ita - you misspelled: Now, do Smarties pre-date the M&M, therefore being the trial run gone horribly awry, or are they more recent, once again proving the lesson learned with "New Coke", namely, you don't fuck with a classic?

Cindy, it's okay. I don't hold your having been brainwashed by mediocre US chocolate against you. You don't know. You can't understand.

Smarties have a too high coating to chocolate ratio. I'm sorry.

It's a quality not quantity thing, really.

Now, do Smarties pre-date the M&M, therefore being the one tru candy coated chocolate, or are they more recent, representing the concept being done right?

The former, apparently, ita.

M&M's were first sold to the public in 1941, packaged in cardboard tubes. In 1948, the packaging changed from a tube to the brown plastic pouch known today. In 1954, "M&M's Peanut Chocolate Candies were introduced. That same year, the M&M's brand characters and the famous slogan "The milk chocolate melts in your mouth, not in your hand" were both trademarked. >[link]

Smarties were launched as Chocolate Beans in 1937. Initially priced at 2d, they were renamed Smarties and packed in the famous tube one year later. The eight original colours - red, yellow, orange, green, mauve, pink, light brown and brown - remained the same until the replacement of the light brown by a blue Smarties following a successful promotion in 1989. Before 1958, the dark brown Smarties had a plain chocolate centre the light brown one tasted of coffee. >[link]

At this time, I'll point out that I grew up on smarties. I don't remember M&Ms being available until I was an adult.

Also? I have no idea what this is [link] but I understand the non-UnAms are to blame.

---

I am down with the fact that most mass-produced American Chocolates are inferior. However, when you want Creamy Chocolate and/or a Peanut Coated in Creamy Chocolate -- Encased in a Colorful and Crunchy Candy Shell, M&Ms are the One True CCa/oaPCiCC--EiaCaCCS. YCCa/oaPCiCCMMayInFactNOTV.

Also, because I am earwormed and those capable should be too...

Sing the Smarties Song!
When you eat your Smarties,
Do you eat the red ones last?
Do you suck them very slowly,
Or crunch them very fast?
Eat that candy-coated chocolate,
But tell me when I ask,
When you eat your Smarties,
Do you eat the red ones last?

shakes head pityingly.

Ah, you poor, poor creatures. Brainwashed into embracing the M&M over yummy chocolatey goodness.

shakes head pityingly.

That's a known side-effect from eating those inferior M&M wannabe thingies.

Julie, what are you still doing up?

The smartie dot com thing is because the UK company Rowntree's sold the Smarties name to an American company a long time ago.