Aniseed Balls: History, Facts & Ingredients
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Candies have evolved greatly over time to become the sweet treats that they are today. Originally, candies were not intended to be eaten for enjoyment and were instead made to deliver medicines. There are various candies that have evolved over the years from humble beginnings as medicinal products. Aniseed balls were likely used in this way in their early history, and this very traditional method of sweet-making is still the way that many modern treats are crafted.
Aniseed is a very specific flavor and not one that everyone likes. If you love the flavor of licorice candy, however, you will find these little treats to be delightful. This is a common treat in the UK and it has been sold for years in the UK and Australia, as well as Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada.
| Aniseed Balls | Facts |
|---|---|
| Introduced | Originally marketed as early as 1910; known by current name around World War II |
| Candy Type | Comfit-style hard candy |
| Original Flavors | Aniseed (licorice) |
| Still Available | Yes |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| Core Ingredient | Modern versions use a rapeseed at the center; originally an aniseed |
| Size | Approximately 13 mm across |
| Flavoring Agent | Aniseed oil, applied through every layer of the candy |
History
Licorice has been a popular candy flavoring since the Romans used it for the thirst-quenching nature of the root itself. Licorice has also long been associated with medicine and was used by ancient peoples for generations to help with stomach complaints and to soothe toothaches. The leap to candy flavoring was logical since the flavor profile of this root was so familiar to people. Adding some herbs and spices was a simple way to make the licorice flavoring even more enjoyable, and this is the foundation upon which Aniseed Balls were created upon.
This type of candy has been around for a very long time. Comfit-style candies were initially used to deliver medicine that did not taste very good. A comfit is made by forming layers of candy around a single seed of something. In the case of Aniseed Balls, the core of the candy was originally an Aniseed The modern candy is made with a rapeseed at the center. The layers of sugar that are formed around it are added by dipping the seed into layers of liquid sugar and allowing the candy ball to dry and harden in between dips.
Hard candies were a great choice for production before refrigeration was common. Most candy sellers could not keep chocolate and other sugary sweets that were softer from melting in the summer. This meant that any candy that could be sold year-round was a much safer bet. All of the various hard candies that are still sold today were the solution that candy makers and sellers needed to be able to make money when the weather was hot.
These kinds of candies were also included in soldiers’ rations during both world wars because they could hold up to being stored in pockets and rucksacks without melting or breaking apart. There were not many other candies on the market at this time that could say the same, and so the Aniseed ball and candies like them have enjoyed lasting popularity.
These candies are hard, and they are shiny and dark brown. They have the consistency of a Gobstopper or Jawbreaker in the US, and they are about 13 mm across. This is not a big sweet because the intention is that you will suck on it until it dissolves in your mouth. The ball itself is flavored with Aniseed oil to give the entire candy the strong flavor of licorice.
Quick Quiz
Which Of These Is The Oldest Candy Bar?
These little treats are not intended to be chewed in any way and you would probably hurt your teeth trying to do so. This is a candy that you suck on and dissolve slowly over time. The flavor has been added to all of the layers of the candy, so it should have a strong licorice flavor all the way through.
Candies like the Aniseed Ball were still made during the second world war, despite sweet rationing, because they were fairly efficient to make and did not create wasted product. Once the war was over, more complex candies could be made again, but Aniseed Balls were the practical sweet of the times during the era of rationing and war.
This candy was probably first sold under this name during the second world war. The original candy was made and marketed as early as 1910, but the name of the product was different at this time, as was the intention of the sweet. The candy became famous for more than its flavor profile during the second world war when soldiers setting off Limpet mines used them as timing delay devices.
These sweets dissolved slowly enough that inserting an Aniseed Ball into the timing mechanism could delay the explosion of the mine for long enough for a diver to drop them off near enemy ships and swim away. Famous for their help in the war effort, the sweets had cemented their place in history and popular memory and are still sold today.
While Licorice is not as common a flavor additive in candies today, at the time that Aniseed Balls were helping the war effort, anise was a very popular and common flavoring for candies and sweets. This might seem like a very strong flavoring to a modern candy audience, but there are those who love how flavorful these little treats are. Before the invention of chewing gum or other breath fresheners, Aniseed Balls and products like them were used to freshen the breath. This is part of why the flavor in these classic treats is so strong, even today.
This candy is typically sold in bulk at candy stores that allow you to fill up your own candy bag and pay by weight. Some makers also sell them in bags or plastic containers. You will usually have to buy a fairly large amount of these little candies at once since they are not sold individually wrapped by most makers. If you have ever purchased Jawbreakers candies, you know what this candy looks like and how many of them you can fit into even a small bag.
If you want to try a really classic candy that helped soldiers during World War II, you will love Aniseed Balls. This is a classic candy that offers a unique flavor experience that you might not have experienced when eating any other kind of sweet.
