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The Intriguing History of Aniseed Balls

Berrymans Sweets |

If you love retro sweets from your childhood, then you probably enjoy the wonderfully nostalgic taste of warm and sweet aniseed balls, with that all-important spicy aniseed kick. Here at Berrymans we're proud to make aniseed sweets just the way you remember them, packed with full and rich flavour. We use real sugar and quality ingredients to make small batches of handmade sweets in huge bubbling copper pots at our factory in Lancashire, and we work to tried and tested traditional recipes so you really will taste your childhood again. But what is it about aniseed balls that endures so well and makes these candies so endlessly popular? Let's look at who invented aniseed balls, consider their history and uncover other sweets that aniseed fans are bound to love.

What are aniseed balls made of?

Aniseed balls are made with plenty of sugar and aniseed flavour. Some recipes use aniseed root, spices and herbs, and we use real ingredients to create the traditional rich and complex sweet that fans love today. Of course, not everyone loves liquorice, and this flavour can be an acquired taste, but we find that our aniseed sweets are incredibly popular with everyone, with their beautiful deep red shells, perfect spheres and deliciously sugary, crunchy interior packed with deep, rich flavour. You'll never find an insipid sweet at Berrymans as we pride ourselves on sweets just as you remember them. What's more, our aniseed sweets are vegan-friendly, gelatine-free, gluten-free and dairy-free, making them ideal for a range of special diets.

What is the history of aniseed balls?

In terms of the history of aniseed balls, as with most sweets, it's a meandering path into the past! Aniseed has actually been used as a flavour since the ancient Romans, who used it because the root itself was known to quench thirst. Liquorice plant has also long been used for medicinal reasons and traditionally in folk medicine to soothe toothaches and help with stomach complaints. The flavour of the root was so publicly familiar, that it was a logical leap for it to appear in candies. The flavouring was made even more enjoyable by the early addition of herbs and warming spices, so although we don't know where the first recipes came from, we know that they evolved over centuries.

Who invented aniseed balls?

Again, no one knows, but aniseed balls became very popular in the war and were actually associated with supporting the war effort. They were included in soldier's rations because they didn't melt and were incredibly hard and durable. They could also be sucked and enjoyed for long periods of time and were ideal for carrying in pockets and bags. They became part of the public's support of the war effort and were one of the few types of sweets accessible at a time when very few treats were available.

What other types of aniseed sweets are there?

Aniseed balls are just one type of our top-selling range of aniseed sweets, and we always get requests for these at our factory. In fact, aniseed sweets are one of our top selling lines, and we think it's because we absolutely pack them with flavour - unlike sweets you might get on the high street. If you like aniseed balls then why not try one of our other delicious aniseed sweets too? We also make our own aniseed twists, aniseed rock, kopp kops and liquorice and aniseed candies, exactly as you remember them from childhood.

Discover the Berrymans difference

We make all of our own sweets using traditional recipes and real ingredients, right here in Lancashire, and our team of confectioners takes absolute pride in perfect work! You'll really taste the difference when you choose our original and authentic sweets, and we sell our candies in traditional-style confectionery jars, too, for that authentic touch. Enjoy free delivery on all orders and the peace of mind that everything is covered by the Berrymans Promise. Why not find out why our customers have rated us 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot? Once you've tried a Berrymans sweet and experienced our service, we know you'll never go back to half-hearted confectionery on the high street!