M&Ms are one of the most popular and iconic candy brands around. The colorful button-shaped chocolates are enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. But many candy lovers have wondered – are the different color M&Ms actually different flavors? Or are they all just chocolate?
The History of M&Ms
M&Ms were first created in 1941 by Forrest Mars Sr., son of Mars Company founder Frank Mars. Forrest got the idea for the candy after observing soldiers eating small chocolate beads covered in a hard shell during the Spanish Civil War. This coating prevented the chocolate from melting in the heat.
Forrest partnered with Bruce Murrie, son of Hershey president William Murrie, to bring M&Ms to market. The name “M&M” comes from a combination of the initials of their last names, Mars and Murrie.
The first M&Ms only came in five colors – brown, red, orange, yellow and green. However, they were all chocolate flavored. The different colors were simply meant to identify the individual candies and make them more visually appealing.
When Did Flavor Varieties Emerge?
It wasn’t until the late 1940s that peanut M&Ms were introduced. This marked the first flavor variation for the candy.
Over the ensuing decades, more flavors joined the lineup:
- 1954 – Peanut butter M&Ms
- 1960 – Red switched from red chocolate to cherry flavor
- 1976 – Orange switched from orange chocolate to orange flavor
- 1982 – Peanut butter M&Ms discontinued
- 1986 – Almond M&Ms introduced
- 1992 – Peanut M&Ms reintroduced permanently
- 1995 – Blue M&Ms added
- 1999 – Crispy M&Ms introduced
So while original M&Ms were all chocolate flavored, over time new flavors were tied to specific colors. This set consumer expectations that color equals flavor.
The Modern M&M Color-Flavor Lineup
Today, these are the available M&M color varieties and their flavors:
| Color | Flavor |
|---|---|
| Brown | Milk Chocolate |
| Red | Cherry |
| Orange | Orange |
| Yellow | Milk Chocolate |
| Green | Milk Chocolate |
| Blue | Milk Chocolate |
There are also special varieties that come in other colors like pink, purple, teal, etc. Some have unique flavors like peanut butter, coconut, mint, pretzel, birthday cake, honey nut, and more.
Do People Actually Perceive Flavor Differences?
With certain colors tied to specific flavors, many people assume they taste different. But is this just psychological?
There have been several studies examining whether people can distinguish between the flavors of identically colored M&Ms:
- A 1994 study published in the American Journal of Psychology found that people could not tell the difference between red, brown and orange M&Ms if the colors were disguised.
- A 2012 study by the American Chemical Society gave participants candy in original or switched colors. Most people could not identify swapped flavors.
- A 2014 study by the American Psychological Association found that tasting is strongly influenced by vision. People rated identical flavors as tasting better when the color matched expectations.
These studies show that much of the perceived flavor differences between M&M colors is psychological. The visual cue of the color leads people to experience an expected taste.
So Are They Really Flavored by Color?
While certain specialty M&M varieties do have unique flavors, the core colors – brown, yellow, green, orange, red and blue – largely taste the same. Variations are subtle at best.
However, the brand has continued to tie certain flavors to colors in marketing and advertising. This primes people to expect a flavor when they see a particular color M&M.
The influence of color on taste perception is so strong that people will report flavor differences even when there are none. But the distinctions are not grounded in reality.
So in summary:
- Original M&Ms were all chocolate flavored
- Later, some colors became associated with specific flavors
- Studies show people cannot reliably distinguish between colors in blind taste tests
- Color influences expected and perceived taste
- Core colors today have minor to no flavor differences
While M&Ms of the same color may taste slightly different due to natural variations, the distinctions are subtle. The vivid colors are meant to appeal to our eyes, not our tastebuds.
The Power of Color
M&Ms provide an excellent example of how color can shape our expectations and experiences. The distinctive look of the candy engages the visual sense to influence taste perceptions.
Color is a powerful tool for brands to connect with customers and influence purchasing decisions. That’s why M&Ms continue to leverage specific hues to signal flavors, even when tastes are practically identical.
So next time you enjoy a bag of M&Ms, pay attention to how the colors influence your flavor expectations and enjoyment. You may be surprised that your eyes have as much impact as your tastebuds!
Conclusion
M&Ms have become an iconic candy brand by leveraging the psychology of color. While original M&Ms were all chocolate, over time certain hues became linked with specific flavors. However, research shows that people cannot reliably distinguish between the tastes of identically colored M&Ms. The differences are mostly psychological.
Color shapes our flavor expectations and experiences. But the core M&M colors actually have minor to no taste variations. Nevertheless, the distinctive look remains a powerful marketing tool. Those bright candy-coated chocolates prove that sometimes, we do “taste” with our eyes.