Candy History, Gummi Candy

SWEDISH FISH: The Journey From Sweden to the USA

July 20, 2009 by
Swedish Fish are one of the most enduring and popular gummi candies

Swedish Fish are an enduring retro candy favorite!

Sharability: 10

Denture Danger: 7

Convenience: 7

Novelty: 7

Overall: 7

The Swedish Fish, as the name implies originated in Sweden by the Malaco candy company.

In 1958 the Malaco company began exporting some of their candy goods to North America starting with licorices. In the late 60s into the early 70s Malaco started exporting Swedish fish and Swedish berries (the same candy shaped as berries and, sadly, now discontinued) which were altered slightly to appeal to the North American market.

The Swedish fish are now made by the Cadbury Adams Company in Canada and are distributed all over the US. The winegum Swedish fish candies are a popular concession candy and are loved by people of all ages world-wide, especially in Sweden.

Winegum candies are very popular in Sweden are made in many different shapes including flowers, cars, coins, and boats. In Sweden the candy is called “Pastellfiskar” which literally means “pale colored fishes.” The original red fish is of an almost indistinguishable flavor that in my opinion seems to be a mix between cherry and strawberry.

Swedish fish come in different sizes (as there are all different sized fish in the sea) and in different flavors (as does most candy). You can find yellow lemon, green lime, orange orange, and purple grape Swedish fish flavors if the original read doesn’t tingle your taste buds. Forget paying for overpriced Swedish fish at the movie theatre, prepare ahead of time and order your Pastellfiskars from candyfavorites.com.

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7 Comments

  • Reply Jonah Half January 22, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    Large Red Sweedish Fish are my all time favorite candy! Can’t be the mini kind because they’re too waxy. Also, they have to be fresh and extra chewy for maximum enjoyment.

  • Reply Ethel Weber January 1, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    Personally the grpe swedish fish are my childhood favorite and still are today well would still be if they still made them would love to beable to sink my teeth it to some again really wish they would bring them back.

  • Reply KIM January 21, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    I was interested in grape Swedish fishes and the old fashion packs and flavors of gum featured in the display on this page…

    • Reply Jonah Half April 30, 2014 at 9:08 am

      I’m sorry, but the grape flavor swedish fish was discontinued by the manufacturer a few years ago. I hope you can still enjoy all the other wonderful flavors swedish fish still offers!

  • Reply John December 21, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    Do they make the large ones anymore? This is going back at least 20 years, they were at the candy store in a box, maybe like 5 fish per layer separated by wax paper. Typically purchased 5/10 cents each. Probably 3″ long at least and about half as thick. I can’t find any reference to this at all so I’m assuming they are no longer sold.

  • Reply Robert Lerch June 20, 2015 at 3:11 am

    Anyone know where u can buy the original grape mini Swedish Fish?

  • Reply Rick July 4, 2015 at 9:03 am

    just had friends to Canada from Sweden,gave them Swedish berries for their first time,lol.They never knew they existed,

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