Skittles, a brand name of candy products produced by the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, come in a wide variety of flavors. Most of the varieties are available only in particular regions of the world. The first flavor was Original Fruit Skittles, first released in Europe in 1974, and then in the United States in 1979.[1] Earlier Skittles products tended to focus on fruit flavors; more recent products have branched out to include flavors such as chocolate, bubble gum, popcorn, mint, and sours.
The original Skittles flavors in the United States (and other countries except for Europe[2]) are orange, lemon, lime, grape and strawberry.[3] In 2013, Skittles changed its original flavor line-up to include green apple, causing a consumer backlash. Green apple also replaced lime in the sour packets. It was rumored that the reason behind this is the green apple flavor outperforming lime in taste tests.[4][5] A "Long Lost Lime" variation of Skittles was released in summer 2017 and 2018, bringing the lime flavor back to the original mix of Skittles for a limited time only. In September 2021, it was announced that lime would be permanently returning to the original Skittles flavor in October 2021, replacing green apple for the first time since 2013.
| Name | Colors and flavors | Notes | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Skittles (Europe) |
|
Blue-colored cherry cola flavored Skittles were included in a limited edition variant in 2015.[6] | 1974[1] |
| Original Skittles (International) |
|
In the United States and other countries excluding Europe, green Skittles were green apple flavored from 2013 until 2021. Green apple also replaced lime in the United States for a brief time in April 2001, as part of a promotion.[7] In 2021, it was announced that, due to public demand, this change would be permanently reversed, bringing the lime flavor back to the original mix of Skittles for the first time since 2013. |
1979 |
| Original Skittles (Australia) |
|
Australia released Skittles 1987 | 1987 |
| En Fuego (Mexico, US) |
|
The flavor was sold in Mexico and in the United States for a short time in 2003.[8] | 2003 |
| Tropical (Europe and Australia) |
|
2016 | |
| Tropical (International) |
|
Tropical Skittles have two flavors in one Skittle.[1] | 1989[1] |
| Wild Berry (Europe and Australia) |
|
2014 | |
| Wild Berry (International) | The flavor was launched in Australia and New Zealand in 2012 and in the UK in 2014. A variant with fizzy powder existed from 2010 to 2011 (known as Fizzl'd Fruits), but some of the colors were changed. | 1989[1] | |
| Tart-N-Tangy | The flavors were those that represent the sour Skittles that were released after these were discontinued with slight differences to the flavors. Specifics on the flavors are sketchy. | Discontinued in 1992; replaced by Sour Skittles. | 1989 |
| Crazy Cores | (shell color, core)
|
The flavor was sold in bulk stores in the United States (e.g., Sam's Club) for a short time in 2008. Introduced in the United Kingdom in 2011, and replaced by Confused Skittles in 2013. |
2008[9]/2011 (UK) |
| Confused (2008) | The flavors were meant to be Fruit Skittles with the colors and flavors mixed up, showing the answers on the back. | Skittles with mixed up flavors and colors. Sold for a short time in the United Kingdom in 2008. The flavor came in purple bags with a large question mark. | 2008 |
| Xtreme | 2 flavors in 1 Skittle
|
The flavor was sold for a limited time in 2009. | 2009 |
| Confused (2013) | Similar to an incarnation previously sold in the United Kingdom where the same colored shell contains different flavors (e.g., the green Skittle may be cherry in one bag, and peach in another). | The flavor was part of the 2013 Skittles brand re-launch in the United Kingdom. Carried the tagline 'Confuse the Rainbow, Taste the Rainbow' | |
| Sour (Europe and Australia) |
|
2001[1] | |
| Sour (International) |
|
Sour Green Apple replaced Sour Lime from 2013 until 2021. | 2001[1] |
| Crazy Sours |
|
The flavor is available in Europe. | 2003 |
| Smoothie Mix |
|
Skttles with flavors reminiscent of a smoothie. The flavor was sold for a short time in 2009.[1] The product was sold in orange packaging. | 2009[1] |
| Ice Cream |
|
Sold in convenience stores in urban cities for a limited time in 2010. | 2010[10] |
| Carnival |
|
The flavor was sold in the United States for a limited time in 2007. | 2007 |
| Unlimited |
|
The flavor was sold in Canada for a limited time in 2011. The product was sold in blue packaging. | 2011 |
