Can Non-Vegans Tell the Difference in Vegan Sweets?

It's the question that comes up at every party, family gathering, and office celebration where someone brings vegan sweets: "Can you actually tell the difference?" There's often a pause, a skeptical look, and then someone inevitably says they'll know immediately because "vegan stuff just tastes different."

But does it really? With vegan sweets now stocked in every major supermarket and the technology behind plant based ingredients improving yearly, the answer is far more interesting than you might expect. We decided to find out properly, not through guesswork or assumptions, but by actually testing it.

At Sunshine Snacks, we've been supplying confectionery across the UK since 1996, and we've watched the vegan sweet market transform from a tiny niche into something genuinely mainstream. Our vegan and vegetarian sweets range has grown massively because demand has grown, and that demand comes from everyone, not just vegans. Here's what we've learned about whether people can really tell the difference.

What Actually Makes a Sweet Vegan?

Before diving into taste tests, it helps to understand what changes when sweets go vegan.

Traditional sweets often contain animal derived ingredients that most people never think about. Gelatine comes from animal bones and connective tissue. Many sweets use beeswax as a glazing agent. Carmine, a common red colouring, comes from crushed insects. Dairy products like milk powder and butter appear in chocolate and fudge. Some sweets even contain egg whites for texture.

Vegan sweets replace all of these. Gelatine becomes pectin or agar agar (both plant based gelling agents). Carmine becomes plant based colourings from beetroot or berries. Dairy milk becomes oat, almond, coconut, or rice milk. Beeswax becomes plant waxes like carnauba. The question is: do these substitutions change how sweets taste and feel in your mouth?

If you're curious about the technical differences between vegan and vegetarian sweets, our detailed guide explains what sets them apart.

The Blind Taste Test

We conducted a simple blind taste test with 20 people who regularly eat traditional sweets and don't follow a vegan diet. None of them knew which sweets were vegan and which weren't. We tested five different sweet categories: gummy sweets, hard boiled sweets, chocolate, marshmallows, and fizzy sweets.

The Setup

Each person tasted two versions of similar sweets in each category, one vegan and one traditional, without knowing which was which. They rated them on taste, texture, and overall enjoyment, then guessed which was vegan. We kept everything else consistent: serving temperature, portion size, and even the order of tasting (randomised for each person).

The Results Were Surprising

Gummy sweets: Only 45% correctly identified which gummy was vegan. Most people assumed the sweeter one was traditional, but actually both were similarly sweet. The main comment was about texture, with some finding the vegan gummies "slightly firmer" and others finding them "just the same." Several people preferred the vegan version without knowing it was vegan.

Hard boiled sweets: Just 30% guessed correctly. These were nearly indistinguishable. Traditional hard boiled sweets rarely contain animal products anyway (they're mainly sugar, glucose syrup, and flavourings), so the vegan certified versions tasted identical. People literally couldn't tell.

Chocolate: This category was more split. About 65% identified the vegan chocolate correctly, usually describing it as "slightly different" in creaminess. However, 8 out of 20 people actually preferred the vegan chocolate, finding it "less heavy" and "cleaner tasting." The difference was noticeable but not off putting.

Marshmallows: 55% guessed correctly. Vegan marshmallows use aquafaba (chickpea water) or other plant proteins instead of gelatine. Some people found them "lighter" or "airier," whilst others noticed no difference at all. Interestingly, several people said both versions were "too sweet" (marshmallows in general, not specific to vegan or traditional).

Fizzy sweets: Only 40% got this right. The fizzy coating and sour flavours dominated everything else. Most people said they'd happily eat either version and couldn't pick a favourite. The intense sour taste basically masked any subtle differences in the base sweet.

What This Actually Means

The test showed that for most sweet categories, non vegans cannot reliably tell the difference. Even when people could identify a difference, it didn't mean they disliked the vegan option. Several people genuinely preferred vegan versions without knowing what they were eating.

This isn't unique to our test. Similar blind taste tests conducted by food bloggers, YouTube channels, and even professional taste panels have found the same pattern: when people don't know something is vegan, they judge it on its own merits, and often they can't tell or don't care about the difference.

