We can all agree that Skittles have been a major culinary and cultural phenomenon for the past fifty years, regardless of whether you only eat them on special occasions or they are your all-time favorite candy. Here are some strange and amazing facts about Skittles since, despite this, you definitely don’t know a lot about the colorful candy.

#1: The true creator of Skittles is unknown.

The fact that no one knows who invented them may sound utterly unbelievable, but it is also entirely accurate. I’ve heard that a man named Mr. Skittles invented the Skittle, but that narrative seems to be totally unsubstantiated, and one would assume that the descendants of Skittles would then step up to demand royalties.

#2: In the United States, Skittles are the second most popular candy.

An estimated 200 million bags of Skittles are sold annually in America, making it the second most popular candy. The number of individual Skittles bits is too much to even consider. And before you ask, the eerily similar-looking M&M is the most popular candy.

#3: The United States did not produce Skittles at first.

It took five years for Skittles to reach the United States in 1979 after they were first produced and distributed exclusively in the United Kingdom. But when the candy finally made it across the pond, it was so well-liked that Wrigley’s chose to relocate the entire production there.

#4: “Taste the Rainbow” wasn’t the original tagline.

Skittles’ well-known tagline may come to mind right away, but the marketing team needed a moment to come up with it. Prior to it, the much less memorable tagline “The Rainbow of Fruit Flavors” was used to sell Skittles. The idea was probably always there, but just required some little adjustments.

#5: Gelatin was once used to make them.

Gelatin was actually only recently eliminated from the mix by Skittles. Skittles altered the recipe in 2009, most likely to expand their market reach and make the product more accessible to vegan consumers. Because they were formerly regarded as Haram, this also permitted religious Muslims to eat them.

#6: The base flavor of every Skittles is the same.

Whether or not the various colors Skittles have different flavors is a famous argument that we used to have in the schoolyard. It turns out that both are right. The base flavor is the same for all the hues; only a small amount is added or subtracted to make adjustments.

#7: Unlike M&Ms, the “S” on Skittles melts off in water.

I’m not sure how many of you are like me in that you take out your Skittles to look at them and then put them back in after sucking on them for a minute. If so, you’ll be aware of the different stages of degeneration that the Skittle experiences, the first of which is the letter S’s gradual fading.

#8: More than fifty distinct flavors have been identified.

Sadly, producers have been equally eager to remove new flavors from the market as they have been to launch them, but at least we get to sample them. However, if you enjoy fruit-flavored candies, there has been something for you at some point over the years, from Sour Skittles to the more current Smoothie type.

#9: During Pride Month, Skittles had a contentious white bag.

Having a white purse during Pride Month may seem a little odd, but you have to do something else to get attention when you’re vibrant all year long. Instead of being separated into distinct hues, the idea was for each Skittle to be white, signifying all the colors together.

#10: Science experiments have made use of them.

In fact, Skittles may be used to create a variety of scientific experiments. Their characteristic hue makes them a subject that effectively illustrates the feelings that are generated. It’s a fantastic method for teaching children the fundamentals of science.

#11: Green Apple took the place of Lime Skittles.

Someone with no sense of taste must have been sitting there saying, “Yeah, we should do green apple instead of lime, that’ll be way better.” They are both green, to be honest, but one is sour and thrilling, and the other isn’t even pleasant when it’s actually fruity.

#12: A Skittles bubble gum previously existed.

A bubble gum variation of Skittles was created because some people didn’t want their supply to run out. The flavor went away really fast, leaving you with a gum that tasted bland and wasn’t very effective at blowing bubbles. That was the main drawback.

#13: One of the most well-liked Halloween candies is Skittles.

Not to be too pessimistic, but I believe that because Skittles are just more affordable, they may be one of the more well-liked Hallowe’en candies. I believe you can save a lot of money on Trick or Treat if you purchase the packet but distribute them individually.

#14: One of the most enduring slogans is “taste the rainbow.”

“Taste the Rainbow” is maybe the most successful campaign you’ll ever come across, which may be part of the reason it has endured for so long. More than just a memorable tagline, “Taste the Rainbow” was ingrained in popular culture by Skittles through innovative advertisements that we will never forget.

#15: NASA has approved Skittles as a space food.

A favorite among astronauts, Space Age Skittles has gone through several variations, including the Zero Gravity version, which only contained blue and purple candies that were supposed to float in space. Jeff Bezos, however, gave Skittles a high-profile boost in 2021 when he ate them aboard his new spacecraft.

#16: Ingredients of Skittles

This is pretty much what all of your favorite sweets are made of, with a little bit more of this and a little bit less of that. I’m not sure what else you were hoping to find in there. Of course, there are also all the color and flavoring additions with numbers at the end of their names.

#17: A classic lawn game from Europe is the source of the name “Skittles.”

Consider Skittles as a sort of aristocratic ten-pin bowling, but with smaller balls and wooden pins. You can see yourself playing this type of game if you were invited to a wealthy English gentleman’s country estate for a holiday lunch.

#18: The purple Skittle in the UK has a blackcurrant flavor, which is uncommon in sweets made in the US.

I might as well tell you about the confession I have to make. I don’t really know what a blackcurrant is. Cereal box backs are probably the only place I’ve ever seen a picture of one. To determine whether the flavor is accurate, I would need to know what one tastes like. Thus, I’m content to let the British handle it.

#19: Following the 2012 murder of Trayvon Martin, Skittles became a symbol during demonstrations.

They became a symbol in the protests when George Zimmerman was found not guilty. Trayvon Martin, a black kid, was shot dead by Zimmerman in Florida while carrying a packet of Skittles. Skittles were used on flags, banners, and apparel to protest the unfair killing, even though the Wrigley Company stayed out of the matter.

#20: Donald Trump Jr.’s symbolic use of Skittles in a 2016 political tweet sparked debates.

Donald Trump Jr. appears to follow in his father’s footsteps by sending out divisive tweets, so why did he feel the need to put our beloved Skittles in danger? He implied that each of them may contain a dangerous few that make them all unsafe by comparing Syrian refugees to a handful of Skittles.