• We all have our favourite proudly South African snacks that have carried us through years and years of comfort eating. The snacks that remind us of home, of growing up and a time with fewer responsibilities.

    Here are proudly South African snacks dating generations back that we love and would be totally gutted if they ever ceased to exist:

    Steri Stumpie:

    Picture: Steri Stumpie

    The flavoured milk has been around since 1970. Try and find a South African who doesn’t love Steri Stumpies, you won’t because that person does not exist. We all have our favourite flavour.

    CHOMP:

    Picture: Cadbury

    South Africans have been chomping away at the caramel wafer CHOMPs since 1970. Everyone remembers the ‘bigmouth hippo’ advert of the ’90s with the catchphrase ‘you’ll just have to grow some more kid’.

    Wilsons Champion Toffees (Wilson Blocks):

    Picture: Wilson Champion Toffees

    Proudly South African toffees that were produced in 1940. The little chewy blocks truly are ‘the big taste that lasts’.

    Chappies:

    Picture: Chappies SA

    Did you know that Chappies was created in the 1940s as a competitor to Wicks Bubble Gum but at half the price? Chappies created many generations of happy bubble-blowing kids and parents yelling not to chew like cows.

    Bakers Choice Assorted:

    Picture: Bakers Biscuits

    It isn’t the Festive Season in Cape Town until you have this box of variety biscuits. We’ve been fighting over the best ones in the box since the 80s.

    Willards Flings:

    Picture: Willards

    The chip that paved the way for all chips. South Africans have been introducing their babies to chips using Flings for the longest time and will continue to do it for years to come.

    Ouma Rusks:

    Picture: Ouma Rusks

    South Africans have been dipping an ouma since 1939, and although the rusks have evolved over time the comfort it brings us remains the same.

    Beacon Fizz Pop:

    Picture: Beacon Fizz Pop

    We have been cutting the inside of our mouths on these lollipops since the early 80s, but the flavour and sherbert make it all worthwhile.

    Choc Stix:

    Picture: Snaxels

    Choc Stix – the perfect balance between chocolate and pretzel, you’d be forgiven for eating them by the bunch loads. These dipped sticks of joy have been around since the 70s.

    Zoo Biscuits:

    Picture: Iced Zoo Biscuits

    The ‘party’ biscuit – your party wasn’t complete until these colourful sugar-coated biscuits were served, and it’s still a favourite amongst kids, with so many different ways to eat them. The animals are looking a bit tired of late, but hey, they’ve been adorning this special treat since 1895.

    ALSO SEE: Ginger beer

    Ginger beer

    Written by Adrienne Bredeveldt for Cape Etc.

    Feature image: Pexels