Where You Might Notice a Difference

Being realistic, some vegan sweets do taste or feel different, and that's worth acknowledging.

Chocolate

Vegan chocolate, particularly milk chocolate alternatives, can taste different. Traditional milk chocolate has a specific creamy, slightly caramelised flavour from dairy milk. Plant based milks (oat, almond, coconut) each bring their own subtle flavours. Oat milk chocolate tends to be creamy and mild. Coconut milk chocolate can have a hint of coconut (though not always). Almond milk chocolate might taste slightly nuttier.

Dark chocolate is easier. Many dark chocolates are already accidentally vegan because they contain cocoa, cocoa butter, and sugar without any milk. If someone likes dark chocolate, the vegan version is often identical to what they're already eating.

Creamy or Dairy Heavy Sweets

Fudge, toffee, and other sweets that rely heavily on butter or cream can taste different when made vegan. The richness changes slightly. However, good quality vegan versions use coconut cream or plant based butters that create similar textures and flavours. It's different, but not necessarily worse. Some people prefer the lighter taste.

Gummy Texture

This is where some people notice variation. Gelatine based gummies have a specific bouncy, elastic texture. Plant based alternatives using pectin, agar, or starch can feel slightly different: sometimes firmer, sometimes softer, occasionally a bit more "melt in your mouth" rather than chewy.

Here's the thing though: texture preference is personal. Some people actually prefer the texture of vegan gummies. Children especially often don't notice or care. If you grew up eating vegan gummies, they taste normal to you.

What Influences Whether Someone Notices

Several factors affect whether non vegans detect differences in vegan sweets.

Expectation bias is huge. If someone knows something is vegan before tasting it, they're primed to find differences. Studies show that when people are told food is "healthy," "diet," or "alternative," they rate it as less tasty even when it's identical to the regular version. The label affects perception more than the actual food.

Familiarity matters. Someone who eats Haribo gummy bears daily will notice if you swap them for vegan gummies because they know that specific product intimately. But if you're serving gummy sweets generally, most people won't notice. The comparison point matters.

Quality varies widely. Early vegan sweets (10 to 15 years ago) often did taste noticeably different because the ingredient technology wasn't as good. Modern vegan sweets use better ingredients and manufacturing processes. A cheap vegan sweet might taste different from a premium traditional sweet, but compare like with like and the gap narrows dramatically.

Individual taste sensitivity. Some people have more sensitive palates than others. Professional tasters, chefs, or people who pay close attention to food might pick up subtle differences that casual sweet eaters miss entirely.

Practical Advice for Serving Vegan Sweets

If you're considering serving vegan sweets at an event, bringing them to a party, or just trying them yourself, here's what actually works.

Don't Make a Big Announcement

The fastest way to make people skeptical about vegan sweets is to announce "These are vegan!" before anyone's tried them. Just serve them as sweets. If someone asks whether they're suitable for vegans, say yes. But don't lead with it as if it's unusual or requires special consideration.

Choose the Right Types

Some vegan sweets are virtually indistinguishable from traditional versions:

Hard boiled sweets are your safest bet. Fruit drops, sherbet lemons, traditional boiled sweets, these rarely contained animal products anyway. Vegan certified versions taste identical. Our hard boiled sweets range includes classics that everyone recognises.

Fizzy and sour sweets work brilliantly because the intense flavour masks any subtle differences. Fizzy cola bottles, sour strawberries, these are crowd pleasers. Check our fizzy and sour sweets for popular options.

Jelly sweets using pectin rather than gelatine are now so good that most people genuinely can't tell. The texture is slightly different if you're paying close attention, but served at a party or gathering, no one notices. Our jelly sweets selection includes plenty of vegan options.

Dark chocolate is naturally vegan friendly. Many people prefer it anyway. For milk chocolate alternatives, look for oat based versions which tend to be the creamiest.

Mix and Match

If you're nervous about serving all vegan sweets, create a mixed selection. Include some obviously traditional items alongside vegan options. Often you'll find the vegan sweets disappear just as quickly. People choose based on what looks appealing, not what's vegan or not.

For events or parties, our Sunshine Bundles offer pre selected variety that includes both traditional and vegan options, making it easy to cater to everyone.

