Mars is a chocolate bar manufactured by Mars Incorporated. For the first time, Forrest Mars (the son of the founder of a confectionery company) made such a chocolate bar in 1932 in the English town of Slough. The bar was similar to the Milky Way made by Forrest's father Frank. In its composition, it also contained nougat. In addition to nougat, it contained Mars chocolate bar and thick caramel.
In Russia, like all products of this company, it was imported only in 1992 and rapidly gained popularity. Someone finds it too sugary, someone, on the contrary, says that the sugar content in the bar is what you need. Many love it for its lack of nuts and soft texture.
But with the fact that Mars is a chocolate bar that combines the three most famous and delicious components, hardly anyone decides to argue. Indeed, there is nothing superfluous or original in the bar, but this simplicity makes it even tastier and more attractive.
Mars chocolate, having traveled a path of more than 80 years, has not changed its composition even once. During this time, it has become one of the most popular chocolate bars not only in the United States of America and English-speaking countries, but throughout the world.
Interesting: from the production of Mars chocolate (eng.)
Mars is available in only one flavor.
In the kitchen of a small American home in Tacoma, Frank Mars and his wife prepared butter-filled chocolates - this is how a great corporation was born. All residents of the city fell in love with these sweets, so in 1911 the Mars Candy Factory company was formed.
First, the Milky Way bar gained success. In 1930, Snickers was created, the cost was small - 5 cents. Frank did not have big ambitions, the main goal remained - to provide for his family. Son Forrest wanted worldwide recognition, so he took $ 50,000, a recipe for products, and left for England.
The manufacturer of the Mars bar, Forrest, positioned it as not only a tasty treat, but also beneficial. Advertising said that he is a source of strength and vigor, as it relieves fatigue.
Composition of "Mars"
The filling contains sugar, milk powder, glucose syrup, salt, fat-free cocoa powder, malt extract, protein powder, milk powder 0% fat, whey powder. The composition of chocolate includes cocoa butter, milk powder 0% fat, cocoa mass, whey, vanillin, lecithin, lactose.
- Chocolate contains 455 calories per 100 g.
- Proteins are 4.4 g; fats - 18.2 g; carbohydrates - 68 g.
Benefit and harm
Chocolate contains iron, magnesium and antioxidants. Thanks to the use of Mars chocolate, mood improves, digestion improves.
Storage conditions
Shelf life - 9 months. It should be stored at a temperature of 5-22 degrees, with an air humidity not exceeding 70 percent.
fried bar recipe
At parties in Scotland, fried chocolate bars are served instead of hamburgers. The Scots say "Eat one a day and die young and happy." This indicates that you still shouldn't get carried away with them (there are a lot of calories there). For the recipe you will need:
- "Mars" - 1 piece;
- Egg - 1 piece;
- Flour - 1 tablespoon;
- Peanut butter (can be replaced with sesame) - 1 tablespoon.
Scottish national dish recipe:
- Beat the egg, mix it with flour and a little water.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan, put the bar and fry until crispy.
- Lay out, leave for a quarter of an hour.
- Fry again, achieving a light golden hue.
- The fried bar is ready!
The bar has won the love of teenagers, still remaining one of the most sought-after snacks. When using it, the main thing is to observe the measure in order to use it without a twinge of conscience until old age.
Delicacy. It was first made in 1932 in the UK and was sold as Couverture brand chocolate.
History of appearance
In 1932, Forrest Mars, the son of American candy maker Frank Mars, rented a factory in Slough and, working with a team of twelve, began manufacturing a nougat and caramel candy bar. The bar was topped with milk chocolate and modeled after the Milky Way that was already popular in the US. Currently, the basic recipe remains unchanged, but the size of the bar and the proportions of the main components have changed more than once over the years. With slight variations, this classic version is sold all over the world (with the exception of the USA), and everywhere the chocolates are packaged in a black wrapper with a red lettering.
Recent Changes
In 2002, the appearance of "Mars" was revised, and its logo was updated to a more modern one. Its price has also increased slightly. The composition of the Mars bar has also changed - the nougat has become lighter, the chocolate layer on top has become thinner, and the total weight of the chocolate bar has been slightly reduced.
In Australia, the Mars logo has never changed - and to this day the packaging is the same as it was before 2002. The original advertising slogan, which is now used almost all over the world, is "Pleasure you can't measure".
