The Journey of Skittles: From Factory to Candy Aisle
Skittles have earned their place as the world’s most popular non-chocolate candy, with a staggering consumption of 70 billion pieces each year. Yet, have you ever stopped to ponder the intricate journey these delightful fruity confections embark upon before they reach the candy aisle?
Despite their widespread popularity, the origins of Skittles remain somewhat elusive, lacking a single inventor attributable to its creation. The beginnings trace back to 1970s England, where this colorful candy was initially crafted. In 1974, the brand was acquired by Mars Inc. as a fruity alternative to M&M’s. The British quickly fell in love with Skittles, prompting Mars to test the American market in 1979. The results were overwhelmingly positive, leading Mars to establish its first American Skittles factory in Waco, Texas, in 1982.
Upon crossing the Atlantic, a notable change occurred—specifically, in the purple Skittle. In the UK, it was flavored with blackcurrant, a fruit deeply loved in England, whereas the American version was changed to grape to better cater to local tastes. Interestingly, a rumor circulated suggesting that all Skittles shared the same flavor, differing only by the fragrance of their colorful shells. Let’s delve into the actual manufacturing process to separate fact from fiction.
The Manufacturing Process
The journey of a Skittle begins with a careful blend of ingredients. The chewy core is made from sugar, corn syrup, and hydrogenated palm kernel oil. Hydrogenation transforms the liquid oil into a solid form at room temperature—a necessary step in achieving the desired consistency.
Contrary to the viral claims, each flavor of Skittle is crafted in separate mixers, where specific combinations of fruit juices, citric acid, and flavorings are added. This results in uniquely flavored cores, which are then heated and molded into small, toffee-like pellets known as lentils, owing to their lentil shape.
Once this foundational process is complete, the lentils are moved via a conveyor belt to the coating area, where they commence a six-hour process known as panning. Panning involves adding layers of flavored and colored syrup to each lentil in a large, spherical metal pan, which rotates and tumbles the candies to ensure an even coating.
A total of 43 layers of hard candy are meticulously added, and the drying process is delicate—any overheating could result in misshapen candies or clumping together. Special air blasts are sometimes employed to keep the candies from sticking. After the final layer is applied and dried, a wax coating is added to give the Skittles their signature shine.
The Blending and Stamping Process
Once polished, the iconic flavors of Skittles—strawberry, orange, lime, lemon, and grape (or blackcurrant)—are mixed together on a blending belt fed by multiple hoppers, ensuring a balanced distribution of colors in each batch. While conspiracy theorists may lament a supposed abundance of lemon flavors in bags, Mars Wrigley maintains that all colors are blended as evenly as possible.
The next phase involves barcode technology; 371,000 indentations align the Skittles on a stamping belt where they are stamped with a recognizable “S” using edible ink. This intricate process requires precise control to ensure the integrity of the candy shell while achieving clear branding.
Packaging and Distribution
Finally, once stamped, the Skittles are ready for packaging. A series of machines efficiently form pouches from rolls of packaging material, heat-seal them, and weigh each portion before filling them. The top of each pouch is secured with a heat seal, completing the packaging process.
The finished bags are then moved via conveyor belts, boxed, and shipped, culminating in an astounding production of 200 million Skittles every single day. This remarkable output allows millions of enthusiasts to enjoy the vibrant flavors and colors of Skittles worldwide.
Skittles in Popular Culture
The saying “Taste the Rainbow,” a hallmark of the Skittles brand, has become one of the longest-running advertising slogans since its inception in 1994. This phrase has helped cement Skittles not only in consumer consciousness but also in the wider cultural sphere.
As we uncover the secrets behind the creation of Skittles, it’s clear that this fruity candy is the result of meticulous processes and innovative techniques that continue to evolve while delighting taste buds around the world. For those intrigued by how everyday candies come to life, exploring the manufacturing journey of Skittles brings a newfound appreciation to the candy aisle experience.
