The global candy market is expected to reach 290.7 billion US dollars by 2028. This figure shows how giant and popular the market has become. Not only children but also elder people are in love with chocolates and candies. Though there are several famous brands in the market, the two brands that everyone knows about are M&M and Skittles. Both of them might seem similar but they are different.
M&M vs Skittles
The main difference between M&M and Skittles is that M&Ms have a little ‘m’ written on every candy whereas Skittles have a little ‘S’ written. Also, M&Ms are generally chocolate flavored and crispy. On the other hand, Skittles are generally fruit-flavored and are chewy when you eat them. M&Ms don’t have a lot of variety in their tastes but Skittles do.
M&M are small button-shaped candies. The candies are covered by a hard shell which can be red, blue, brown, yellow, or orange. Inside the hard shell, there is a sweet filling most probably of chocolate. Other fillings include peanut butter, caramel, dark chocolate, almond, pretzel, and others.
Skittles are fruit-flavored candies with a button-like shape. Generally, their outer shell can be red, yellow, green, orange, or purple. These colors resemble different flavors. For example, red is for strawberry, orange is for orange, yellow is for lemon, green is for lime, and purple is for blackcurrant.
Comparison Table Between M&M and Skittles
Parameters of Comparison | M&M | Skittles |
Launched in (year) | 1941 | 1974 |
Launched in (country) | USA | Britain |
Flavor | Chocolate, peanut, nuts | Fruity (lime, strawberry, etc.) |
Texture of filling | Crispy | Chewy |
Insignia | ‘m’ written on each candy | ‘S’ written on each candy |
Calories (1 pack) | 230 | 250 |
Total Fat (1 pack) | 9g | 2.5g |
Protein (1 pack) | 2g | 0g |
What is M&M?
M&M are button-shaped candies that come in chocolate, nut, and peanut flavors. They are crispy to eat and their outer shell is made up of different colors. The outer shell also has a little ‘m’ written on it which distinguishes it from other confectioneries. Starting in the United States, the company now sells in more than 100 countries.
M&M candies were originally invented for soldiers during the Spanish Civil War. The chocolate used to meltdown in the warm climate of Spain, and to tackle that problem M&M candies were introduced. They had a hard sugar covering around the chocolate so that it remains solid in the tropical climate. M&Ms were sold exclusively to the military during World War II. The U.S. Army was the company’s first customer, and luckily it was the biggest which allowed M&Ms to gain market in the civil societies later.
M&M Limited was founded by Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie. One ‘M’ in M&M is for “Mars” and the other one is for “Murrie”. Bruce Murrie was the son of William Murrie, the president of Hershey Chocolate. This deal was essential as the candies required chocolate and at that time Hershey’s were dominant in the chocolate market. Currently, Mars Incorporated owns the M&M brand.
What is Skittles?
Skittles are fruit-flavored candies made up of colorful outer shells. These shells have an engraved ‘S’ which identifies them from other candies. Skittles are marketed by the Wrigley Company, which is a division of Mars Incorporated. Mars Inc. acquired the Wrigley Company in 2008, and in 2016, it merged the Wrigley Company in its chocolate division.
Skittles was invented in Britain in 1974. It is said that the name “Skittles” was derived from a game. This game was played in various European nations. The players have to throw a sphere at nine pins. This sphere was called a “skittle”. Skittles were introduced in the US in 1979, and since then they have been able to keep up in the confectionery market. Skittles are now being sold in more than 60 countries and it offers more than a hundred flavors.
Skittles are also known for their marketing strategies. Their slogan “taste the rainbow” is one of a kind and expresses everything the candies offer. In 2016, Skittles launched white candies to support the Gay Rights Movement. This was a bold move and a controversial one, but the Wrigley Company still produces white candies in June.
Main Differences Between M&M and Skittles
Conclusion
Though they are owned by the same company Mars Incorporated, M&M and Skittles are two very different candies. However, both of them are equally popular among the population and they are both delicious in their ways. They share their similarities, but that doesn’t make them the same.
To summarize, M&M are colored candies with a crispy filling largely made up of chocolate or peanut butter. Skittles are fruit-flavored and chewy candies. M&M candies have an ‘m’ written on them and Skittles have an ‘S’. Both of the candies are button-shaped and have colored outer shells. Moreover, the color of a Skittles also defines its flavor. For example, red is for strawberry and so on.
References
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