M&M’s are one of the most popular and iconic candy brands. The colorful button-shaped chocolates are a staple in candy bowls and a favorite movie snack. But have you ever wondered exactly how many M&M’s of each color are in a standard bag? Getting the perfect distribution of colors in each package is important for both appearance and taste. In this article, we’ll take a close look at M&M color distribution and crunch the numbers on how many candies of each hue you can expect in every bag.
A Brief History of M&M’s
Before we dig into the data, let’s take a quick look back at the history of M&M’s. The famous candy coated chocolates were first created in 1941. The name M&M’s is derived from the last names of the candy’s founders, Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie. The pair had the idea to create chocolate candies with a hard shell to prevent them from melting in soldiers’ rations during World War II. This durable and portable snack was a big hit with troops.
The earliest M&M’s only came in brown, red, orange, yellow, green, and violet. However over the decades, other colors were added and occasionally retired. In 1976, red M&M’s were eliminated due to health concerns over the dye amaranth they contained. The red candies made a return in 1987, this time colored with less controversial red dye #40. Blue M&M’s were added to the lineup in 1995, and the most recent addition was brown in 2003.
Today, a standard bag contains six colors: blue, brown, green, orange, red, and yellow. But the exact number of candies of each shade is carefully calculated by Mars Wrigley Confectionery, the company that produces M&M’s. Keeping the proportions consistent is important for both aesthetics and flavor balance.
The Standard Mix of M&M Colors
So what is the precise distribution of colors in a typical bag of original M&M’s? According to Mars Wrigley Confectionery, here is the standard breakdown:
| Color | Number in a bag | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | 16 | 13% |
| Brown | 16 | 13% |
| Green | 16 | 13% |
| Orange | 13 | 11% |
| Red | 13 | 11% |
| Yellow | 13 | 11% |
As you can see, blue, brown, and green make up the largest portion at 13% each. Meanwhile orange, red, and yellow are slightly less common at 11% each. But why this specific breakdown? There are a few key factors.
Achieving Color Balance
The first priority is making sure there is a good balance of color in each bag for visual appeal. Too much of one shade would look strange to consumers who expect a variety. At the same time, the proportions have to work out so that production can hit these exact numbers. So 13% blue, brown, and green candies provide a reliable baseline.
The secondary colors of orange, red, and yellow are reduced slightly to 11% each. This prevents them from dominating the other tones. It also allows production to hit the right quantities more easily. The result is an evenly distributed spectrum of color that catches the eye.
Flavor Considerations
But it’s not just about looks. The specific color proportions also achieve an ideal flavor balance. Even though every M&M has the same chocolate center, the color shells impart subtle flavor differences.
The three 13% colors provide the primary taste: milk chocolate. On the other hand, the orange, red, and yellow each have hints of fruitiness that complement the chocolate. If they were too numerous, they might clash with the intended milk chocolate flavor.
Additionally, some colors like red and brown have stronger flavors. Too many would overpower the others. The carefully calculated percentages keep the overall taste pleasantly balanced. Each candy contributes just the right amount of flavor.
Special Color Mixes
The standard color mix proportions can change for specialty M&M’s packages. Seasonal varieties like fall colors or Christmas mixes will have their own unique recipes. The same goes for color mixes sold in specific regions. For example, mixes sold overseas contain more blues and greens than in the United States.
Color proportions can also vary between plain and peanut M&M’s. Since the peanuts add flavor and texture, the shell colors don’t need to do as much work. So the color balance will differ from a regular milk chocolate bag.
Limited edition bags also play around with the standard color ratios. In the past, there have been all-green bags for St. Patrick’s Day and all-red around Valentine’s Day. Bags celebrating a certain color will skew heavily towards that hue.
Quality Control Methods
Maintaining the ideal color proportions during manufacturing requires careful quality control. Sophisticated cameras and sensors detect and sort the candies by color. Any variance outside of a small margin triggers the machines to adjust.
Additionally, employees manually check bags to confirm color distribution. They will remove and replace candies if a bag looks like it has too much or too little of certain shades. This hands-on inspection ensures consumers receive attractive, balanced handfuls.
Fun Facts about M&M’s Colors
Now that we know the nitty gritty details, here are some fun facts about M&M’s colors over the years:
- Brown was the original color for plain M&M’s when they first launched in 1941.
- Red, green, orange, and yellow were introduced in 1949.
- Violet was retired in 1949.
- 1976 saw the temporary disappearance of red.
- Blue joined the color lineup in 1995.
- 72% of people say blue is their favorite color of M&M’s.
- Acylinder press can print 12,500 M&M’s per minute.
- Over 400 million M&M’s are made every day in the United States.
Consumer Preference for Color
Consumers definitely have strong opinions about their favorite M&M’s color. According to Mars Wrigley surveys, here is how the colors stack up in popularity:
- Blue
- Red
- Green
- Orange
- Yellow
- Brown
Blue tops the list as the number one color by a wide margin. 72% of survey respondents pick royal blue as their go-to. Red and green battle it out for second and third place, while orange, yellow, and brown fans are in the minority.
These consumer preferences are taken into account when designing new products. For example, the all-blue bags created for blue M&M’s 20th anniversary were a huge hit. Seasonal bags also tend to feature blue heavily since fans can’t seem to get enough of this colorful candy shell.
Influence on Marketing
The unique colors and personalities of M&M’s have been a marketing boon for the brand. Starting in the 1990s, each color was anthropomorphized with human characteristics in advertising campaigns. The “spokescandies” became popular mascots.
The most famous are probably the sassy green M&M and the seductive brown M&M. Fans have clear opinions about which color spokescandy is their favorite. This clever marketing tactic cemented M&M’s as more than just candy – they became pop culture icons.
Colors Reflecting Trends
M&M’s aren’t afraid to add new colors to reflect consumer preferences and trends. When the blue and brown shades were introduced in 1995 and 2003 respectively, they instantly became consumer favorites.
There’s potential for more new shades in the future. Perhaps a tie-dye or ombre effect to match color trends in fashion and design? A shimmery pearlescent or metallic sheen would also be eye-catching. And if purple makes a mainstream comeback, a revamped violet could join the color lineup.
It will be interesting to see if M&M’s expands their palette. But new colors would need to strike the right balance of visual appeal, flavor, and production practicality.
Conclusion
The exact proportions of M&M’s colors in each bag is no accident – it’s the result of careful calculation for aesthetics, taste, and manufacturing efficiency. While the standard mix has 13% each of blue, brown, and green with 11% orange, red, and yellow, formulas change for seasonal and specialty packages. No matter what the exact breakdown, achieving the perfect distribution is key to M&M’s iconic look and taste.
