M&M's, those delightful, colorful candies that have been a staple in snack bowls worldwide since 1941, have a rich history behind their vibrant hues. The color story of M&M's is as engaging as the melt-in-your-mouth experience of these chocolate pellets themselves.
Let's delve into the colorful history of M&M's, exploring how these tiny spheres evolved from a simple concept to a global sensation, all thanks to their eye-catching palette.
-origin And Early Colors
M&M's were invented by Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie, during a time when chocolate was scarce due to World War II. The 'M's stood for Mars and Murrie, but the humble beginnings of these candies are not the only fascinating part of their story. The initial colors of M&M's were also noteworthy.
Introduced in 1941, the first color scheme consisted of red, yellow, green, and violet. These colors were chosen not just for visual appeal, but also for their symbolic significance. Red represented the uniform of the U.S. Military, yellow symbolized the Army's Mess Hall, green denoted the Army's forage caps, and violet was inspired by M&M's communist rival, the Mars bar.
Expanding The Color Palette
In the 1950s, M&M's began to expand their color palette. Orange was added in 1954, followed by blue in 1956, and brown in 1960. During this period, M&M's also started producing��s for the military, which contributed to their widespread popularity in the U.S.
Interestingly, brown, often seen as a corporate color for M&M's, was initially an experimental color. It was added to see how a 'non-NCA' color (not part of the National Confectioners Association) would fare in the market. Needless to say, brown became a permanent color, and is now synonymous with M&M's.
The circle Of Color
While M&M's initially used four colors, they soon realized that seven colors made the candies look fuller and more vibrant. This change was also a savvy business move, as seven colors combined to form the perfect circle, symbolizing unity and completeness.
Today, M&M's are sold in 100 countries worldwide, offering a variety of colors that vary by region. While standard colors include red, orange, green, yellow, blue, purple, and brown, special colors like pink and tan are introduced for limited editions or holidays. Notably, colors like teal and raspberry have been included in international M&M's packs.
The Science Behind The Colors
The vibrant colors of M&M's are not just coatings. They are achieved through a sophisticated process involving edible dye and a type of natural wax called carnauba wax. The process, called Shellac Dipping, involves dipping the candies into a batch of melted colors, coating them with a thin film of hypercolor.
This color coat is then followed by a layer of carnauba wax, which creates a shiny, enduring finish and prevents the colors from rubbing off. This is also how M&M's got their name - their shells allow them to 'melt in your mouth, not in your hand'.
Color Evolution And Innovation
The color journey of M&M's doesn't stop at their traditional palette. Over the years, M&M's have introduced a variety of new colors and even color-changing candies. In 2002, they launched Valentine's Day pink candies, which became so popular that they were added to the permanent line. Similarly, limited edition colors like gold, silver, and purple have made appearances in special packs.
Innovative color-changing candies like "Sunny Days" (fruit-flavored candies that turn into a smiling sun shape when bitten) and "Color Burst" (candies that change color over time in your mouth) have also captivated consumers with their visual magic.
From their humble beginnings to their global reign, M&M's have come a long way, all the while evolving and innovating with their vibrant color scheme. Today, M&M's stand as a testament to the power of color, a fun treat that brightens up snack bowls and consumes the world, one color at a time.