Label for Allergies, Not for Drama

Do label vegan sweets clearly for people who need to know (vegans, people with dairy allergies, those avoiding gelatine for religious reasons). But frame it practically: "dairy free," "gelatine free," "suitable for vegans" rather than making it sound like an alternative or compromise.

Many vegan sweets are also halal certified, which broadens their appeal for religious and dietary reasons beyond veganism.

The Benefits Beyond Taste

Even if vegan sweets tasted slightly different (and mostly they don't), there are solid practical reasons to choose them.

Inclusive by default. Vegan sweets work for vegans obviously, but also for people with dairy allergies, egg allergies, and often for those following halal or kosher diets. One sweet type covers multiple dietary needs, which makes hosting or event planning infinitely easier.

Longer shelf life in some cases. Dairy products spoil. Vegan sweets without dairy often keep longer, particularly useful for bulk purchases or seasonal stock like Christmas sweets bought well in advance.

Fewer allergy concerns. Removing eggs and dairy eliminates two of the most common food allergens. This matters enormously for school events, children's parties, and workplace gatherings where you might not know everyone's dietary restrictions.

Environmental considerations. Some people choose vegan sweets for sustainability reasons. If the taste is comparable (which it is), then environmental impact becomes a tiebreaker.

What to Look for When Buying

If you're shopping for vegan sweets, whether for yourself or to serve to others, here's what indicates quality.

Proper certification matters. Look for the Vegan Society trademark (a sunflower symbol) or similar recognised certification. This confirms products have been properly checked, not just labeled vegan by the manufacturer. Certified products give confidence to strict vegans and to people with severe allergies.

Check the ingredients list. Some sweets marketed as vegan might still be made in facilities that handle milk or eggs, which matters for severe allergies. Look for clear allergen statements if this affects you or your guests.

Brand reputation counts. Established sweet brands now making vegan options have invested in getting the taste right because their reputation depends on it. They're not making "worthy but bland" products; they're making sweets that need to compete directly with their traditional ranges.

Try before buying in bulk. If you're uncertain, buy small amounts first. Our seasonal sweets guide includes vegan options perfect for trying different varieties before committing to larger quantities.

The Bottom Line

So, can non vegans tell the difference in vegan sweets? Usually no, and when they can, it often doesn't matter.

In blind taste tests, most people cannot consistently identify vegan sweets. Even when differences exist, they're subtle and often come down to personal preference rather than objective quality. Some people prefer the vegan versions. Some prefer traditional. Most genuinely can't tell or don't care as long as the sweet tastes good.

The bigger barrier isn't taste. It's expectation and psychology. When someone knows something is vegan beforehand, they approach it differently. When they don't know, they just eat sweets and enjoy them or not based on flavour, texture, and sweetness like they would with any sweet.

For hosts, this is liberating. You can serve vegan sweets confidently, knowing that blind taste tests repeatedly show people enjoy them. You're not asking guests to make a sacrifice or compromise. You're offering sweets that happen to be suitable for more people.

For non vegans curious about trying vegan sweets, the message is simple: judge them on their own merits. Don't compare them to your absolute favourite specific brand you've eaten for 20 years. Try them as sweets. You might be surprised how little difference there is, or you might discover versions you actually prefer.

The vegan sweet market has matured enormously. These aren't niche specialty items anymore. They're mainstream products made with better ingredients and better manufacturing than ever before. Whether you're vegan, feeding vegans, dealing with allergies, or just curious, modern vegan sweets stand up to scrutiny.

We stock quality vegan and vegetarian sweets because our customers, vegan and non vegan alike, have told us they want them. Not as a compromise, but as genuine choices they're happy to eat. That's the real answer to whether non vegans can tell the difference: they can sometimes, but increasingly they don't need to because the quality is there regardless.

Try them yourself. Conduct your own blind taste test with friends or family. You might find that the difference everyone talks about is far smaller than the conversation suggests. And if you genuinely prefer traditional sweets after a fair comparison, that's fine too. But give vegan sweets the same fair shot you'd give any new product. The results might surprise you.

If you want to explore options or have questions about specific products, dietary certifications, or what works best for different occasions, get in touch. We're happy to help you find sweets that work for everyone, vegan or not.