You can’t compare apples and oranges. But it’s time to compare something even more controversial: M&M’s and Skittles. Shocking, I know, but someone has to do it.  

These sweet snacks are similar in many ways, much more similar than apples and oranges. They’re both small, round and imprinted with a letter. Other similarities include having a thin and colorful outer coating before reaching the flavorful center.  

Other than the main difference of flavor, there’s a couple other variants that are worth noting. M&M’s are made by Mars Chocolate and have been around since the 1940s. Skittles are made by Wrigley, which is a part of Mars Inc., and were made in 1974. Even in their differences there are some similarities!  

When it comes to having a snack, M&M’s wins every time. While the chocolate is cheap, it’s good enough to satisfy a craving. Eating the chocolate is still enjoyable if it starts to melt a little bit. It doesn’t change the flavor profile and instead only changes the texture.  

M&M’s are also versatile. They fit, if not belong, in all sorts of cookies, brownies, and cakes, just to mention a few. In a pinch, they can be melted and stirred to act as chocolate topping or dipping sauce.  

Most M&M variants are pretty solid choices as snacks. First there’s the basic differences like white or dark chocolate instead of the classic milk chocolate. Then there’s different fillings.  Although the peanut butter filled one is lacking, the ones with any nut  or pretzel in them are always a reliable snack. If you’ve never had a caramel filled one, you’re missing out. They truly take M&M’s to a whole new level.  

Skittles don’t meet the same marks that M&M’s do. When it comes to the experience of eating them, they cannot be warmed at all. Too many times I ate Skittles a little too slowly and had them melt in my hands, leaving a discolored white candy. There’s nothing appetizing about that.  

Though the candy does have some flavor variants, like tropical and sour, not all of them are a hit. Accidentally grabbing a wildberry skittle instead of a regular one is a real kick to the gut, literally and figuratively. However, the sour Skittles are good for when you’re in the mood for a tangy treat.  

Another downfall of Skittles is that they can’t be used in recipes. Even the idea of a skittle cookie just doesn’t sit right with me. Every once in a while I’ll see them in a cocktail, but those don’t look appealing. After sitting in the drink for a little bit, all the color will disappear which doesn’t have the same magic as the colorful look.  

Everyone’s flavor profile is different. Even though I’m a hardcore M&M fan, that doesn’t mean that I’ll never eat a Skittle. However, it can’t be said that M&M is the weaker candy. This might’ve been like comparing apples and oranges, but hey, Skittles and M&M’s need some more scrutiny if you ask me.