be savoured like wine.
The fact that his father was a strict Methodist and teetotaler meant there was no question of wine actually being used in the production of the treats.
Instead, they were meant to be confectionaries for adults, with less sugar and richer flavours while also offering an alternative to alcohol.
They are made simply out of sugar, gelatine, cornstarch, water and flavourings.
Wine gums are still made by Maynards, as well as several other producers.
They remain popular internationally, including in the UK, Canada, South Africa and Ireland.