M&M's

The Secret behind the Colorful M&M Chocolate Candies

M&M chocolate candies have been a household favorite for decades. The small, round, and colorful chocolates are not just tasty but also have a unique texture that melts in your mouth. If you have ever wondered about the story behind these delectable candies, you're in for a treat. In this blog post, we will uncover the secret behind the colorful M&M chocolates. From its inception to its marketing strategy, we'll take you on a journey of M&M's fascinating history. So sit back, relax, and get ready to dive into the world of M&M's - also known as M and M's.

What are M&M's?

M&M's are chocolate candies that are loved by people all over the world. These candies come in a variety of colours and are made with a milk chocolate centre coated with a colourful candy shell. They are often sold in small packages and can be found in almost every supermarket or convenience store.
M&M's were first introduced in 1941 by Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie, who created the candy during World War II. The candy was originally intended for soldiers as a snack that wouldn't melt in their pockets. It wasn't until after the war that M&M's were sold to the public.
Since their introduction, M&M's have become a staple in the candy industry, with millions of bags sold each year. They are now available in many different varieties, including peanut butter, caramel, and pretzel, among others.
M&M's have a unique flavour that many people love, making them a favourite snack for both kids and adults. They are also a popular addition to desserts and baked goods, as they add a burst of colour and flavour to any dish.
Whether you love them for their classic milk chocolate flavour or enjoy trying the various new varieties, M&M's will continue to be a beloved treat for generations to come.

The History of M&M's

M&M's, also known as "melt in your mouth, not in your hand" chocolates, was created by Forrest Mars Sr. in the 1930s. Forrest Mars Sr. was the son of the founder of the Mars company, which is now a worldwide candy manufacturer.
The inspiration for M&M's came during Forrest's time in Spain. During the Spanish Civil War, Forrest observed soldiers eating chocolate candies coated in a hard shell to prevent them from melting in the heat. Forrest saw the potential in this and decided to bring it back to the United States.
In partnership with Bruce Murrie, son of the president of Hershey's Chocolate Corporation, Forrest created M&M's. The "M" in M&M's stands for Mars, while the "Ms" in the name symbolize the partnership with Hershey's.
M&M's were initially sold exclusively to the military during World War II. It wasn't until 1949 that M&M's became available to the general public.
Over the years, M&M's have expanded their product line to include a variety of flavours, such as peanut butter, pretzel, and almond. M&M's have also been used in a variety of marketing campaigns, including the iconic "melts in your mouth, not in your hand" tagline and the popular "M&M's" characters, each with their unique personality.
Today, M&M's are enjoyed by people of all ages and are a staple at parties, movie theatres, and households around the world.

How are M&M's made?

M&M's are made through a process known as "panning." This involves placing small pieces of chocolate into a rotating drum filled with sugar and other ingredients. As the drum rotates, the chocolate pieces tumble and the sugar mixture gradually builds up around them. This process continues until the candies have grown to the desired size.
Once the candies have reached the desired size, they are removed from the drum and a layer of coloured confectioner's glaze is applied to their exterior. This is what gives M&M's their iconic vibrant colours. The glaze also serves to protect the chocolate inside from melting, making M&M's a popular choice for snacks on the go.
The M&M's are then sorted by colour and packaged for distribution. The process may seem simple, but it takes a great deal of precision and expertise to ensure that each piece of candy is the same size and shape and that the colours are consistent.
M&M's have been made using the same process since they were first introduced in 1941. However, there have been some changes to the recipe over the years. For example, M&M's originally contained a milk chocolate centre, but in the 1990s the company began offering dark chocolate and other varieties to cater to different tastes.
Overall, the process of making M&M's may be straightforward, but the result is a delicious and iconic candy that has stood the test of time.

Why are there different colors of M&M's?

One of the most fascinating aspects of M&M's chocolates is their vibrant and diverse colour palette. But have you ever wondered why there are different colours of M&M's? Here are some possible reasons:
Initially, when M&M's was first introduced in the US market during the 1940s, it was available in brown colour only. However, in the late 1940s, M&M's started offering its product in a wide range of colours to attract more customers. This strategy of offering a range of colours worked like magic and became a hit amongst children, as they enjoyed collecting and eating the different-coloured M&M's.
Each M&M chocolate candy shell has a thin layer of sugar or syrup-based coating, which makes it more resistant to melting. To give different colours to each candy, food-grade dyes are mixed with the sugar or syrup solution that forms the outer layer of the candy. This process makes it easier for manufacturers to create various colours in the M&M's chocolates.
Fun and Creativity:
M&M's is a fun and playful brand, and offering a range of different colours in their chocolates fits with this ethos. They often use different colours to commemorate specific occasions or festivals such as Christmas, Easter, or Halloween. Some of the most popular colours of M&M's are red, green, yellow, blue, and brown, with each having its own unique personality and flavour.

Fun Facts about M&M's

1. M&M's were originally made for soldiers during World War II because they could easily carry them without them melting in their pockets.
2. In the 1950s, M&M's came up with the famous slogan "Melts in your mouth, not in your hands."
3. The "M" on each M&M candy stands for the surnames of the original founders, Mars and Murrie.
4. M&M's come in a variety of flavours, including peanut butter, almond, caramel, and pretzel.
5. In 1987, M&M's introduced the first ever "holiday-themed" candies for Christmas. Today, there are special editions for every holiday, including Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas.
6. In 1995, M&M's launched the "Vote for Your Favorite Color" campaign and blue M&M's were introduced to the world as the new colour.
7. The blue M&M was almost retired in 1995 after a "Name the Color" contest was held, with many suggesting the name "Turquoise."
8. In 2004, M&M's partnered with the popular video game "Ms. Pac-Man" to introduce a new candy, which had Ms. Pac-Man's face printed on the candy shell.
9. M&M's have been featured in many movies, including "ET the Extra-Terrestrial," where they played a central role in the plot.
10. In 2013, the world's largest M&M's dispenser was installed in Times Square, New York. The dispenser stands at 48 feet tall and is capable of dispensing 17 million M&M's per day!