| Bubble Gum |
|
The flavor was introduced in 2003 and discontinued in 2006. | 2003 |
| Extreme Fruit Bubble Gum |
|
The flavor was sold in black boxes for a short time in 2006 before being discontinued along with original-flavored Skittles bubble gum. | 2006[1] |
| Mint (United States) | Mint Skittles in the United States came in two flavors, spearmint and wintergreen, with five different colors for each (blue and green, respectively). Unlike original Skittles, the flavors were packaged in plastic containers instead of bags.[11] The flavor was sold for a limited time in 2002. | 2002 | |
| Fresh Mint |
|
The flavor was sold for a limited time in the United States in 2006. | 2006 |
| Mint (Europe) |
|
The flavor, different from Mint Skittles sold in the United States, was sold for a limited time in Europe. The flavor was sold in a 55-gram (1.94-oz) deep turquoise-colored box instead of the usual bags. | — |
| Chocolate Mix |
|
The flavor was sold in brown packaging in the United States for a limited time in 2008. | 2007[10] |
| Chocolate |
|
The flavor was a retooling of the Chocolate Mix flavor, and was sold in the United States for a limited time in 2008. | 2008[1] |
| Liquorice | The flavor was sold in Europe in 55-gram (1.94-oz) boxes instead of the usual bags. | — | |
| Citrus |
|
The flavor was sold in Australia. | — |
| Skittles Sensations |
|
Skittles with 'hot' and 'cool' flavors. | 2009 |
| Skittles Fizzl'd Fruits | Introduced in 2010, these were Wild Berry Skittles with fizzing powder coating. The flavor was discontinued in 2012 due to low sales. | 2010[10] | |
| Skittles Blenders |
|
These were Skittles with two flavors blended together. The flavor was discontinued in 2014. | 2011[10] |
| Skittles Riddles |
|
These were Skittles with colors that don't match the flavors. They were similar to the 2008 Confused Skittles from the UK, where the same colored shell can contain different flavors (e.g., a green Skittle may be apple in one bag, and cherry in another). The colors were red, pink, green, teal, and blue. The flavor was discontinued in the United States in 2014. | 2012 |
| Skittles Darkside (UK) |
|
These are Skittles with a slight bold fruit taste. The flavor was first launched in the United Kingdom in 2015 as a limited edition flavour. Returns seasonally in the United Kingdom for Halloween. | 2015 |
| Skittles Darkside (United States) |
|
These are Skittles with a slight bold fruit taste. The flavor was first discontinued in 2015, but it was revived in the United States in [12] 2019. The flavor was re-discontinued in 2022. | 2013 |
| Skittles Desserts |
|
These are Skittles with dessert flavors The flavor was introduced in the United States in late November 2013 and in Canada in 2014, and discontinued in 2016. | 2013 |
| Seattle Mix Skittles |
|
This was a limited edition flavor of Skittles that had only raspberry and melon berry flavored, both inherited from the Wild Berry flavor. The flavor was originally released along with Skittles Football Auction items in January 2014. The flavor was re-released as a Super Bowl XLIX edition in January 2015. | 2014 |
| Skittles Orchards |
|
These Skittles had fruit flavors that would be found in an orchard. The flavor was discontinued in 2017. | 2014 |
| Flavor Mash-Ups! | Contains a mix of Tropical and Wild Berry Skittles. | 2015 | |
| Skittles Sweets & Sours |
|
These were Skittles with sweet and sour flavors. The flavor was discontinued in 2019. | 2016 |
| Skittles America Mix |
|
These are Skittles with colors of the American flag. Sold around 4th of July every year from 2017 to 2023. | 2017 |
| Skittles Cauldron |
|
These are Skittles with Halloween-themed flavors. Sold every year around Halloween since 2016. | 2016 |
| Skittles Brightside |
|
These are Skittles with vivid bright colors. This flavor was found in some Walmart stores in October 2016, and released nationwide in 2017. The flavor was discontinued in 2022. | 2017 |
| Skittles Fruits & Sours |
|
The flavor is a mixture of 3 flavors from the Fruits and Crazy Sours flavors, sold for a limited time in the United Kingdom in 2017. | Early-Mid 2017 |
| Pride Fruits |
|
Fruit Skittles all in white to celebrate Pride Month once a year in the United Kingdom. | 2017 |
| Trick Plays |
|
Limited edition US release in partnership with the National Football League. Colors don't match the flavors (colors are pink, light green, teal, blue, and red). |
Fall 2017 |
| Sweet Heat (United States) |
|
These were Skittles with a spicy kick. The flavor was discontinued in 2018. | 2017 |
