Starburst is the candy brand known for individually wrapped fruit chews called Starburst.
Starburst candies are soft, chewy sweets made in fruit flavors and commonly sold as individually wrapped pieces. The brand originated in the United Kingdom, where it was introduced in 1960 under the name Opal Fruits. It was later renamed Starburst in many markets, including the United States.
The original Opal Fruits flavors were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime. The product’s name change is a frequent source of confusion because both names refer to the same underlying candy brand in different periods and regions.
Starburst differs from hard fruit candies because its texture comes from a soft chew rather than a brittle sugar shell. It also differs from gummy candy, which generally has a more elastic gelatin-based texture. Regional flavor assortments vary, but the brand’s core identity remains individually wrapped fruit-flavored chews.