Milky Way (chocolate bar)

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Milky Way is a brand of chocolate bar currently manufactured by Mars, Incorporated. It was introduced in 1923 by Frank C. Mars and originally manufactured in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Milky Way bar's North American variant is made of chocolate-malt nougat topped with caramel and covered with milk chocolate, differing significantly from the global version sold outside the United States, which does not include caramel.

History[edit | edit source]

The Milky Way bar was created by Frank C. Mars in 1923. The idea was to create a chocolate bar that tasted like a malted milk shake, a popular drink at the time. The name "Milky Way" was inspired by a malted milk drink of the same name, not the galaxy. In its early years, the Milky Way bar was marketed as a two-piece bar that was sold for a nickel in the United States.

Variants[edit | edit source]

Over the years, the Milky Way brand has expanded to include several variants:

  • Milky Way Midnight: Introduced as "Forever Yours" until 1979, this variant features dark chocolate, vanilla-flavored nougat, and caramel.
  • Milky Way Simply Caramel: Launched in 2010, this version focuses on the caramel aspect, omitting the nougat.
  • Milky Way Lite: A lower-calorie option that was available for a time but has since been discontinued.

International Versions[edit | edit source]

The Milky Way bar sold outside the United States is similar to the 3 Musketeers bar sold in the U.S., consisting of a whipped nougat center that is coated with milk chocolate. This version does not include caramel. The international version of the Milky Way can be found in various flavors, depending on the country.

Production[edit | edit source]

The production of Milky Way bars involves a complex process that includes mixing the ingredients for the nougat, forming the nougat into bars, adding caramel (for the North American version), and then enrobing the bars in chocolate. The bars are then cooled, packaged, and shipped to stores.

Marketing[edit | edit source]

Over the decades, Milky Way has been marketed through various advertising campaigns, often emphasizing its milk chocolate and smooth, creamy texture. The brand has used slogans such as "The sweet you can eat between meals" and "At work, rest and play, you get three great tastes in a Milky Way."

Nutritional Information[edit | edit source]

A standard Milky Way bar contains sugar, milk chocolate, corn syrup, and other ingredients contributing to its sweet taste. The calorie count and nutritional content vary by size and variant of the bar.

In Popular Culture[edit | edit source]

The Milky Way bar has made appearances in various movies, television shows, and other media, often as a comfort food or favorite snack of the characters.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD