A Brief History of Liquorice Allsorts

The following was contributed by their greatest fan, Margaret Williamson. The secret was revealed on a 1-kg box of Bertie Bassetts, bought at the Tallin-Helsinki ferry duty-free shop and labelled 'Travellers Only'. Exactly!

Bassett's (the original) Liquorice Allsorts were created accidentally in 1899, when one Charlie Thompson, a travelling salesman, was discussing an order with a customer. Suddenly his tray of samples was knocked over, scattering the brightly coloured sweets. The mixed-up confectionery looked so appealing that an order was placed there and then. Bassett's Allsorts were born.