Author: Luke Shepperson

by Luke Shepperson

How many colours are in your candy?

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Have you ever opened a packet of sweets and wondered why there seems to be so few of your favourites? Many people often feel this way, but is it just coincidence, or plain bad luck? We bought lots of the nation’s favourite sweets and decided to put the theory to test – do you get more of certain sweets in a pack or is there an even split?

Skittles

The first sweet under investigation was skittles. We bought several packets of traditional 55g packs and counted how many of each coloured sweet you get per pack. Green was the most popular colour on average followed closely by orange. We discovered that the average packet includes 52 skittles with thirteen being green and twelve orange. Purple and red were the least common sweets in the pack with eight red skittles and seven purple. It is difficult to tell what everyone’s favourite skittles are but according to this survey by Tellwut, strawberry was top of the charts. If this is true then you are actually getting a lot less of your favourite. The same survey however did show lime to be the second favourite and we found that to be the most common.

Wine Gums

In an average 52g pack we found there to be twelve sweets on average. 25% of the pack seemed to be dedicated to the red sweets whereas we found there to be an even split between the rest. In analysing our packs we also recorded the number of all sweets in any given packet and out of twelve sweets, one packet contained seven red sweets. Our wine gum experiment seemed to show a clear favourite but does this match what the nation wants? Cadbury’s themselves reported 80% of people preferred red and black wine gums so assuming that’s true, wine gums are delivering what you want.

Fruit Pastilles

In an average 52g pack of fruit pastilles we found you get 14 sweets, split into the colours red, green, purple, yellow and orange. We found green to be the most popular with four sweets on average per pack. Green pastilles was also the most common colour in a single packet having found more than half (eight) in one packet.

Gold Bears

Haribo Gold Bears are a popular sweet choice but how do they fair in our colour comparison? A 100g bag was found to contain 43 gold bears on average and there did seem to be a more even split between the various coloured sweets. There was an even number (eight) of red, gold and green bears. White bears were close behind with bags containing seven on average – we also found the most number of white bears in a single pack.

Jelly Babies

An average 350g bag includes 45 jelly babies and on average red and yellow sweets were found to be the most common. We also found more red sweets in any single pack than any other colour so from a jelly babies point of view, if red is your favourite then your all set. If you know the stories of the jelly baby bears however this might not come of any surprise. When Cadbury Schweppes took over the brand in 1989 they gave each bear a name and character story – the red bear is called Brilliant and he is noted as leader of the gang. 

Starburst

Starburst were the sweets that had the most even split out of all the sweets we tested. In an average 192g bag, we found 43 starbursts in a pack – eleven red sweets, eleven purple sweets, eleven orange sweets and ten green sweets. All pretty much even so no evident favouritism.

So if you want a fair chance of getting your favourite coloured sweet you’re best of buying Starburst or Gold Bears. Skittles, Fruit Pastilles and Jelly Babies were found to contain more of certain colours which is great if you like their favourites. If your favourite is one of their rarer colours however your only option is to buy more sweets and hope for the best.

by Luke Shepperson

Top of the Chocs – What is the UK’s Favourite Chocolate Bar?

Nations most popular chocolate bar

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For many years, the UK’s best-selling chocolate bar has been the Dairy Milk. But – is it the nation’s favourite when it comes to taste? 

Let’s take a look…

We polled a range of different age groups with one simple question: ‘What is your favourite chocolate bar?’

The results were surprising to say the least, with Mars being the unanimous winner across all age groups, whilst Dairy Milk became increasingly less popular with older generations. 

In all age groups, men put Mars bars on top. However, women tended to prefer Galaxy – although put Mars a close second. Galaxy does not seem to be the chocolate bar of choice for men, with no age group voting it into in their ‘top 3’. 

All areas of the UK voted Mars their favourite, other than Wales who did put the best-selling Dairy Milk on top. 

Despite being voted the favourite by almost every age group in every region of the UK, Mars is just the 8th highest selling chocolate bar. 

Dairy Milk received just 5.7% of the vote – they received 15.5% when Money Saving Expert ran a similar poll in 2011. 

Sales of the product dropped by £31.2m from the years 2014 to 2015, and further drops are forecast too. 

So what are the reasons behind the rise of Mars? 

Mars UK Ltd have been busy establishing a stronghold in the market in the last few years. 

In fact, whilst sales of Mars have actually decreased, other products owned by the firm have increased sales by 1.1-8.1% – that’s the likes of Maltesers, Snickers and Galaxy. 

Are changes at Cadbury to blame for some of their decline? 

In 2010, Kraft tookover Cadbury and vowed to stick to its traditional ways. However, there have been a few things that have upset fans in recent times…

In 2010, they closed the Cadbury factory in Somerdale, that gave work to 400 jobs. This was announced by Cadbury back in 2007, but it was hoped that Kraft would keep the factory open. 

