Aqua Libra
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Almost as divisive as Marmite, Aqua Libra was the adult soft drink option of the 80s. If you were an adult, it's what you drank at barbecues when you were the designated driver. If you were 11, it's what you drank to feel like an adult. Some people loved it, some people loathed it, but it always had a presence whenever there was a gathering that involved chargrilled food and coleslaw.
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You can still buy all that stuff, what about the good old forgotten favourites long consigned to the history books.
What about Quattro, the 80's 4 fruit drink, Orange Urangutan and Pink Panther candy bars from the 70's (what he hell was that stuff? it was like chocolate, but not chocolate, and in lairy colours) and the best crisps ever, Farmer Browns.
The old stuff was way better, but really not that good for you. When mum thought Findus Crispy Pancakes were a balanced healthy family meal it was the start of the dietary problems we see today. Still, they beat the be-jeezus out of her watery home made sheperd's pie with soggy 'boiled for hours' cabbage!
Right I'm off for a Vesta curry, with raisins!
Kenspeakthetruth is quite right when he says things don't taste like they used to. And I thought it was my taste buds wearing out with old age! I guess it's modern flavourings, sweetners, preservatives, colourings and all the other stuff they pour into our food processings which do it. Remember the scandal a few years back when Ribena was sued for false representation when some school kids in science class discovered there was no Vitamin C in it? Just sugar water. The golden age really was in the swinging 60s!
Parma violets are still available on ebay, I bought 50 packs for my daughter's wedding earlier this month.
The item I really miss is Meltis Newberry Fruits with their liquid centres. An absolute treat every birthday and Christmas ( + many times in-between)
Another thing I miss is the very tangy jelly bears made with real fruit juice but I can not remember the brand. The ones available now are just not the same. Flying saucers are a pale image of what they were, now that the ingredients have been 'modernised'. I remember them when they first came out and would buy them along with Lees macaroon bars and Spanish tobacco. That certainly dates me
As anyone will probably agree, many of the old favs sweets like Caramac, Wagon Wheels, Milky Bar, Walnut Whips, Galaxy, etc .may still exist, (at least, last time I checked a couple of years ago), but in name only...the guts have gone out of them, with key ingredients being replaced by cheaper substitutes, sweetners etc...and consequently they don't taste right.
Additionally recommended as still being good confectionary, (although not shown above), are Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate and Bassets Sherbet Fountains.
Most soft drinks have gone the same way...best survivor being Pepsi.
Oooooh.... how good it is sometimes to reminisce, so many memories flood back!!!
Now for my two penny worth..... anyone remember the chocolates shaped like tools (saws, drills etc)? Yum.... they were sooooo lovely (well in my opinion anyway)!!!
A trip down memory lane can be very therapeutic you know!!
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