A Taste of Sweetness

I am sweet
From the moment I was born,
I was entrusted with a mission of gentleness—
All for that smile
You wear when the taste returns to you.

Written in the summer of 2025 by Tianjian
Seals: Zhang, A Poem Every Day, Inside Zhuwai

With their vibrant colors and delightfully chewy texture, gummy bears have taken the world by storm. Their origin dates back to the 1920s, when a German confectioner named Hans Riegel Sr. created Haribo in the kitchen of his home in Bonn. The name “Haribo” comes from the first letters of Hans Riegel and Bonn.

At the time, performing bears were a popular attraction at markets and church festivals, symbolizing joy and festivity. Inspired by this, Hans launched his “Dancing Bear” fruit gummies in 1922. They became an instant favorite, earning him the nickname “Papa Bear.”

In the following years, Haribo developed other sweets like coiled licorice and bear-shaped licorice, growing its workforce to over 400 employees—laying the groundwork for its place in the food industry. However, World War II brought hardship. In 1945, Hans Riegel Sr. passed away. Fortunately, his sons Hans Jr. and Paul safely returned after the war and took over the business.

Hans Jr., who held a doctorate in economics, applied his expertise to aggressively expand the company. In the 1960s, Haribo introduced the “Goldbear”, a new version of the gummy bear that sparked a nationwide craze in Germany. By 1962, Haribo was on TV, with the slogan:
“Haribo makes children and grown-ups happy.”
Sales soared.

In 1978, the Goldbear's design changed to a sitting pose—the form still used today.

Ever committed to innovation, Haribo added apple flavor in 2007 and launched fruit juice gummies in 2009, further cementing its popularity. Since 2003, Haribo has consistently been rated Europe’s most trusted candy brand.

In 2009, Hans Jr. was awarded the French Legion of Honor and Austria's Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 90, having led Haribo from a humble kitchen to global success.

As for when gummy bears first arrived in Taiwan, the exact date is unclear. According to Hsinlin Enterprises, after its founding in 1949, it competed with other distributors and eventually secured the Haribo agency—a partnership that continues today.

Regarding ingredients: gummy bears do use natural fruit flavors, including apple, strawberry, raspberry, orange, lemon, and pineapple. However, their signature chewy texture comes from gelatin—an extract from pig or cow skin, bones, and tendons—making them a non-vegetarian candy.

Recorded in 2025 by Tianjian.