| Holiday Mix |
|
These were Skittles with Christmas colors (red and green). The flavor was sold around the Christmas season in 2015, 2016, and 2017. | 2015 |
| Love Mix |
|
These were Skittles with white, pink, and red colors. The flavor was sold between January and February 2018, and was exclusive to Target. | 2018 |
| Summer Splash |
|
These were Skittles with summer-oriented flavors. The flavor was sold between June and July 2018, and was exclusive to Dollar General. | 2018 |
| Orchards Limited Edition (United Kingdom) |
|
The flavor was sold in the United Kingdom for a short time in 2018. The colors and flavors are different from the United States version. | 2018 |
| Sweet Heat Limited Edition (United Kingdom) |
|
The flavor was sold in the United Kingdom for a short time in September and October 2018 as a Halloween special. The colors and flavors are different from the United States version. Sizzlin' Strawberry is colored red instead of light pink, and Flamin Orange' and Blazin' Mango are replaced by Scorchin' Pineapple and Piccante Passion Fruit; the latter is colored purple instead of light orange. | 2018 |
| Zombie |
|
These are Halloween-themed Skittles with some with a Rotten Zombie flavor mixed in, similar to Bean Boozled jelly beans. The flavor was sold during Halloween 2019. | 2019[13] |
| Imposters |
|
The flavor was sold between June and July 2019, and was exclusive to Walmart. The colors don't match the flavors (colors are pink, green, blue, orange, and white). | 2019[14] |
| Freeze Pop |
|
The flavor was sold between June and July 2019, and was exclusive to Dollar General. | 2019[14] |
| Sour Wild Berry |
|
These are Wild Berry Skittles with sour coating. The flavor was sold between June and July 2019, and was exclusive to Dollar General. | 2019[14] |
| Smoothies (Europe) | The flavor was released in 2021. The flavours contain a sweet vanilla note, more reminiscent of ice cream flavours. | 2021 | |
| Chewies |
|
Skittles Fruits without the shells, available in Europe. | 2018[15] |
| Giants |
|
These are Skittles that are 3 times bigger than normal. Comes in Fruits and Crazy Sours flavors, and sold in Europe. | |
| Shriekers |
|
These are Skittles with a chance that the flavors might be very sour. Sold every year around Halloween since 2021. | 2021 |
| Desserts (Europe and Australia) |
|
These are Skittles with a chance that the flavors might be very Desserts. The flavor was sold in 2023. | 2023 |
| Skittles Smoothies (United States) |
|
The flavor is an updated version of the Smoothie Mix Skittles. | 2020 |
| Slushie (Australia) |
|
The flavor is an updated version of the Slushie Mix Skittles. | 20?? |
| Gummies (United States) |
|
2021 | |
| Squishy Cloudz |
|
Sold in Europe. | 2022 |
| Squishy Cloudz Crazy Sours |
|
Sold in Europe. | 2022 |
| Sour Gummies (United States) |
|
2023 |
References
edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Skittles". Wrigley Company. Archived from the original on 2012-10-27. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ^ "Why the Purple Skittle Tastes Different Outside America". 9 September 2016.
- ^ "Skittles | Skittles Flavors | Skittles Candy". Wrigley.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-27. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ^ "Green Skittles Are Getting a New (Old) Flavor".
- ^ Lowin, Rebekah (22 June 2017). "Lime Skittles Are Back This Summer for a Limited Time". Food & Wine. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ "Wrigley launches Skittles 'Once in a Blue Moon'". 28 January 2015.
- ^ JPS. "The Great Skittle Debate". February-7.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2003. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ TMA. "Skittles En Fuego Abandoned Trademark". Trademarkalertz.com. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ Mars Press Release
- ^ a b c d Blog items categorized as "Skittles" at Candy Blog on typetive.com
- ^ "Mint Skittles. (Candy Product Update)". Confectioner. 2012-06-01. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
- ^ "Mars Wrigley Confectionery introduces Hazelnut Spread M&M'S, Creamy Snickers at NACS Show".
- ^ "Zombie Skittles Dare You to Taste Rotten Zombie". The Daily Meal. 2018-10-09. Retrieved 2018-11-30.
- ^ a b c "Mars Wrigley Confectionery Press Kit". Mars, Incorporated. 2019-05-20. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
- ^ Koman, Tess (2018-07-26). "What In The Actual Heck Is Going On With These Very New, Very Naked Skittles??". Delish. Retrieved 2020-03-01.