Description
Gicopa sour cherries are small hard-boiled sweets with a cherry flavour, coated in sour sugar that tingles on the tongue before giving way to the sweetness of the fruit. Naturally coloured and gluten-free, sold in a 100 g bag.
Gicopa sour cherries: the old-fashioned sour sweet
Sour cherries are among the old-fashioned sweets once bought by weight. Gicopa still makes them the traditional way, from boiled sugar.
Gicopa, a Liège confectioner since 1895
It all began in 1895 in the heart of Liège, in Mr Gillard’s workshop: boiled sugar sweets, biscuits and gingerbread. The name Gicopa actually comes from « GIllard COnfiserie & PAin d’épices ». Now based in Sprimont, the small confectioner (gicopa.be) focuses entirely on hard-boiled sweets, made the traditional way from boiled sugar and coloured only with natural colourings from fruit, vegetables and plants.
Ideas for serving sour cherries
Sour cherries are made for party tables: in a glass jar on a sweet buffet, in little bags for birthday guests, or mixed with other Belgian sweets in a bowl. Their pretty pink colour and sparkling coating of sour sugar catch the eye, and their tangy taste always gets a reaction. For a varied selection, pair them with the floral sweetness of Liège violets and our soft lards.
Ingredients and nutrition
As stated on the bag:
Ingredients
Sugar, glucose syrup, acid (citric acid), flavourings, concentrates (sweet potato, apple, radish, cherry).
Energy
394 kcal per 100 g. Gluten-free.
How to enjoy sour cherries
- As a tangy little break, at home or at work.
- On a sweet buffet, for a birthday or a party.
- To share among lovers of sour sweets.
Storage
Keep the bag in a dry place, away from humidity and heat. Close it tightly after opening so the sweets stay dry and crunchy. These hard sweets are not suitable for children under 3.
The full Gicopa range
Chez Popol sells Gicopa sweets in 100 g and 1 kg bags: Liège violet sweets 100 g, Liège violet sweets 1 kg, sour cherries 100 g and sour cherries 1 kg. Pair them with our Belgian lards and cuberdons for a selection of Belgian sweets.
Tip: Gicopa sweets also make a lovely little gift for anyone who has left Liège and misses their grandmother’s sweet jar. Add a card and your parcel from the Liège region is ready.
Frequently asked questions
Are Gicopa sweets vegan?
According to Gicopa, the confectioner uses no gelatine and all its sweets are vegan and free from allergens, made with Belgian beet sugar. That means almost everyone can enjoy them with peace of mind. If you have an allergy, always check the label on the packaging anyway.
Are these sweets very sour?
Yes: the citric acid coating tingles on the tongue at first, then the sweet cherry flavour takes over. A sweet for lovers of sour treats.
Do these sweets contain gluten?
No, the bag says « gluten-free ».
Where can I buy sour cherries?
Our shop, Chez Popol, is in Petit-Rechain near Verviers, about twenty minutes from Liège: you can collect your order there free of charge. They also come in a 1 kg bag.
How do you stop the sweets sticking together?
Boiled sugar does not like humidity. Keep the bag well closed in a cool, dry place, away from heat or a sunny window. In a sweet jar, choose one with a lid: your sweets will stay dry and the sour coating will keep all its zing.
Order your Gicopa sour cherries from Chez Popol
Delivery is free from €80 incl. VAT to Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. You can also collect your order from our shop in Petit-Rechain, Rue de Battice 53.
