Smarties chocolate beans

Smarties have a storied history dating back to 1882 when they were first introduced as 'Chocolate Beans' by H.I. Rowntree & Company in York, England. Rebranded as Smarties in 1937, the colorful sugar-coated chocolates became a staple of the British candy market. The production process involves coating milk chocolate centers with a crisp, colorful sugar shell, famously using only natural colors derived from plants and vegetables today.

In 1988, Rowntree's was acquired by the Swiss multi-national Nestlé, which has since expanded the presence of Smarties globally. While the brand is quintessentially British in origin, the primary manufacturing hub for Europe and the Middle East is now located in Hamburg, Germany, while the North American versions (distinct from the American sugar tablet 'Smarties') are produced in Toronto, Canada. Nestlé remains the ultimate owner and strategic manager of the brand's global distribution.