Visiting supermarkets abroad might seem like a simple joy, but it’s utterly fascinating.

As I walk down the aisles, my eyes flit from one shelf to the next, taking in the vibrant and unfamiliar packaging. The moment of joy arrives when, with the precision of a hawk’s eye, you spot a familiar face among the strangers – a product you know well amidst those you don’t. it could be a bag of Walkers’ crisps masquerading as lays, with the colours assigned to the flavour entirely different. These subtle distinctions become glaringly apparent when you’re accustomed to one and not the other.

For me, an obligatory stop is the sweets aisle, where I hunt for Haribo. This confectionary giant has won the hearts of sweet-toothed individuals worldwide with its iconic gummies. I take pleasure in discovering new flavours scouring the shelves for recipes that are unavailable back at home.

In some countries, you might find that their Haribo uses different ingredients. The texture might be chewier or the sweetness more pronounced. This variation is what makes it all so fascinating – it’s all about personal preference.

I decided to share my fascination and soon after, a couple of packets of Turkish Haribo Starmix appeared on my desk. Without hesitation, I eagerly grabbed a packet of the UK Haribo Starmix and meticulously examined both packages to discern the nuances in their recipes. It became evident that the Turkish version did not contain any pork gelatine or pork-derived ingredients, owing to Turkey’s predominately Muslim population. Our resident Haribo aficionado suggested that the Turkish ones were superior to the ones at home. This intriguing distinction in taste and texture convinced me that a more in-depth investigation was due. Thus, the Revive Haribo: Home VS Away taste test was officially launched.

It seems that, somehow, the Revive office could distinguish the international Haribo. 3/5 people could identify the Haribo apart and only 2/5 people voted for Turkish Haribo tasting the best. It’s official, UK Haribo wins! The team said the Turkish Haribo were sweeter, tasted more artificial and were chewier. After all, it’s in these only subtle differences where the true joy of exploration lies – even if it’s just within the confectionary aisle.

Next time you find yourself in a supermarket abroad, be sure to explore the sweets section and let us know if you share the same fascination.

Thank you to Automatic Retailer for supplying us with yummy Haribo!