Aniseed Balls Timeline
- Ancient times — Licorice root used by Romans for thirst and medicine
- Pre-modern era — Comfit-style candies developed to deliver unpleasant-tasting medicines
- 1910 — Early version of Aniseed Balls marketed under a different name
- World War I — Aniseed Balls included in soldiers' rations due to durability
- World War II — Candy used as timing delay devices for Limpet mines by soldiers
- World War II era — Candy produced despite sweet rationing for efficiency and minimal waste
- World War II era — Product likely first sold under the Aniseed Balls name
- Post-WWII — Aniseed Balls continue to be sold across UK, Australia, and beyond
Aniseed Balls vs Gobstopper (Jawbreaker)
| Feature | Aniseed Balls | Gobstopper (Jawbreaker) |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Hard, shiny, dissolves slowly when sucked | Hard, dissolves slowly in layers when sucked |
| Introduced | Marketed as early as 1910 | Popularized in the early 20th century |
| Manufacturer | Various traditional UK confectionery makers | Ferrara Candy Company (Wonka brand in US) |
| Flavors | Aniseed (licorice) only | Multiple fruit flavors in layers |
| Size | Approximately 13 mm across | Varies; multiple sizes available |
| Availability | UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada | Widely available in the US, UK, and internationally |
| Intended Use | Suck slowly until dissolved; not for chewing | Suck slowly until dissolved; not for chewing |
Ingredients
From an online seller’s entry for Aniseed balls:
- Dextrose
- Sugar
- Maize starch
- Rapeseed
- Modified maize starch
- Flavoring
- Aniseed oil
- Colors E129 and E151
- Glazing agent carnauba wax
As you can see, a simple candy. Most of the ingredients are just sugar. Some of these candies do not even contain the trademark seed at the center of the candy. In these products, a hard ball of sugar crystals is used to start the candy. This information might not be stated in the packaging of the product, so if you are looking for that really classic experience with the Aniseed in the center, you might have to do a little research to be sure that is what is at the center of the product you have ordered.
Nutrition
| Serving Size: | 1 Ball | % Daily Value * |
| Carbs | 12g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g | |
| Sugar | 12g | |
| Fat | 0g | |
| Saturated | 0g | |
| Polyunsaturated | 0g | |
| Monounsaturated | 0g | |
| Trans | 0g | |
| Protein | 0g | |
| Sodium | 0g | |
| Potassium | 0g | |
| Cholesterol | 0g | |
| Vitamin A | 0% | |
| Vitamin C | 0% | |
| Calcium | 0% | |
| Iron | 0% |
- Percentages are based on a diet of 2000 calories a day.
Candies That Are Like Aniseed Balls
As mentioned before, Jawbreakers and Gobstoppers are the candies most like Aniseed Balls. Any candy that is made by layering liquid sugar onto a central seed of some kind is going to give you the same eating experience. You cannot chew these candies and they must be sucked on, so you will also have a similar eating experience when you pick out a sucker to enjoy. Suckers are made in much the same way as Aniseed Balls and they are only different because they have an added stick attached to them.
Layering sugar on top of a unique candy center is done in other candy-making, but most candies are not made to be as hard as an Aniseed Ball. You will get a longer-lasting eating experience when candies are made in this manner since candies this hard have to be sucked on. Any candy that you will have to take some time to enjoy is a lot like an Aniseed Ball.
Appearance of the Aniseed Ball
Aniseed Balls are a dark, reddish-brown in color and are not very large. Gobstoppers and Jawbreakers are often sold in various sizes, but Aniseed Balls have always been about 13 mm in size. This is a candy that is sold with remarkable consistency by each candy company that makes a version of the sweet. You will be able to count on the kind of product that you are getting when you order these candies, even if you are getting them from a candy maker that you have not purchased from before.
For those in the US, there are not many good options to get authentic Anise Seed Ball candy, but they can be ordered online or from major candy retailers in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. You can simply look for the reddish coloring of the treat to be sure that you are getting the classic Anise Seed Ball product to try out at home.
Pictures
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Taste test of Aniseed Balls:
An Anise Seed packaging machine in action:
Frequently Asked Questions about Aniseed Balls
What are Aniseed Balls made of?
Aniseed Balls are a comfit-style hard candy made by layering liquid sugar around a central seed, which in modern versions is a rapeseed. The entire candy is flavored with Aniseed oil, giving it a strong licorice taste throughout every layer. The candy is hard, shiny, dark brown, and approximately 13 mm across.
Where are Aniseed Balls sold?
Aniseed Balls are a common treat primarily associated with the United Kingdom, where they have been sold for many years. They are also available in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada. They remain on sale today and are considered a traditional sweet in these regions.
What is the history behind Aniseed Balls?
Aniseed Balls are rooted in the long tradition of comfit-style candies, which were originally used to deliver unpleasant-tasting medicines. An early version of the candy was marketed as far back as 1910 under a different name, and the candy likely became known by its current name during the Second World War. Their ability to withstand heat and rough storage conditions made them practical for soldiers' rations in both world wars.
How were Aniseed Balls used during World War II?
During the Second World War, Aniseed Balls gained fame beyond their flavor when soldiers discovered they could be used as timing delay devices for Limpet mines. Because the candy dissolves slowly and at a predictable rate, inserting one into a mine's timing mechanism gave divers enough time to place the mine near an enemy ship and swim to safety before it exploded. This wartime role helped cement the candy's place in popular memory and history.
Why do Aniseed Balls have such a strong flavor?
Aniseed Balls are flavored with Aniseed oil, which gives the candy its strong and distinctive licorice taste. The flavor is added to every layer of the candy, so the taste remains consistent and intense all the way through as you suck on it. Historically, before the invention of chewing gum and other breath fresheners, Aniseed Balls and similar products were used to freshen the breath, which is part of why such a bold flavor profile was desirable.
I absolutely adore aniseed balls best sweets ever.