For many British households, the festive season is synonymous with the ritual of opening a colourful tin of assorted chocolates. Among the perennial favourites, Quality Street holds a cherished place. However, this Christmas, a wave of disappointment has swept through fans who have spotted a significant alteration to one of the selection's most iconic sweets: the Purple One.
The Great Chocolate Shrinkage
Devotees of the hazelnut-filled treat have taken to social media platforms like Reddit to voice their dismay over what they are calling a 'disappointing' change. The core of the complaint is that the Purple One is now noticeably smaller and has lost its distinctive long, domed shape. Instead, it has adopted a more circular form, closely resembling the Caramel Swirl chocolate also found in the mix.
While the confectionery giant Nestlé actually implemented this redesign back in 2024, following a successful trial at the end of 2023, it appears many consumers are only registering the difference this holiday season. The reaction has been one of pure nostalgia mixed with frustration.
One Reddit user, Papa_Handwash, lamented: 'Hands down the biggest downgrade I’ve come across. Waxy, small, inconsistent, and SO far from its former glory.' Another, No-Sandwich1511, added poignantly, 'I am glad my grandfather is not around to witness this disappointment, the purple was his favourite.'
More Than Just a Shape Change
The transformation of the Purple One was not an isolated incident. Nestlé also revamped the Orange Crunch last year, giving it the same circular shape as the Caramel Swirl and the new Purple One. Furthermore, the wrapper for the Purple One has been switched from a traditional foil to a paper alternative.
At the time of the change, Jemma Handley, senior brand manager for Quality Street, sought to reassure customers. She stated that great care had been taken to ensure it remained 'the same great tasting The Purple One and Orange Crunch that people know and love in their iconic coloured wrappers.' She emphasised the brand's awareness of how passionately fans feel about their favourites.
The Rise of Alternative Christmas Tubs
Despite these assurances, the cumulative effect of various changes to classic chocolate assortments over recent years is prompting some shoppers to look beyond the traditional brands. This shift in loyalty has benefited alternatives like Marks & Spencer’s Big Mix.
Priced at £7 for a 650g carton or £12 for a large 1.2kg tin, the M&S selection offers ten different sweets, including Salted Caramel and Coffee Truffle, all in vegetarian-friendly colourful wrappers. Online reviews suggest it is winning over disenchanted chocolate lovers. One shopper, littlepieces, awarded it 5 stars, calling it the 'Best chocolate box for Christmas!' and confirming they had switched from the popular brands.
The saga of the Purple One highlights a delicate balance for heritage brands: innovating for modern production while preserving the beloved details that evoke Christmases past. For a growing number of Brits, this particular change has broken the spell, sending them in search of a new festive favourite.
