This article will dive into the similarities and differences between M&M’s vs Skittles. We’ll take a look at appearance, taste, nutrition, and more.
Keep in mind that we are comparing the original M&M’s and Skittles candies and not other varieties such as Peanut M&M’s or Sour Skittles.
Please vote for your favorite between M&M’s and Skittles at the end of this article!
M&M’s vs Skittles
Appearance
M&M’s are spherical or a small button shape. They have a white “m” printed on their candy shell. A shell has the color of either red, blue, brown, yellow, or orange. The interior of each M&M is brown.
Skittles have a similar shape to M&M’s to where if you mixed the two candies in a pile you might not be able to tell the difference. The colors of this candy are the ones you would see on a rainbow. These colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue (UK only, limited edition), and purple. Each shell has a white “S” printed on it.
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Taste
Despite their similar shape, M&M’s and Skittles do not taste similar. In fact, they are nothing alike in this category.
M&M’s – Generally, M&M’s taste the same regardless of color. However, there are studies that have been completed that indicate that humans tend to perceive foods have more flavor when they have “more vibrant and saturated colors“. In other words, certain flavors of M&M’s may seem to taste different based on their color. At any rate, M&M’s are milk chocolate flavor.
Skittles are a fruit flavor candy. Each color represents a flavor as follows: purple (grape), yellow (lemon), green (green apple), orange (orange), red (strawberry). Blue (cherry color). Blue is/was a limited edition color in the United Kingdom. Many people have difficulty distinguishing the various flavors and question if all colors of Skittles taste the same. However, in an interview with Fox 7 Austin, a spokesperson for Mars Wrigley stated the following, “Each of the five fruity flavors in Skittles has its own individual taste and flavor.”
Nutrition Facts
Let’s take a look at the nutrition facts for M&M’s vs Skittles. The nutrition facts are for the standard size packs you find in the checkout lane at the supermarket.
In summary, you save 20 calories by eating the M&M’s over the Skittles. M&M’s also have fewer carbs, sugars, and higher protein. The Skittles have less fat and sodium.
Overall, considering we are talking candy here, most people likely won’t opt for one candy over the other simply because of nutrition.
| Nutrition | M&M’s | Skittles |
|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 Pack (47.9g) | 1 Pack (61.5g) |
| Calories | 230 | 250 |
| Total Fat | 9g | 2.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 2.5g |
| Cholesterol | <5mg | 0mg |
| Sodium | 35mg | 20mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35g | 56g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 31g | 45g |
| includes Added Sugars | 29g | 45g |
| Protein | 2g | 0g |
Ownership & History
The M&M’s brand is owned by Mars Incorporated and first hit the market in 1941. Forrest Mars Sr., the owner of Mars, thought of the idea for M&M’s when he saw soldiers during the Spanish Civil War eating small chocolate candies that did not melt.
As you probably guessed, one of the M’s in M&M’s stands for Mars. The other M is for Murrie. Bruce Murrie was the son of William Murrie, the president of Hershey. Mars developed a business relationship with Bruce Murrie due to speculation that there would be a chocolate shortage during the war. Murrie was given a 20% stake in M&M’s, which is why his initial was and still is on the candy packaging.
Skittles candy was first launched in 1974. They were introduced by a British confectionary. There is only speculation on who was the original creator of Skittles as the true inventor is unknown. The candy was only sold in Britain for the first five years. They were imported into North America in 1979 where consumers began to fall in love with this candy. Today, Skittles is manufactured by Wrigley, a division of Mars Incorporated.
Final Thoughts
Overall, while these are similar in many respects, their taste is what ultimately sets them apart from each other. There is no mistaking that you are eating fruity flavor Skittles vs the milk chocolate flavor of M&M’s when you bite into these candies.
Poll – M&M’s vs Skittles
Do you have a favorite between M&M’s and Skittles? Vote for the one you love in the poll!
