Skittles

Guide Note

A chewy fruit candy, Skittles were introduced in the United States in the mid-1970s. Though they started as just a standard assortment of fruit flavors, Skittles have expanded to over a dozen different varieties in separate packaging.

Aside from the original flavors, the most popular are Tropical Skittles and Wild Berry Skittles.

Fast Facts

1. Manufactured by Mars Inc.
2. American Skittles are not Kosher or Vegetarian
3. Original Colors: Yellow, Purple, Green, Orange, Red
4. Original Flavors: Lemon, Grape, Lime, Orange, Strawberry

Since the early 21st century, Skittles has aired a series of surreal commercials, with the slogan "Taste The Rainbow" prominently featured. Among these advertisements are a man at a job interview eating Skittles with his long beard, a man who trades Skittles for a singing rabbit and an unfortunate bookstore employee who can't touch anything without it turning into the candy.

The flavor of skittles comes primarily from high fructose corn syrup. Artificial flavors and colors are added, as well as gelatin to give the candy its chewy consistency. The gelatin prevents the product from being considered kosher by Jewish standards or halal by Islamic standards.