Chocolate tubs have become a staple of British festive and family gatherings.
They offer a ready-mixed assortment of favourites like Cadbury Heroes, Roses, Celebrations, and Quality Street, all packaged for easy sharing.
Their popularity stems from variety, convenience, and strong brand heritage that spans decades of confectionery tradition in the UK.
What Chocolate Tubs Are and Why They’re So Popular
In the UK, “chocolate tubs” describe large, resealable containers filled with individually wrapped miniature chocolates or sweets.
They’re most common during Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, when families stock up for guests or gifting.
Each tub mixes multiple textures — creamy, nutty, chewy, and caramel-filled pieces — offering something for everyone.
Supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s promote them heavily during the winter season, with multi-buy offers and limited editions.
Leading Chocolate Tub Brands in the UK Market
Cadbury Heroes
Manufactured by Mondelez International, Cadbury Heroes blend miniature versions of classic Cadbury bars such as Dairy Milk, Crunchie Bits, Twirl, and Fudge.
Heroes are known for their creamy milk chocolate base and appeal to those who prefer smooth British chocolate textures.
Cadbury Roses
Roses, another long-standing Cadbury brand, provide individually wrapped pralines, truffles, and toffees in bright foil wrappers.
They were first launched in 1938 and continue to symbolise nostalgic gifting traditions across the UK.
Mars Celebrations
Produced by Mars Wrigley UK, Celebrations combine miniatures of global favourites like Snickers, Bounty, Galaxy, and Milky Way.
Each piece retains its signature recipe but appears in smaller, shareable sizes — making Celebrations one of the most recognisable party tubs.
Nestlé Quality Street
Quality Street, produced by Nestlé, features a mix of milk and dark chocolates with caramels, toffees, and fruit-flavoured creams.
The purple tin has become iconic during Christmas, representing variety and traditional craftsmanship.
Others Emerging in 2025
Smaller UK confectioners such as Whitakers and OBD Foods now release artisan sharing tubs, often using richer cocoa blends, foil-wrapped creams, or vegan recipes to compete with mass-market brands.
Typical Nutrition and Ingredients Profile
Chocolate tubs share a broad nutritional range depending on brand and mix.
Per 100 g, the average tub assortment contains:
- Energy: 2000 kJ (480 kcal)
- Fat: 23–27 g of which saturates ≈ 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g (mainly sugar ≈ 55 g)
- Protein: 4–6 g
- Salt: 0.25 g
Most contain milk solids, cocoa mass, cocoa butter, sugar, palm fat, glucose syrup, whey powder, and flavourings.
They are typically labelled “suitable for vegetarians” but not for vegans, since milk chocolate dominates the assortments.
Packaging, Sizes, and Storage
Modern chocolate tubs are made from lightweight recyclable plastic or cardboard-based containers with snap-on lids.
Common retail sizes include:
- 550 g – 600 g standard tubs (Heroes, Roses, Quality Street)
- 650 g – 750 g family size tubs (Celebrations, Christmas editions)
- 900 g + tins sold online or in wholesale packs
They should be stored in a cool, dry place below 20 °C and kept sealed after opening to preserve texture and flavour.
How Chocolate Tubs Compare to Boxes and Pouches
While chocolate boxes such as Ferrero Rocher Collection target gifting with elegant presentation,
tubs prioritise quantity and variety.
Pouches (e.g. Maltesers or Mini Twirls Share Bags) offer smaller volumes but higher portability.
Tubs sit in the mid-range value segment, providing roughly £1.30 – £1.60 per 100 g, which makes them cost-efficient for group occasions.
Sustainability and Recycling in the UK
Brands like Mars Wrigley and Mondelez have pledged to make their plastic tubs 100 % recyclable by 2025.
Many supermarkets now accept soft-plastic wrappers via in-store collection bins.
Cadbury Roses and Heroes tubs already use 30 % recycled PET, reducing landfill waste compared with older designs.
Buying and Availability
During autumn and winter, chocolate tubs dominate seasonal aisles at major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Iceland, and Aldi.
They’re also widely available online through Amazon UK and direct brand shops.
Limited-edition tubs such as “Heroes Festive Mix” or “Quality Street Vegan Tin” often appear in November and sell out before Christmas.
FAQs
Here are some questions and answers about chocolate tubs in the UK.
What is the most popular chocolate tub in the UK?
Cadbury Heroes and Mars Celebrations consistently rank among the top-selling tubs in British supermarkets during the Christmas season.
Are chocolate tubs suitable for vegetarians?
Yes. Most tubs, including Heroes, Roses, and Celebrations, contain milk but no gelatine or animal fat, making them suitable for vegetarians.
Are there vegan or dairy-free chocolate tubs available?
A few newer brands, such as Whitakers and OBD, produce plant-based assortments using oat or rice milk chocolate. However, mainstream tubs from Cadbury, Mars, and Nestlé are not vegan.
How long do chocolate tubs last after opening?
When resealed and stored in a cool cupboard, they maintain best quality for six to eight weeks after opening.
Can the tubs be recycled?
Yes. Most modern tubs are recyclable through household plastic collection or supermarket return points. Always check the recycling code on the base.