I want… a packet of Fizz Wiz Pop Rocks

Back when the world was young and I was but a nipper (otherwise known as “the early to mid ’70s”), the sweeties were so much better than they are today.

Spangles were great favourites, until I managed to get one stuck in my throat at primary school; the school nurse spent half an hour pouring hot tea down my throat to melt the damned thing, and I really thought I was going to die – either from asphyxiation or from serious burns.  I kind of went off Spangles a bit after that.

Then there was Banjo, a chocolate bar that came in a two-stick pack, much like Twix.  Banjo was fab – layers of peanuts, wafers and caramel, all covered in lashings of chocolate.  I loved the ad too; “Banjo Banjo, one for me and you, with light and crispy wafer and roast nut flavour too” – sung to the tune of “Oh Susannah”.

But the best sweetie of all was Space Dust, which has now been rebranded as Fizz Wizz Pop Rocks, though I can’t quite fathom why – if it ain’t broke, don’ t fix it…

As a child I was a big fan of Enid Blyton’s books about the magic faraway tree, in which lived some interesting characters including Silky the fairy and a man called Moonface, who perhaps unsurprisingly had a face shaped like the moon.  One of their favourite foods was something called Toffee Shocks,  which would explode loudly in the mouth of anyone who ate them.  To me, Space Dust was the next best thing.

Space Dust is a fantastic invention; in the packet are these little sugary nuggets which, once they’re on your tongue, start exploding in a frightening yet intensely satisfying manner.  They jump about in your mouth and throat like little jumping beans, and at times are almost painful – but boy, are they addictive!

Here’s a tip… the noise is louder and infinitely more satisfying if you experiment with opening and closing your mouth to varying degrees.  A closed mouth produces more high-pitched ear-popping crackles, but an open mouth and hollowed tongue will result in louder, deeper ‘pops’.

Ah, those were the days…