The first Bassetts sweets were made in 1842 when George Bassett founded his confectionery company in Sheffield, England. Bassett's Liquorice Allsorts were created by accident in 1899, when accident-prone salesman Charlie Thompson tripped up, mixing up all the different sweets he was carrying, creating the weird and wonderful mix of sweets that we know and love today as Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts. Bertie Bassett, the company symbol made from Liquorice Allsorts, took his first steps in 1929.
When Jelly Babies were launched in 1918 to celebrate the end of World War I, Bassett's called them "Peace Babies". Shortage of raw materials stopped production during the Second World War, but was resumed in 1953 when the sweets became known as Jelly Babies.
Over the years, many other favourite sweets were brought into the Bassett’s fold, including Murray Mints and Clarnico Mint Creams. In 1989 Bassetts itself became part of the Cadbury family.
More recently in 2004, Allsorts went beyond Liquorice with the launch of Bassetts Fruit Allsorts. The Allsorts packs were dramatically redesigned in 2007. Bassetts Allsorts and Bassetts Babies are made only with Natural colours and flavours.
Quick Facts
Bassett's Liquorice Allsorts were created by accident in 1899, when Charlie Thompson, a salesman for Bassett's visited a wholesaler with a sample of liquorice and cream paste specialities - chips, rocks, Buttons, nuggets, plugs and twists. Each item was offered to the wholesaler and in turn was refused. The salesman clumsily gathered his samples boxes together, knocking them over and spilling the colourful sweets on the counter. The wholesaler saw more attraction in the 'mixed' sweets and placed an order. The salesman named them Liquorice Allsorts.
When Jelly Babies were launched in 1918 to celebrate the end of World War I, Bassett's called them "Peace Babies". Shortage of raw materials stopped production during the Second World War, but was resumed in 1953 when the sweets became known as Jelly Babies.
Bassett's three most important varieties are: Liquorice Allsorts, Jelly Babies and Wine Gums. Also greatly enjoyed are Bassett's Bags in a number of well-known flavours including American Hard Gums, Murray Mints, Sherbet Lemons, Pear Drops, Everton Mints, Imperials, Mint Creams, and Fruit, Lemon, Strawberry or Toffee Bon Bons.