Here’s the full story behind Flumps, what’s actually in them, and where to pick up a box.
Flumps are one of those sweets that trigger an immediate reaction. Say the word to anyone who grew up in the UK and you’ll get either genuine excitement or a strong opinion about marshmallows. There’s rarely an in between. The pink and white twisted marshmallow has been a British sweet shop staple since the 1980s and it’s still going strong, which tells you everything you need to know about how well the concept works.
The History of Flumps
Where Did They Come From?
Flumps are made by Barratt, one of the UK’s oldest confectionery companies. Barratt has been making British sweets since 1848 and their back catalogue reads like a tour of the classic sweet shop: Dip Dabs, Wham Bars, Sherbet Fountains, Black Jacks and Fruit Salads all sit alongside them in the range. The company has changed ownership over the years and is now part of the Tangerine Confectionery group, but the products themselves have stayed remarkably consistent.
Flumps launched in the 1980s and quickly became one of the most recognisable sweets in the pick n mix tray. The combination of the twisted pink and white format, the light vanilla flavour and the soft marshmallow texture set them apart from everything else on the shelf. They weren’t trying to be sharp or sour or intense. They were just soft, sweet and satisfying in a way that’s harder to pull off than it sounds.
Why They’ve Lasted
A lot of sweets from the 1980s have disappeared. Flumps haven’t, and the reason is straightforward: the format is distinctive, the flavour is consistent and there’s nothing else quite like them. They occupy a specific corner of the marshmallow category that nobody else has successfully replicated at scale. That’s a harder thing to achieve than it looks, and it’s why Barratt has kept making them for over 40 years without feeling the need to change much.
What Are Flumps Made Of?
The Ingredients
Flumps are made from glucose-fructose syrup, sugar, water, pork gelatine, cornflour, flavourings and colours. The pink colour comes from beetroot red and the yellow tones from curcumin, both natural colourings. The vanilla flavour is light and works well against the sweetness of the marshmallow base.
Are They Vegan?
No. Flumps contain pork gelatine, which makes them unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians. This is worth knowing before buying if dietary requirements are a consideration. The vegan sweets section has a wide range of marshmallow-style and foam sweets that are suitable if you need an alternative.
Are They Halal?
No. The pork gelatine in Flumps makes them unsuitable for anyone following a halal diet. The halal sweets section has certified options across a full range of sweet types.
Are They Gluten Free?
Flumps don’t contain gluten ingredients and are generally considered suitable for people avoiding gluten. If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging for any cross-contamination warnings before eating.
The Flumps Range
Original Flumps Box
The Barratt Flumps box contains 50 individually wrapped pink and white marshmallow twists. This is the format most people know: the full-size one in its classic twisted shape, vanilla flavoured, soft and light. Fifty per box makes it ideal for party bags, kids’ parties and sweet tables, or just keeping a serious supply at home without constantly reordering.
Flump Hearts
The Barratt Flump Hearts are a heart-shaped variation on the original, available in a box of 12 bags. The format makes them a natural choice for Valentine’s Day, weddings and any event where a heart shape fits the theme. The flavour is the same marshmallow vanilla as the original, just in a different shape.
Flump Minis
The Barratt Flump Minis box gives you the same flavour and texture in a smaller format. Minis work well for party bags where you want to include a variety of sweets without any single one dominating the bag. They also disappear faster than the full-size version, which is either a warning or a recommendation depending on your perspective.
How They Compare to Other Marshmallow Sweets
Flumps vs Standard Marshmallows
Standard marshmallows are made from similar base ingredients but the eating experience is quite different. Regular marshmallows are denser and more uniform. Flumps are lighter, airier and have a more pronounced flavour from the vanilla. The twisted shape also means more surface area per piece, which changes the texture slightly. They’re in the same category but they’re not the same sweet.
Flumps vs Foam Sweets
Foam sweets like foam bananas and foam strawberries are often mentioned alongside Flumps as light, soft alternatives to gummies. Foam sweets have a firmer, more rubbery texture and a sharper flavour. Flumps are softer and more delicate. Both work well in a pick n mix selection for exactly that reason: they offer different textures in the same broad category.
Where They Fit in a Pick n Mix
Flumps are one of the better picks for a mixed sweet selection because they add something genuinely different. Most pick n mix bags are heavy on gummies, chews and fizzy sweets. They bring a lighter texture that contrasts well with everything around it. Browse the retro sweets range for other classic additions that work well alongside them.
Buying Flumps Online
Which Format to Choose
The original box of 50 is the best value option for anyone buying in volume. The Minis box suits party bags where smaller pieces work better. The Hearts box is the one to go for if the occasion calls for it, particularly around Valentine’s Day or for wedding sweet tables.
Delivery and Pricing
The full Barratt range at One Pound Sweets includes Flumps alongside Dip Dabs, Sherbet Fountains and other Barratt classics. Free UK delivery applies to all orders over £20 and orders go out within one to two working days. Most bags are priced at £1, so building an order to hit free delivery is straightforward.
Flumps have been around for over 40 years because they got the formula right first time. Light, distinctive, vanilla marshmallow in a twisted shape that nobody else makes quite like this. Sometimes that’s all a sweet needs to be.
Shop Flumps at One Pound Sweets
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Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Flumps