There was always that one chocolate in the assortment that divided the room: the orange cream. Some people loved the sharp, sugary citrus centre. Others quietly put it back and hoped nobody noticed.
But here's a question. When did chocolate become so obsessed with new flavours that we almost forgot the old favourites?
Are orange creams actually gone?
No, and we should be fair about that. Quality Street still features Orange Creme and has sold assortments devoted to fruit creams. Nestlé's own history of Quality Street, first launched in 1936, shows just how long colourful wrapped assortments have been part of British confectionery culture.
What people often miss isn't necessarily the disappearance of the orange cream. It's a particular memory of the older-style selection box: fondant centres, foil and paper wrappers, familiar flavours and the ritual of choosing your favourite.
What makes a proper orange cream?
Traditionally, the appeal comes from contrast: a sweet, soft centre with citrus character set against a chocolate shell. Getting the balance right is harder than it sounds. Too much orange and it becomes overpowering; too little and you are left with sweetness and very little character.
And the chocolate matters. A good shell contributes its own flavour and melt rather than merely serving as a container.
What about the other classics?
Orange cream has excellent company: coffee cream, pineapple cream, raspberry cream, coconut ice and nutty caramel. They belong to a British confectionery tradition that deserves to be explored, not just remembered.
We're experimenting with some of those nostalgic flavours at Salahuddin. They're ideas we're developing, not a promise that every variety is available to buy today. As with Proper Milk, we'd rather get the recipe right than rush it out.
One question for Britain
Are you an orange cream defender or the person who leaves them in the tin until February? We're genuinely curious. Just remember that nobody is allowed to eat all the caramels and then complain there's only fruit cream left.
