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M&M’s are one of the world’s most popular candy brands, known for their small, colourful, button-shaped candies. These candies have been a favourite of people of all ages for decades and have even been used in baking, decorating and various other culinary creations. One of the most common questions people ask about M&M’s is how many colours they come in. While many people are familiar with the classic red, orange, yellow, green, blue and brown M&M’s, there are actually many more colours available, including some that are rare or discontinued. In this article, we will explore the different colours of M&M’s and give an overview of their history and manufacturing process.
History of M&M’s
M&M’s were first introduced in 1941 by Forrest Mars Sr, son of the founder of Mars, Inc. The candy was inspired by a technique used by soldiers during the Spanish Civil War, where they wrapped chocolate in a hard shell to prevent it from melting. Mars took this concept and created a small, round candy with a chocolate centre covered in a hard, colourful shell. The candy was initially sold exclusively to the military during World War II, but quickly became popular with civilians.
The classic M&M’s colours were originally red, yellow, green, brown and purple. However, during the 1940s and 1950s, some of these colours were discontinued due to wartime rationing and other factors. For example, purple M&M’s were discontinued in 1949 due to low sales, while red M&M’s were discontinued in 1976 due to concerns about the safety of the red dye.
Over the years, new colours have been introduced to the M&M’s range, including orange, blue and pink. Today, there are over 20 different colours of M&M’s available, including some limited edition and seasonal colours. The candy has also inspired several spin-off products such as M&M’s Minis, M&M’s Peanut Butter and M&M’s Pretzel.
The process of making M&M’s
M&M’s are made in several steps. First, the candy centres are made by mixing sugar, corn syrup and other ingredients in large, heated vats. The mixture is then poured into moulds and allowed to cool, forming small, round centres. These centres are then coated with a layer of liquid sugar and syrup, which helps to create a smooth surface for the candy shell to adhere to.
Next, the candy shells are made by mixing sugar, food colouring and other ingredients in large rotating drums. The mixture is heated and then sprayed onto the centre of the candy, creating a thin, hard shell. The shells are then polished and given a final coat of wax to enhance their shine and protect them from damage.
After the shells are applied, the M&M’s are sorted by colour using a machine that uses sensors to detect the different colours. The candies are then packaged and shipped to stores around the world.
The process of making M&M’s has evolved over the years, with new technology and equipment being introduced to improve efficiency and quality. However, the basic process has remained largely the same since the candy was first introduced over 80 years ago.
Varieties of M&M’s
M&M’s come in a wide variety of flavours and textures, as well as different colours. Some of the most popular varieties of M&M’s are
- Milk Chocolate: The classic M&M’s variety, with a milk chocolate centre and colourful candy coating.
- Peanut: M&M’s with a peanut centre, covered in milk chocolate and candy coating.
- Peanut Butter: M&M’s with a creamy peanut butter centre, covered in milk chocolate and candy coating.
- Crispy: M&M’s with a crispy rice centre, covered in milk chocolate and candy coating.
- Pretzel: M&M’s with a salty pretzel centre, covered in milk chocolate and candy coating.
- Dark chocolate: M&M’s with a dark chocolate centre, covered in colourful candy coating.
- Caramel: M&M’s with a soft caramel centre, covered in milk chocolate and candy coating.
In addition to these varieties, M&M’s also come in limited edition and seasonal flavours such as Pumpkin Spice, Candy Corn and Peppermint. The company has also introduced special edition M&M’s with unique packaging, such as M&M’s with sports team logos or movie characters on the wrapper. With so many different varieties to choose from, there is an M&M’s flavour to suit almost everyone.
How many colours of M&M’s are there?
While many people are familiar with the classic M&M’s colours of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and brown, there are actually many more colours available. From 2021, M&M’s will be available in over 20 different colours, including purple, pink, teal and maroon.
In addition to the regular colours, M&M’s also come in limited edition and seasonal colours. For example, during the holiday season, M&M’s may be available in red and green colours, while during Easter, pastel colours such as pink, yellow and blue may be available. Some limited edition colours have included black and white for Halloween and gold for special events such as the Academy Awards.
It’s worth noting that some colours have been discontinued over the years, such as purple and tan. These discontinued colours are now considered rare and can sometimes be found for sale by collectors on auction sites.
Rare and discontinued M&M’s colours
Over the years, several M&M’s colours have been discontinued, making them rare and highly sought after by collectors. One of the earliest discontinued colours was purple, which was introduced in the 1940s but discontinued in 1949 due to low sales.
Another discontinued colour was tan, which was introduced in the 1980s. Tan M&M’s were originally introduced to replace the light brown colour, but were discontinued in 1995 due to lack of popularity.
In addition to these rare colours, there have also been several limited edition and seasonal colours that are no longer available. For example, in the 1990s, M&M’s released a patriotic mix of red, white and blue candies that were only available for a limited time. Other limited edition colours included lime green, aqua and hot pink.
While it can be difficult to find these rare and discontinued M&M’s colours, they are sometimes available for sale on auction sites or through private collectors. Some collectors even display their rare M&M’s collections in special cases or frames.
Conclusion
In conclusion, M&M’s are one of the most iconic and popular candy brands in the world, known for their small, colourful and delicious candies. While many people are familiar with the classic M&M’s colours, such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue and brown, there are actually many more colours available, including some rare and discontinued varieties.
The process of making M&M’s is complex and involves several steps, including creating the candy centre, applying the candy coating and sorting the candies by colour. Over the years, the company has introduced several different flavours and textures of M&M’s, including peanut, pretzel and caramel.
Whether you prefer the classic colours or are intrigued by the limited edition and seasonal flavours, there is an M&M’s colour to suit every taste. M&M’s have become a staple for baking, decorating, and candy dishes, and their popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
FAQs
How many colors of M&M’s are currently available?
As of 2021, there are over 20 different colors of M&M’s available, including purple, pink, teal, and maroon.
What are some limited edition or seasonal M&M’s colors?
M&M’s come in many limited edition or seasonal colors, such as red and green for the holidays, pastel colors for Easter, and black and white for Halloween. Gold M&M’s have also been released for special events like the Academy Awards.
What are some rare and discontinued M&M’s colors?
Some rare and discontinued M&M’s colors include violet, which was discontinued in 1949, and tan, which was discontinued in 1995. Other discontinued colors include lime green, aqua, and hot pink.