Kinds
"Mars" is a bar that appears on sale in various forms. In addition to the classic packaging weighing 58 grams, you can purchase miniature bars weighing 19.7 grams and 36.5 grams. Previously, Mars King Size was often on sale, which weighed 84 grams. It is currently out of production and has been replaced by the Mars Duo, consisting of 2 bars of 42.5 grams each.
Previously, the standard "Mars" weighed 62.5 grams, until it was reduced by the decision of the manufacturer. In Australia, the weight of the produced classic bar is 53 grams. This change was not announced initially. But when consumers noticed how much smaller the familiar Mars bar had become, the manufacturer commented on the innovation as a means of combating the mass obesity of the population. The company later confirmed that the real reason for the change was due to rising costs.
Features of selling in the USA
"Mars" (bar) is sold in almost all countries of the world unchanged, with the exception of the United States. The American version was discontinued in 2002 and was replaced with a Snickers variation with nougat, almonds and milk chocolate on top.
Limited Editions
In addition, "Mars" is a chocolate bar, which was produced in a limited "circulation" with a modified composition in different countries. However, in some regions, these versions are on sale almost regularly.
So, there is "Mars Dark", which is produced in Canada on an ongoing basis and appears in the form of limited series in European countries. Its difference from the classic version is that it is covered with dark chocolate on top, not milk chocolate.
Also, in some countries, different forms of this chocolate are produced, tied to any events. The famous "Mars" in the form of Easter eggs, which is available in Europe every spring.
Release in Australia
Australia is the only country where "Mars" (bar) is produced in many variations to this day. In addition, only there came out various original packaging of chocolates. The most famous of them are the following.
"Mars Triple Chocolate" is a variant that, despite its name, includes chocolate nougat and chocolate caramel. It was also made available as a limited edition in the UK in August 2011 and then re-released in 2015 as Mars Xtra Choc.
Mars Cold bar (was available not only in Australia, but also in New Zealand and the UK) - featured original wrapper. The name was written on the packaging not in red, but in white, which turned blue when placed in the cold.
In August 2007, Mars Rock was released, which added chocolate nougat and a thick layer of caramel. The bar was covered in milk chocolate with added crunchy elements (whose main ingredients are wheat flour and sugar).
Mars Red is currently on sale. It has a red wrapper and the title is written in black. This option is considered less caloric.
'Mars 100% Caramel' has been available in Australia since January 2011. This is a standard sized bar, but it does not contain it. It was made available in the UK in a limited 'run' in 2012.
Also, "Mars" (bar) is available in vanilla (nougat has a vanilla flavor) and honey (nougat has the taste of honey in honeycombs).
Other brand products
Since this manufacturer's chocolates have become popular all over the world, a number of other products with the same name have appeared. The most famous and common of them are sweets and ice cream. They are available in many countries, including Russia and the CIS.
Ice cream is available both in the form of bars and in large packaged portions, and is a mixture of nougat, caramel and ice cream.
Also in Europe, a series of drinks "Mars" is popular - chocolate cocktails and energy drinks.
Why are Mars bars being recalled?
In early 2016, news broke that plastic impurities had been found in some batches of Mars. In this regard, the manufacturer decided to withdraw some of the products sent to various countries. In total, several batches of chocolates from 55 countries were returned. As it turned out later, these events did not affect Russia.
What can quickly satisfy your hunger, energize, rejuvenate and cheer you up better than a chocolate bar? It is difficult to find any other product that has the same invigorating effect on the body. Chocolate "Mars" fell in love with many children and adults who appreciated its special delicate taste. Let's find out the history of the appearance of the bar, its composition and information about how many calories are in such a delicacy.
Lovers of sweets do not associate the name of the bar with the planet of the solar system or the ancient Greek god of war.
In fact, the chocolate bar inherited the name from the founder of the confectionery company, American Frank Mars.
In the small town of Tacoma, together with his wife, to provide for his family, he began to prepare chocolates, adding butter filling to them. Residents liked the tasty treat, and in 1911 a whole company called the Mars Candy Factory turned out of a small kitchen.
The first successful finds of a developing American company are Milky Way and Snickers bars, in the production of which Frank's son Forrest already took an active part. It was he who, in search of worldwide popularity, went to the UK to try his luck, not forgetting to take with him a good start-up capital and recipes for chocolate sweets.