In 2012, a range of ‘Mix & Match’ products were released with varied success; Dairy Milk with Oreo, Dairy Milk with Daim, Ritz crackers…even Cadbury Philadelphia cheese. 

In 2013, the corners of Dairy Milk chunks were ’rounded’ – whilst this is assumed to be a cost-cutting measure by most (by decreasing the weight of the chocolate bar overall), Kraft/Cadbury’s official line was that it was to enhance the taste. 

Also in 2013, Bournville dark chocolates were dropped from ‘Heroes’ boxes in favour of Toblerone – another treat owned by Mondelez, who also own all of the products from the entire Cadbury mix & match range. 

In 2014, it was decided that chocolate coins would no longer be made by the company – a popular Christmas stocking filler. The company blamed a decline in sales on cheaper alternatives being more readily available.

In 2015, the Creme Egg recipe was changed so that the shell was no longer made with Dairy Milk, instead opting for a more generic cocoa recipe. In the same year, Fruit n Nut bars made the switch from raisins to sultanas. 

Can Cadbury rediscover their magic in the future? Only time will tell. As a side note, we wonder how much of a factor the chocolate in fridge debate influences the population’s chocolate choice?

by Luke Shepperson

Where is my rating plate?

Need to find out your model number, the power supply information or even the serial number of your appliance? All this handy information is listed on the appliance rating plate.

Hang on a minute…but where is my rating plate? 

So that you don’t have to look at this label all the time, when your appliance is installed at home, the rating plate is usually located discreetly somewhere on the appliance. To help you find it quickly, we have put together this handy info guide. Simply look for the correct appliance icon to find out the location of your CDA rating plate.

by Luke Shepperson

Twelve Tips of Christmas

Make a list…check it twice!

The biggest family gathering of the year, probably, can mean all kinds of stressful situations in the kitchen. If it is your turn to provide the feast, you can help the day to run smoothly by making a list. Start from your serving time and work backwards, that way you won’t miss a single party popper, present or parsnip.

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2.00pm Serve starters

1.30pm Carrots & parsnips in the oven

1.00pm Roast potatoes in

12.45pm Take turkey out to rest

12.30pm…

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Corking wine…

Just because it is a special occasion, doesn’t have to mean that the fizz has to cost a fortune. There are some fantastic alternatives to Champagne, Prosecco and Cava that are tasty, fizzy and cost a fraction of what you might think. Remember, before prosecco took off we never deviated from champers…Pignoletto could be the next big thing!

Pignoletto Frizzante wine is the quintessential Italian aperitif. With a satisfying fizz and a fruity, off-dry taste it is the perfect accompaniment to nibbles and starters.

Moscato d’Asti, also from Italy, is slightly sweeter in taste and generally low in alcohol. Not one to be dismissed, this goes perfectly with puddings and might be the pick me up that you need after a heavy lunch.

Lambrusco is one we have all heard off but rarely pick off the shelf. Light, fizzy, dry and rich on the palate this is a tantalising tipple to accompany cold meats and hors d’oeuvres- just right for that boxing day ham.

Crémants are wines that are made using the traditional champagne method, outside of the Champagne region in France. Look out for bottles featuring this label as you will be able to choose between flavours that vary depending on their region. This is a great substitute and definitely not a compromise.

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The ghost of Christmas present…

Have you been practising your ‘pleasantly surprised’ face? No one likes getting rubbish presents so why not ask everyone what they would like beforehand-and there is nothing wrong with dropping hints for your stocking either. Make Christmas easier, happier and inevitably cheaper by buying just one present that they actually want.

 

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Rocking around the Christmas tree…

So, you have eaten, filled the dishwasher twice, dropped four wine glasses, opened presents and Grandpa is now snoring. What now? Get the party started by preparing a Christmas playlist to pop on after everyone’s dinner has had a chance to go down and work off some of that brandy butter.

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Tidings we bring…

Going to your family or friend’s house for Christmas this year? Make sure you don’t arrive empty handed and sit down all day being waited upon. Telephone ahead and see if you can bring extra plates, cutlery or a chair and be prepared to get your Marigolds on-they will love you for it and you will definitely get an invite next year.

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Elf and safety…

Wine at breakfast, four times the amount of food you would normally cook sitting around the kitchen, sharp knives, dogs, children running around with their new ‘Power Rangers Dino Super Charge T-Rex Morpher’ and even a couple of sets of divorced parents to placate, Christmas cooking can get dangerous.

Ban children from the oven area during cooking, delegate jobs and take your time to stay safe this Christmas Day.

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Sleigh my name, sleigh my name…

Have some dodgy relatives? An uncle that just doesn’t know when enough wine is enough? Place names will keep you in control of some of the more predictable confrontations on Christmas Day. Sit the dodgy uncle with the raucous kids and leave Grandma to have a quiet meal with your sister.

It can even be a useful way to keep children out of the way whilst you are doing preparation on Christmas Eve as they can decorate and make name tags for the table whilst you lay the table.

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Season’s greetings…

So, your roast potatoes are not like his mum’s? So what? Don’t let Christmas past get in the way of your day. Here are some great rebuttals for all of those unhelpful Christmas crackers:

“My mum used to cook her roast potatoes in goose fat, they tasted fantastic.”

“Well, because your family has an inclination to become overweight I thought you would appreciate me cooking them in healthier rapeseed oil instead.”

 

 

“Does anyone want to help dish up the veg for me?”

Silence

“Please would someone come through to the kitchen and get some serving dishes?”

Silence

“OH GOD, the dog’s got the turkey!”

Everyone rushes to the kitchen…

“Great, thanks guys. Right, you can do carrots and you the potatoes…”

 

 

“Mum, why is his present bigger than mine?”

“You should’ve thought about that when you didn’t want to brush your teeth on 21st June.”

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All about that baste, about that baste…

It is true, and we have all tasted it, turkey can get really dry. Make sure you baste every hour and rest that turkey for at least an hour before serving. Covered in foil, it will stay piping hot and allow the meat to relax and become juicy again.

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Jingle bills…

Save money this Christmas with our money saving checklist:

  • Make the most of those supermarket money-off vouchers. Make a list and plan your food shop to coincide with getting the most use from your vouchers.
  • Delegate items to guests so that they can contribute to the big day. Offer a choice so that they feel included and leave it to them to choose the crackers, pudding or cheeseboard.
  • You don’t have a sleigh, or elves, so posting presents can get expensive. Look online for discount couriers that can save you money.
  • Use cash. It has been proved that spending cash is better than using a card if you want to save money on the high street. There are no ‘mindless purchases’ and once it is gone, it is gone…

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Brew-dolph…

Save on your drinks bill for the big day and have a go at brewing your own beer. Kits can be bought for as little as £20.00 online and will make plenty of pints in time for Christmas. You can even choose a festively named brew to make it extra Christmassy.

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Wait…there’s Myrrh!

After the festive buzz has died down, no one will remember who bought what at Christmas. Round up all the unwanted gifts and plan a trip to the high street. Exchange or return everything you don’t like and buy something to start your new year exactly how you want to; like a new pair of trainers, maybe?

 

by Luke Shepperson

The Hilarious Truth About Your Favourite Childhood Sweets

 This post will take you on a trip down memory lane. So many great treats, so many wasted pennies…

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Sherbet Fountains

What a joy. The best part was the fact that the liquorice used to stick out the end of the packaging. ALL OF THE TIME. The germs really added to the flavour, but unfortunately they decided to add a resealable plastic tube in a move that the Daily Mail described as ‘killjoys taking the fun out of it‘. 

 

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Kinder Surprise

SURPRISE! It’s another few small pieces of plastic that you don’t really know what to do with, just like the last time you invested your pocket money in one. 

 


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Candy Sticks

Not cool? Pfft. The single coolest thing you could do with a sweet as a seven-year-old. 

 

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Fab Lollies

Absolutely not ‘fab’ from the middle section downwards. 

 

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Funny Feet Lollies

Yes, these actually did (and still do) exist. Ew. 

 

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Mint Varieties

Mentos – mostly put into bottles of Diet Coke for the purpose of science. After Eights – rarely seen outside of December, and are dead posh. Smints – not seen since your uncle had a packet in 1998. 

All of the others are likely to be found on young males whilst in a nightclub. 

 

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Candy Necklaces

Each sweet would be carefully bitten in half so that you could ‘slingshot’ the other half across the room. 

Half way through, you’d get bored or feel sick. 

If you were really cool, you’d actually wear it – whilst it repeatedly pinched the skin on your neck. 

 

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The ’99’

Doesn’t – and never has – cost 99p. An absolute outrage that the world will almost never overcome. 

 

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PEZ

Cost about €5 from a corner shop abroad even though you only got about 10 sweets inside it. So worth it. 

 

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Pick ‘n’ Mix

These days, pick ‘n’ mixes are purchased about as often as people shorten the word ‘and’ to ‘n’. The magic of the pick ‘n’ mix was the fact that it could make your pocket money disappear even though you only have enough sweets to last through the adverts before a film. 

 

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Quality Street

Purchased for your gran at Christmas. When she offers them round, it’s a rush to eat the nice half.

Whether you should put the wrapper back into the tin or not should be settled via national vote. 

 

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