How M&Ms are Made In Factory? Largest M&Ms Factory Tour | Captain Discovery

Summary

Join Captain Discovery on an exploration of the world's largest M&M factory, uncovering the history and production process of the beloved candy. From its inception during WWII to becoming a global brand, M&M's have a rich heritage. Learn how sustainable cacao farming, meticulous crafting, and innovative technology come together to produce up to 100 million M&M's daily, ensuring quality and environmental responsibility.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The M&M's brand was created during World War II by Forest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murray, aiming to produce a chocolate that could withstand harsh conditions.
• 🌏 M&M's are produced in over 100 countries and are part of many Americans' childhood memories, with up to 400 million produced daily.
• 🍫 The main ingredients of M&M's include chocolate, sugar, corn syrup, and food coloring, with cocoa being the primary ingredient for the chocolate.
• 🌱 M&M's source their cocoa from sustainable farms in tropical forests of Côte D'Ivoire and Indonesia, adhering to strict environmental standards.
• 🌿 Mars has invested in developing cocoa varieties that are resistant to pests and climate change, while also providing high yields.
• 🌾 Cocoa trees require specific care, including being planted under shade and maintaining soil quality for moisture and nutrients.
• 🌞 Harvesting cocoa involves ripe pods being cut open to extract seeds, which are then dried under the sun by experienced farmers.
• 🔥 The chocolate production process involves roasting, grinding, and melting cacao beans at controlled temperatures to ensure smoothness and flavor.
• 🍬 M&M's are coated with a hard sugar shell in a process that takes 2 to 3 hours, creating a protective layer that prevents melting and maintains shape.
• 🎨 Each M&M's candy undergoes a meticulous coloring process, with food coloring sprayed to achieve its bright and distinctive colors.
• ♻️ The M&M's factory is committed to environmental protection, using sustainable ingredients, reducing emissions, saving energy, and implementing recycling and waste reduction programs.

Q & A

Who is the founder of M&M's and what was the inspiration behind its creation?

M&M's were founded by Forrest Mars Sr., the son of the founder of Mars Inc. The inspiration came from chocolate pellets with a hard sugar shell used by the British military, which prevented the chocolate from melting under high temperatures.

What does the 'M' in M&M's stand for and who was involved in the naming process?

The 'M' in M&M's stands for Mars and Murray, named after Mars Inc. and Bruce Murray, the son of Hershey's chocolate president, who both agreed on the name and the idea to make the candy popular worldwide.

How did M&M's gain popularity among the US military?

M&M's gained popularity among the US military because the hard sugar shell prevented the chocolate from melting in soldiers' pockets during battles, making them a practical and enjoyable snack.

What is the famous slogan associated with M&M's and when was it introduced?

The famous slogan associated with M&M's is 'melts in your mouth, not in your hand,' which was introduced by 1954.

What is the significance of the M&M's man and the process of making M&M's?

The M&M's man represents the process of dunking milk chocolate in a candy coating, which prevents the chocolate from making a mess and ensures that it melts in your mouth, not in your hand.

Where is the largest M&M factory located and what percentage of US M&M's are produced there?

The largest M&M factory is located in Hackettstown, New Jersey, and it produces 50% of all M&M's sold in the US.

What are the main ingredients of M&M's and where do they source their cocoa from?

The main ingredients of M&M's include chocolate, sugar, corn syrup, and food coloring. They source their cocoa from sustainable cacao farms in the tropical forests of Côte d'Ivoire and Indonesia.

How does Mars Inc. ensure the sustainability and quality of their cocoa production?

Mars Inc. ensures sustainability and quality by investing in research and development of cocoa varieties resistant to pests and climate change, supporting farmers with modern farming techniques, and adhering to strict environmental standards.

What is the process of creating the sugar shell for M&M's and how long does it take?

The sugar shell is created by placing chocolate pieces in large rotating drums where a hard sugar shell is formed. The shell is sprayed in multiple layers, with each layer drying before the next is applied, taking about 2 to 3 hours to achieve the desired thickness.

How does the M&M's factory ensure the quality and safety of their candies?

The M&M's factory ensures quality and safety through thorough inspections, compliance with FDA Food Safety standards, and a meticulous coloring and polishing process that adds a protective layer to the candies.

What environmental initiatives does the M&M's factory undertake to reduce its impact on the planet?

The M&M's factory undertakes environmental initiatives such as using sustainable ingredients like eco-friendly cacao, applying advanced technology to reduce emissions and save energy, implementing solar energy systems, water conservation measures, strict recycling and waste reduction programs, and organizing educational programs to raise environmental awareness.