An Unexpected Soft Drink Crossover
The Colin the Caterpillar cake is an M&S institution, a fixture of British birthday parties for over thirty years. Tango, particularly the Apple variant, is a similarly long-standing brand, known for its aggressive marketing and intensely sharp fruit flavour. A new piece of packaging design work brings the two together.
The box shows a standard Colin the Caterpillar sponge roll, but with its chocolate shell and decorations rendered in the bright green associated with Tango Apple. The classic Colin face remains, but the box is co-branded with the distinctive, black-and-orange Tango logo. The caption that accompanied the image read: “Colin the Caterpillar Tango Apple cake! Would this tangy treat get you Tango’d?”
The Expanded Colin Universe
An official flavour extension like this would not be entirely out of character for the Colin brand, which has expanded far beyond the original celebration cake. The character is now the face of a huge M&S range that seems to grow every year. This is a brand that has already seen significant diversification.
Today, the lineup includes bags of Colin the Caterpillar Softies, Speckles, and a whole collection of gummy sweets like Fruit Gums, Cola Gums, Cherry Gums, Sour Stomps, and Fruit Sours. For parties, there are Mini Colin the Caterpillar Cakes, Party Cups, and even branded Colin the Caterpillar Paper Plates. The core product is no longer just a single cake, but the anchor for a sprawling confectionery and partyware line.
Precedent for Drink Flavours
The idea of a soft drink-flavoured Colin product isn’t entirely new, even within the official range. M&S already produces Colin the Caterpillar Cola Gums and Cherry Gums, borrowing familiar profiles from the world of fizzy drinks. A move into apple, particularly one tied to a famous brand like Tango, would follow a logical pattern.
Brand crossovers are a reliable way to generate interest in the UK snack market, and this one pairs two very different but equally well-known names. One is a party centrepiece, the other an uncompromisingly sharp soft drink. The design suggests a product that would sit at the more adventurous end of the Colin the Caterpillar family.
What the real range looks like
The official M&S Colin the Caterpillar range is extensive. It includes the original cake, Mini Cakes, Softies, Speckles, and numerous gummy sweets like Fruit Gums, Cola Gums, Cherry Gums, and Sour Stomps. A Tango Apple flavour would join the Cola and Cherry Gums in borrowing its profile from a popular soft drink.
- M S Colin the Caterpillar Cake
- M S Colin the Caterpillar Softies
- M S Colin the Caterpillar Speckles
- M S Colin the Caterpillar Cola Gums
- M S Mini Colin the Caterpillar Cakes
- M S Colin the Caterpillar Fruit Gums
- M S Colin the Caterpillar Party Cups
- M S Colin the Caterpillar Party Time
- M S Colin the Caterpillar Sour Stomps
- M S Colin the Caterpillar Cherry Gums
Frequently asked questions
- What is Tango Apple?
- Tango Apple is a popular carbonated soft drink sold in the UK, known for its very sharp, tangy apple flavour. It’s part of the wider Tango range owned by Britvic.
- Is Colin the Caterpillar an M&S brand?
- Yes, Colin the Caterpillar was launched by Marks & Spencer in 1990 and is one of its most famous and legally protected food brands.
- Is the Tango Apple Colin the Caterpillar cake available to buy?
- No, this product is a Snackfish. It is a design concept and fictional product mockup created by the online page UK Snack Attack and is not on sale anywhere.
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- M&S Quality Street Green Triangle Doughnut Concept
- The Oasis Summer Fruits Colin the Caterpillar Cake Mockup
You have been Snackfished!
Snackfish :
[sn-a-ck-fish] verb
A snack that lies about its legitimacy as an official product online for internet clout and attention. Most commonly fabricated in Adobe Photoshop or using the unofficial Snackfish AI