50 Things You Didn’t Know About Skittles

1. Origins: Skittles were first produced in Britain in 1974.

2. U.S. Debut: They were introduced to the United States in 1979.

3. Slogan: The iconic slogan “Taste the Rainbow” was introduced in 1994.

4. Name Origin: The name “Skittles” comes from a game involving pins and balls, similar to bowling.

5. Original Flavors: The original Skittles flavors were lemon, lime, grape, orange, and strawberry.

6. Global Popularity: Skittles are sold in over 65 countries worldwide.

7. Production: The majority of Skittles are produced at the Wrigley factory in Yorkville, Illinois.

8. Vegan: Skittles are considered vegan, containing no animal-derived ingredients.

9. Mars, Inc.: Skittles are produced by Mars, Inc., the same company that makes M&M’s.

10. Limited Editions: There have been many limited-edition flavors, including Tropical, Wild Berry, and Sour.

11. Color Distribution: Each pack of Skittles contains an uneven distribution of colors.

12. Scent: The scent of Skittles is produced by the flavorings in the candy shell.

13. Skittles Waterfall: The first “Skittles Waterfall” commercial aired in 2008.

14. Flavor Changes: In 2013, Skittles replaced the lime flavor with green apple in the U.S.

15. Advertising: Skittles’ advertising campaigns are known for their quirky and surreal style.

16. Skittles Vodka: Skittles have been used to make flavored vodka by dissolving the candies in the alcohol.

17. Original Packaging: The original Skittles packaging was a simple red bag with the word “Skittles.”

18. Nutritional Info: A single serving of Skittles (about 27 pieces) contains 231 calories.

19. Rainbow of Flavors: In 2020, Skittles released a special edition with white candies to promote Pride.

20. World Record: The world record for the most Skittles eaten in one minute is 50.

21. Sour Skittles: Sour Skittles were introduced in 2000.

22. Europe Ban: Some Skittles contain food colorings that are banned in Europe.

23. Candy Crush: Skittles were one of the first candies to be used in the Candy Crush Saga game.

24. Zombie Skittles: A Halloween edition called Zombie Skittles includes a “rotten” flavor.

25. Darkside Skittles: The Darkside flavor was introduced in 2013, featuring flavors like Forbidden Fruit.

26. No Chocolate: Unlike many other candies from Mars, Skittles contain no chocolate.

27. Rainbows for Real: Skittles partnered with Pride organizations to support LGBTQ+ causes.

28. Super Bowl Ads: Skittles has aired several memorable Super Bowl commercials.

29. Marketing Stunts: In 2018, Skittles released a limited-edition “Super Bowl ad” that only one person could watch.

30. Sports Sponsorships: Skittles has sponsored sports teams and events, including the NFL.

31. Colorless Skittles: In 2019, Skittles released colorless packs to raise awareness for Pride.

32. Urban Legends: There’s an urban legend that yellow Skittles are less popular and get left behind.

33. Cultural References: Skittles have appeared in TV shows and movies, including “Breaking Bad.”

34. Skittles Slurpee: 7-Eleven once offered a Skittles-flavored Slurpee.

35. Social Media: Skittles has a strong social media presence, engaging fans with humorous content.

36. Taste Difference: Some people believe Skittles flavors taste the same, but studies show they have distinct flavors.

37. Skittles and Sports: NFL player Marshawn Lynch is known for his love of Skittles.

38. Marketing Awards: Skittles’ advertising campaigns have won multiple marketing awards.

39. Bulk Sales: You can buy Skittles in bulk for special events and parties.

40. Recycling: The wrappers of Skittles are not currently recyclable.

41. World’s Largest: The world’s largest Skittles sculpture was created in 2017 and weighed over 350 pounds.

42. University Studies: Skittles have been used in university studies to demonstrate statistics and probability.

43. Skittles Bowling: There’s a game called Skittles bowling, unrelated to the candy, that originated in Britain.

44. Skittles Art: Some artists use Skittles to create colorful mosaics and sculptures.

45. Packaging Changes: Skittles packaging has evolved over the years to be more environmentally friendly.

46. International Variations: Flavors and colors of Skittles can vary by country.

47. Cosmic Skittles: Skittles released a “Cosmic” flavor with space-themed packaging.

48. World War II: During WWII, Skittles production was halted due to sugar rationing.

49. Pencil Case: In the 1980s, Skittles packaging included a plastic pencil case for back-to-school promotions.

50. Skittles Lip Smacker: Skittles collaborated with Lip Smacker to create Skittles-flavored lip balm.

Skittles are more than just a candy; they have a rich history and cultural significance that spans the globe. From their quirky advertising to their various flavor experiments, Skittles continue to capture the imagination and taste buds of people everywhere.