Title: The Sweet History of M&M's Candy: From Military Snack to Iconic Treat
Introduction:
M&M's, the delicious and colorful candies loved by millions around the world, have a fascinating history that dates back to the 1930s. From their humble beginnings to becoming a staple in candy stores and households, M&M's have captured the hearts and taste buds of candy enthusiasts. Let's take a trip down memory lane and uncover the sweet history of M&M's candy.
The Birth of M&M's:
In the 1930s, Forrest Mars Sr., son of Mars Candy Company founder Frank C. Mars, discovered the concept for M&M's. Inspired by British soldiers eating chocolate-covered pellets with a hard shell called Smarties, Mars developed his own panning process to create a similar candy. In 1941, the first M&M's were produced in Newark, NJ.
The Collaborative Name:
The name "M&M's" originated from the collaboration between Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie, son of Hershey's President William F.R Murrie. Mars offered Murrie a 20% share in M&M's, with the condition that the candies would be exclusively made with Hershey's Chocolate. Thus, M&M's was named after the two "M's" behind the project.
The Early Years:
During World War II, M&M's gained popularity as a rationed treat for the U.S. Army. The candies were specially designed to withstand high temperatures without melting, making them an ideal snack for soldiers in the field. The exclusive contract with the Army led to counterfeiting attempts, leading to the introduction of the iconic "M" logo stamped on each candy. The logo was later changed from black to white in 1954 to distinguish genuine M&M's from imitations.
Expanding the Line:
In 1954, M&M's introduced their famous tagline, "melt in your mouth, not in your hand," emphasizing the candy's unique candy shell. Building on their success, M&M's launched Peanut M&Ms the same year, adding a crunchy and salty peanut center to the candy-coated shell. Over the years, the brand expanded its product line further, introducing almond M&Ms in 1960 and bringing back peanut M&Ms with various colored shells.
Evolution of Colors and Characters:
M&M's candies are known for their vibrant colors and iconic characters. The colors have evolved over time, with notable changes such as the switch from red to orange due to the Red Dye scare in the '70s. Inspired by artist and animator Will Vinton, M&M's introduced lively personalities to their candy characters in 1995. Red became the cynical mascot, yellow the happy and gullible one, blue the cool and collected, green the seductive, orange the slightly neurotic, and purple representing acceptance and inclusivity.
Innovations and Flavors:
As M&M's gained popularity, the brand continued to innovate and expand its product range. In the 2000s, M&M's introduced various flavors like Pretzel M&M's, Coffee Nut M&M's, Caramel M&M's, English Toffee M&M's, Hazelnut Spread M&M's, and Fudge Brownie M&M's. These new flavors delighted fans and provided even more options for chocolate lovers to enjoy.
Conclusion:
M&M's candy has come a long way since its inception in the 1930s. From its roots as a military snack to becoming an iconic treat loved by people of all ages, M&M's continue to captivate candy enthusiasts worldwide. The combination of a delicious chocolate center and a vibrant candy shell, along with the brand's commitment to innovation, has solidified M&M's as a timeless and delightful treat. So the next time you enjoy a handful of M&M's, take a moment to appreciate the rich history behind those colorful candies that bring joy to our taste buds.