US style Smarties Candy?

I've explained to my husband what Smarties are in the States and he said that he thinks England has something similar but the name has slipped his mind. So, I have two questions: first, can you get anything like the US Smarties here? And if so, what are they called?

Thanks in advance!

According to Wikipedia, they're called Refreshers (the candy similar to American Smarties that is).

I haven't ever tried Smarties in the US, but Refreshers certainly look the same:
http://img.symworks.com/l_refreshers.jpg

I'll give the Refreshers a try, but I've read that they are fizzy. Might just be worth buying a bag of Smarties during our trip over Thanksgiving.

Refreshers are NOT the same!!  They are bigger for one thing, and they taste completely different.  Delicious (I love Refreshers), but not like Smarties.  If you want Smarties, I think you'll have to get them in the US. 

I'll give the Refreshers a try, but I've read that they are fizzy.

Yes, they are fizzy.

From what historyenne said, it sounds like although they look similar, they aren't actually the same at all .

Refreshers are NOT the same!!  They are bigger for one thing, and they taste completely different.  Delicious (I love Refreshers), but not like Smarties.  If you want Smarties, I think you'll have to get them in the US. 

Are they anything like SweetTarts?

Are they anything like SweetTarts?

A bit, but not so tart, and fizzy.  They've got a crumbly texture a bit like Smarties but are more the size of SweetTarts.  Try them!  They're really lovely.

A bit, but not so tart, and fizzy.  They've got a crumbly texture a bit like Smarties but are more the size of SweetTarts.  Try them!  They're really lovely.

I'm intrigued. I'm think I might go for a walk tomorrow and get some!

I don't think I've ever had US Smarties. What are they?

I don't think I've ever had US Smarties. What are they?

They are a small hard candy (kinda smooth but chalky for consistency) that come in little rolls. They are gluten free, nut/peanut free, vegan and dairy free as well. The website is http://www.smarties.com/ if you'd like to check them out further. They are one of my favourite candies. Also my high school calculus teacher would give us a roll everything we had a test!

I bring some back with me every so often.  I use them in my bag as a treat for the kids when I need them to take a looong time eating something:)  My grandma used to give them to us as a treat in church to keep us quiet too.  I think all the ones here are fizzy

I was just trying to explain Sweet tarts to DH the other night when we went to the movies (they were always my candy of choice at the movies!) He thought maybe I meant the candy hearts from valentines. (I never thought about the fact that it sounds like "sweet hearts"!) I may have to stock up next time I visit, just so I can have something for when we go to the movies.

For anyone who's not had a US Smartie, the texture and size is just like parma violets .  However, the flavours are not the same!




*I think UK Smarties are high up on my boak-tastic meter 

*I think UK Smarties are high up on my boak-tastic meter 

UK Smarties used to taste nicer than they do now.

A few years ago (2006), they took out all of the artificial colourings (due to concern over the effect of the chemical dyes on childrens' health) and they just haven't been the same since - the only ones with any flavour now are the orange ones and the rest just taste like cardboard  .