Time-honored Fruit Jellies: Rare Recognition of Their Brand Name - Yesteryear Fruit Caramels: Rare Recognition for a Bygone Sweet Treat
Solving a Six-Decade Sweet Mystery: The Unchanging "Frukas" of Delitzsch
Journalist: Denise Snieguole WachterReading Time: 2 minutes
After six decades, the identity of a popular, square, colorful candy—a staple of German childhood—has remained a secret. However, comedian Ole Waschkau recently revealed the truth on Twitter: They are named Bohme Fruit Caramels and are made in the town of Delitzsch, Saxony.
Darren Ehlert, managing director of the Delitzsch Chocolate Factory and a board member of sister company Halloren, affectionately refers to the treats as "Frukas." The Delitzsch Chocolate Factory became a subsidiary of Wissoll following the fall of the Berlin Wall, before regaining independence. Today, it produces an assortment of sweets, including Royal Mints, chocolate cream tablets, and Bohme Fruit Caramels—their bestseller, as reported by the Berliner Kurier.
Although not a growing market, demand for the Frukas remains stable, according to Ehlert. The cherry and strawberry flavors are particularly popular. Despite efforts to modernize the packaging, changing from traditional square boxes to stand-up pouches, the results were unfavorable, as reported by Wirtschaftswoche. Customers took to social media, threatening to stop buying the product if its design were altered.
The strong bond that customers share with the Frukas appears to stem from the candies' association with first experiences or close family relationships. "People report memories of their childhood, that they connect the Frukas with their parents or with the first visit to the bank or the hairdresser," says Ehlert.
Interestingly, the Frukas are often thrown during carnival parades, despite being food. Ehlert acknowledges that while it might be a waste, it is part of the tradition. "Carnival is good for our business. Two months after Christmas, we sell the most candies."
Bohme Frukas have taken on a sentimental value in a constantly evolving world, serving as cherished fragments of nostalgia.
Sources: Wirtschaftswoche, Suddeutsche Zeitung, Berliner Kurier, Ole Waschkau on Twitter (now X)
[1] Boehme is a German brand known for its chocolates in Germany (source not provided).[2] Information about Boehme's history was not detailed in the available sources (source not provided).
- The Delitzsch Chocolate Factory's bestseller, Bohme Fruit Caramels, also known as "Frukas," have become a part of the community policy, influencing the packaging choices due to customer reactions, showcasing the importance of preserving tradition in a rapidly changing world.
- Despite the modern fashion-and-beauty trends and diverse food-and-drink options, the residents of Germany still value their lifestyle choice of the traditional, symbolic Bohme Fruit Caramels, evoking memories of their childhood and close family relationships.
