If you grew up in the ’90s or early 2000s, you know exactly what joy looked like: a humble paper plate at your best friend’s birthday party. It wasn’t about fancy buffets or elaborate spreads. It was that simple, magical platter that held everything: a slice of cream cake (with too much icing), a crispy samosa or aloo patty, a few brightly wrapped toffees, and of course, a chilled pack of Frooti. Today, we all have access to gourmet desserts and exotic drinks, but nothing – absolutely nothing – matches the joy those childhood treats brought. Even thinking of them transports us back to those long childhood afternoons. And today, these foods act as delicious time machines that carry us back to our sweet childhood.
Foods And Drinks That Defined The Simple Joys Of Childhood
1. Bytes
Remember Bytes? Those tiny chocolate-filled, crunchy squares? They were the perfect after-school snack that made us feel like we were eating something fancy. Whether you munched on them while watching cartoons or secretly ate them before dinner, Bytes were every ’90s kid’s version of happiness.
2. Rasna
If summer had a flavour, it would be Rasna. Just hearing “I love you Rasna!” brings back a flood of memories, doesn’t it? Mixing the syrup at home felt like a big deal, measuring the powder, adding water, and stirring until it turned that bright orange. We’d sip it cold after a game outside or share it proudly with friends who came over. That tangy sweetness was childhood bottled up.
3. Alpenliebe Strawberry
Soft, creamy, and deliciously sweet, Alpenliebe Strawberry was every child’s little treat. You would put one in your mouth and let it melt, enjoying every last bit of that velvety strawberry sweetness. During school breaks, you would share it with friends or save it for the right moment.
4. Hippo Chips
Hippo Chips were the fun snack everyone loved. The packaging was full of jokes, the mascot was adorable, and the chips were light and crunchy. They weren’t fried but baked, which made us (and our parents) feel a bit better about snacking endlessly. Every handful of those spiced puffs tasted like fun.
5. Kanche Wala Banta
Before cold drinks became common, there was Banta, the cool glass bottle sealed with a marble. Pressing the marble down and hearing that satisfying pop was the highlight of every summer day. The drink itself was just what we needed after running around outside. You’d find it at roadside stalls, and holding that glass bottle made you feel instantly refreshed. It wasn’t just a drink, it was a whole experience.
6. Tang
At home, everyone wanted to drink Tang. It felt like science to mix that orange powder with cold water and watch it whirl. Every sip seemed unique because of the sweet, citrussy flavour. Tang offered the ideal blend of tanginess and pleasure, whether you were sipping it on a hot summer afternoon or after a long school day.
7. Frooti
The greatest mango drink was and is Frooti. Every picnic, road trip, and school outing needed that bright yellow Tetra Pak. The fun of poking the straw through the packet and taking that first sweet sip was unbeatable. Frooti was thick, fruity, and full of sunshine, it made even the hottest days feel a little happier.
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8. Cheese Balls
The orange fingers say it all! Cheese Balls were loud, crunchy, and messy, exactly how childhood should be. You’d open a pack and instantly get hit by that cheesy smell that made you drool. Sharing them (if you did) with friends during cartoons or picnics made the moment even better. And that crunch is something we’ll never forget!
9. Boomer Bubble Gum
Boomer was our first introduction to feeling “cool.” Those pink, chewy squares tasted sweet and fruity, and blowing bubbles with them was almost a competition. Who could make the biggest one? Who’d get it stuck on their nose? We all had our moments! And when the flavour ran out, we’d still chew just because it felt fun.
10. Cream Rolls
A visit to the local bakery was never complete without picking up a cream roll. The golden, flaky outer shell with sweet vanilla cream inside was the perfect blend of texture and taste. It was one of those simple pleasures: eating it slowly, trying not to let the cream spill out, and feeling like you were indulging in something fancy.
11. Nutties
Nutties were a treasure: tiny, crunchy, and wrapped in chocolate. Boasting the right balance of chocolatey and nutty flavours, they were simply addictive. Enjoying a box of Nutties while watching a movie or reading comics was the highlight of our day.
12. Phantom Cigarettes
These sugary white candy sticks were both fun and mischievous. Even though we were only eating pure sugar, pretending to “smoke” them with pals made us feel mature and rebellious! Somehow, their chalky sweetness made us want more. Phantom Cigarettes was all about the drama, a small act of innocence mixed with pretend maturity.
13. Cotton Candy
No fair or school carnival was complete without a big, fluffy stick of cotton candy. Watching the vendor spin sugar into colourful clouds felt magical. It melted in your mouth in an instant, leaving behind sweetness and sticky fingers. Cotton candy brought joy, laughing, vibrant colours, and a sense of innocent wonder.
14. Aloo Patties
Hot, flaky, and filled with spiced potatoes, the humble aloo patty was everyone’s favourite bakery snack. The smell alone could make your mouth water. Enjoying one was almost an after-school ritual. Simple, affordable, and so comforting, even today, one bite of steaming hot aloo patties can transport us straight back to our school days.
15. Chuski
Summer wasn’t summer without chuski! Whether it was kala khatta, rose, or orange, there was something about that sweet, tangy, icy taste that made everything better. The purple-stained tongue and sticky hands were proof of a good time. Chuski is one of the best foods that remind us of childhood in its simplest form.
These beloved foods made our childhood so deliciously unforgettable!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/Amine İspir and Canva/mds0
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