What Are Some Fun Facts About Skittles?
A chewy, fruit-flavored treat, Skittles candy is marketed by Wrigley, a subsidiary of Mars Inc. According to an article in The New York Times, as of 2012, Skittles were the most popular candy among younger children and teenagers in the United States. First sold in Britain in 1974, the candy was introduced to the U.S. market in 1979, with its original flavor combination of strawberry, lemon, lime, grape and orange.
In 1989, several new varieties of Skittles were introduced, including Wild Berry Skittles, which features wild cherry, strawberry and raspberry flavors, and Tropical Skittles, which features flavors such as banana, kiwi and mango. In 2000, Sour Skittles made its debut, while 2004 marked the launch of Skittles Bubble Gum. X-treme Fruit Skittles, launched in 2006, was the first limited-edition variety of Skittles candy. Blenders, a chewy candy with a blend of Skittles flavors, rolled out in 2011.
The Skittles brand has an extensive social-media presence online. In 2010, Skittles surpassed 10 million fans on Facebook. After Starburst, Skittles are the second-most popular chewy candy in the United States, according to The New York Times. The New York ad agency D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles created the Skittles “Taste the Rainbow” theme.
