M&Ms

M&Ms Plain and Peanut have new colors but the same candy taste you remember. "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand." Don't miss the retro TV commercial below.

M&Ms History

M&M's is a popular and iconic candy brand that has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world for decades. These colorful chocolate candies are known for their distinctive "m" logo and hard candy shell, making them a beloved treat for all ages. Let's explore the fascinating history of M&M's candy.

The story of M&M's began in the 1930s when Mars, Incorporated, a confectionery company founded by Franklin Clarence Mars, was approached by Forrest Mars Sr., the son of Franklin Mars. Forrest Mars had observed soldiers in the Spanish Civil War consuming chocolate pellets coated with a hard shell to prevent melting. This inspired him to develop a similar candy for the civilian market.

In 1941, M&M's were officially introduced to the public. The name "M&M's" stands for "Mars & Murrie's," referring to Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie, son of William Murrie, the president of Hershey's Chocolate. The partnership with Hershey's was crucial, as it allowed M&M's to utilize Hershey's chocolate in the production of their candy.

The original M&M's candy featured a milk chocolate filling surrounded by a colored hard candy shell. The candy was initially available in a variety of colors, including brown, yellow, red, green, and violet. Each color had the same flavor, allowing consumers to enjoy a variety of colors without sacrificing taste.

During World War II, M&M's became popular among soldiers as they were convenient and could withstand high temperatures without melting. They were included in soldiers' rations and played a role in boosting morale during the war.

In 1950, the iconic "m" logo was imprinted on each candy piece, providing a distinctive and recognizable symbol for the brand. This logo has remained a trademark feature of M&M's ever since.

Over the years, M&M's has expanded its product line to include various flavors, sizes, and special editions. Peanut M&M's, introduced in 1954, featured a peanut center coated in the signature candy shell, offering a crunchy and nutty twist to the original candy. Additional variations, such as almond, crispy, and pretzel M&M's, have since been introduced, providing a wide range of flavor options to cater to different preferences.

M&M's has also become known for its vibrant marketing campaigns and memorable characters, such as the lovable "spokescandies" including the Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, and Green M&M's. These characters have brought a playful and humorous element to the brand, contributing to its popularity and enduring appeal.

Today, M&M's is available in numerous countries worldwide and continues to be a favorite candy choice for people of all ages. The brand has expanded beyond the original milk chocolate version and offers a wide range of flavors, limited editions, and seasonal variations, ensuring there's always something new to discover.

M&M's candy has become a cultural phenomenon, synonymous with indulgence, fun, and sharing moments of enjoyment. Its rich history, delicious taste, and recognizable branding have made it a beloved treat that has stood the test of time, and it continues to captivate candy enthusiasts around the globe.

M&Ms Memories

When I was a kid whenever we'd visit my grandparents' house my grandmother kept M&Ms in her coffee table drawer. We knew she'd eventually offer us some. We just had to wait patiently to see when it was going to be. She kept two bags of M&Ms in the coffee table drawer one plain and one peanut.

Each time we went to her house we got to choose which kind we wanted. It was soon that I learned that she would give us less of the peanut kind and more of the plain so that I began to ask for the plain variety figuring out that I would get more of those. It was only then that we first had M&Ms and it was then that I remember all of the different colors of M&Ms featuring the tan ones.

It was until later when my sisters and I got older that we began spending our allowance money on M&Ms where we bought huge bags of M&Ms and then of course dividing them evenly by color. M&Ms now a long time favorite that was introduced to me by my grandmother. ~ Kelly from Texas