Part 1/8:
The Journey of Skittles: From Factory to Candy Aisle
Skittles have earned their place as the world’s most popular non-chocolate candy, with a staggering consumption of 70 billion pieces each year. Yet, have you ever stopped to ponder the intricate journey these delightful fruity confections embark upon before they reach the candy aisle?
The Origins of Skittles
Part 2/8:
Despite their widespread popularity, the origins of Skittles remain somewhat elusive, lacking a single inventor attributable to its creation. The beginnings trace back to 1970s England, where this colorful candy was initially crafted. In 1974, the brand was acquired by Mars Inc. as a fruity alternative to M&M’s. The British quickly fell in love with Skittles, prompting Mars to test the American market in 1979. The results were overwhelmingly positive, leading Mars to establish its first American Skittles factory in Waco, Texas, in 1982.
Part 3/8:
Upon crossing the Atlantic, a notable change occurred—specifically, in the purple Skittle. In the UK, it was flavored with blackcurrant, a fruit deeply loved in England, whereas the American version was changed to grape to better cater to local tastes. Interestingly, a rumor circulated suggesting that all Skittles shared the same flavor, differing only by the fragrance of their colorful shells. Let’s delve into the actual manufacturing process to separate fact from fiction.
The Manufacturing Process
The journey of a Skittle begins with a careful blend of ingredients. The chewy core is made from sugar, corn syrup, and hydrogenated palm kernel oil. Hydrogenation transforms the liquid oil into a solid form at room temperature—a necessary step in achieving the desired consistency.
Part 4/8:
Contrary to the viral claims, each flavor of Skittle is crafted in separate mixers, where specific combinations of fruit juices, citric acid, and flavorings are added. This results in uniquely flavored cores, which are then heated and molded into small, toffee-like pellets known as lentils, owing to their lentil shape.
Once this foundational process is complete, the lentils are moved via a conveyor belt to the coating area, where they commence a six-hour process known as panning. Panning involves adding layers of flavored and colored syrup to each lentil in a large, spherical metal pan, which rotates and tumbles the candies to ensure an even coating.
Part 5/8:
A total of 43 layers of hard candy are meticulously added, and the drying process is delicate—any overheating could result in misshapen candies or clumping together. Special air blasts are sometimes employed to keep the candies from sticking. After the final layer is applied and dried, a wax coating is added to give the Skittles their signature shine.
The Blending and Stamping Process
Once polished, the iconic flavors of Skittles—strawberry, orange, lime, lemon, and grape (or blackcurrant)—are mixed together on a blending belt fed by multiple hoppers, ensuring a balanced distribution of colors in each batch. While conspiracy theorists may lament a supposed abundance of lemon flavors in bags, Mars Wrigley maintains that all colors are blended as evenly as possible.
Part 6/8:
The next phase involves barcode technology; 371,000 indentations align the Skittles on a stamping belt where they are stamped with a recognizable “S” using edible ink. This intricate process requires precise control to ensure the integrity of the candy shell while achieving clear branding.
Packaging and Distribution
Finally, once stamped, the Skittles are ready for packaging. A series of machines efficiently form pouches from rolls of packaging material, heat-seal them, and weigh each portion before filling them. The top of each pouch is secured with a heat seal, completing the packaging process.
Part 7/8:
The finished bags are then moved via conveyor belts, boxed, and shipped, culminating in an astounding production of 200 million Skittles every single day. This remarkable output allows millions of enthusiasts to enjoy the vibrant flavors and colors of Skittles worldwide.
Skittles in Popular Culture
The saying “Taste the Rainbow,” a hallmark of the Skittles brand, has become one of the longest-running advertising slogans since its inception in 1994. This phrase has helped cement Skittles not only in consumer consciousness but also in the wider cultural sphere.
Part 8/8:
As we uncover the secrets behind the creation of Skittles, it’s clear that this fruity candy is the result of meticulous processes and innovative techniques that continue to evolve while delighting taste buds around the world. For those intrigued by how everyday candies come to life, exploring the manufacturing journey of Skittles brings a newfound appreciation to the candy aisle experience.