The Origins of Smarties
Originally released in 1882 under the name "Chocolate Beans," it wasn't until 1937 that the name was adapted to "Smarties Chocolate Beans" and later simplified to just "Smarties." These colorful button-shaped chocolate sweets were created by H.I. Rowntree & Company in York, Yorkshire, and have been delighting children and adults alike for generations.
The sweet consists of a chocolate filling in a colored sugar shell. Unlike many other chocolate products, Smarties have always been unique in their presentation - a tube of varied colored candies, each with the same chocolate taste but with a different colored shell.
The Iconic Packaging
Perhaps just as famous as the sweets themselves is the iconic cylindrical tube packaging. Introduced in the 1950s, Smarties tubes featured a plastic lid with a letter of the alphabet embossed on it. Children would often collect these lids to spell out names or messages, adding an educational element to the sweet treat.
In 2005, the tube design was altered to a hexagonal shape, partly due to environmental concerns about the plastic lid. The redesign allowed for a cardboard flip-top instead of plastic, reducing environmental impact while maintaining the product's distinctive profile.
Color and Culture
Smarties have always come in a variety of colors, which have changed over time. The current standard colors include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, mauve (purple), pink, and brown. Each color has developed its own lore among fans, with debates about favorite colors being a common childhood discussion in the UK.
Interestingly, for a long time, red Smarties were colored using a natural dye called cochineal, derived from crushed insects. This was changed in 2006 when Nestlé moved to using natural food colorings for all Smarties.
The Blue Smartie Saga
Perhaps the most famous color-related story is that of the blue Smartie. Introduced in 1989, replacing the light brown Smartie, blue became a fast favorite. However, in 2006, it was temporarily removed when Nestlé decided to eliminate all artificial colorings from Smarties. Finding a natural blue coloring proved challenging, but by 2008, blue Smarties made their return using a natural blue coloring extracted from seaweed.
Global Presence
While Smarties are popular throughout much of the world, particularly in Commonwealth countries, they're not found in the United States. This is because the name "Smarties" in America refers to an entirely different sweet - a tablet-shaped candy similar to what Britons would call "Refreshers." In the US and Canada, British-style Smarties are marketed under the name "Rockets."
Innovation and Evolution
Over the years, the Smarties brand has expanded to include various products. Giant Smarties, Smarties buttons, Smarties ice cream, and even Smarties cereal have all appeared on shelves at various points. In 2005, Nestlé even released a Smarties chocolate bar, embedding the colorful sweets within a chocolate base.
More recently, Nestlé has focused on making Smarties more environmentally friendly. In 2018, they launched a range of Smarties products using recyclable paper packaging, part of their commitment to make all their packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.