Black wrapper with bright red letters - in this design, the famous Mars chocolate bar appeared in 1932 and has not changed much since then. Milk chocolate with caramel filling was presented as a product not only tasty, but also healthy, allowing you to quickly replenish energy reserves. It is worth noting that this advertising move still gives good results to this day.
Manufacturer, official site
Mars Incorporated gradually absorbed smaller firms and grew into a corporation that included not only confectionery factories, but also factories for the production of drinks, pet food, chewing gum, sauces, and instant food.
Today, the corporation's headquarters is located in the American McLain, and its owners are Forrest's grandchildren: John, Edward and Jacqueline.
The company, which at the beginning of its development consisted of 12 people, including members of the Mars family, today boasts more impressive numbers. According to the official website of the corporation https://www.mars.com/global, only one of the chocolate manufacturing industries is represented in 19 countries, where more than 15 thousand people work.
In Russia, Mars began its confident steps in 1991, when it opened its official representative office in the person of AOZT Masterfoods. In 1995, under a different name - Mars LLC - many company offices were already opened throughout the country and in other CIS countries.
And 1996 was marked by the opening of the first chocolate factory in the town of Stupino near Moscow. It is here that today the head office of Mars LLC is located, which does business in 12 CIS countries.
Today in Russia there are already 9 factories in 4 different regions that produce products of the Mars company.
The love of schoolchildren for candy bars has a completely logical justification. After all, among the useful properties of chocolate is a significant increase in mental strength, even after heavy loads in the classroom. Therefore, before a serious test, exam or test, a treat turns into a drug that stimulates brain activity.
But you can’t get too carried away with such “therapy”, because the high calorie content of the product can add extra pounds and related health problems in a short period of time.
And then the slogan invented in one of the countries “Take a bite every day - you will die happy and young” will not look so harmless anymore. Everything is good in moderation, especially chocolate.
- By the way, taking care of the health of its consumers (at least, so the manufacturers claimed) in 2002, a company in Australia made the weight of the bar less by 12 grams. True, later it became known that the “weight loss” of the Mars chocolate bar was the result of the financial crisis.
- The laconic packaging design, as we have already said, has hardly changed since the brand was founded. True, there have been such attempts. In the UK and Australia, they tried to release a batch of bars in a white wrapper with the same inscription in red letters. The experiment was not entirely unsuccessful, so so far no other similar innovations have been introduced.
- 2005 was a difficult year for the corporation. An anonymous letter received by e-mail spoke of the poisoning of seven chocolates among a new batch that had just left the conveyor and sent to stores. It would be possible to ignore such threats from unknown ill-wishers if there were no reports from hospitals about victims of poisoning with bars of this brand. About 20 people, after eating a treat, turned to doctors for help, two of them needed hospitalization. Representatives of the corporation immediately pleaded guilty and immediately recalled the entire consignment of goods. In addition, all expenses for the treatment of the victims were reimbursed from the Mars Incorporated fund.
- Another unpleasant incident happened in February 2016. Then it turned out that due to a violation of production technology, several batches may contain plastic in their composition. The products were recalled from 55 countries around the world, and the company apologized.
Chocolate "Mars": composition and calorie content
The bar gets its special taste thanks to its caramel filling. What is this delicacy?
The filling includes:
- dry fat and skimmed milk;
- glucose syrup;
- sugar;
- cocoa powder;
- lactose;
- malt extract;
- vegetable fats;
- serum;
- salt;
- dry egg white.
And chocolate contains:
- cocoa butter;
- sugar;
- grated cocoa;
- powdered milk;
- lactose;
- milk whey;
- dehydrated milk fat;
- lecithin;
- vanillin.
The package states that the bar can also contain crushed peanuts.
Chocolate has a special nutritional value due to the large amount of carbohydrates - 68%, therefore the calorie content of such a delicacy is high - 455 kcal per 100 grams.
Taste of chocolate bars
Nougat, sweet caramel and milk chocolate make these sweets especially tasty and tender. A dessert that melts in your mouth brings real pleasure to both children and adults with a sweet tooth.
In addition, due to the almost natural composition of the products, the bars are safe for the body. Unless, of course, you don't get too carried away eating them. Particular attention should be paid to the amount of chocolate in the diet of people who are prone to fullness.
"Mars" is an ideal way not only to feast, but also to recharge in order to move on, to new discoveries and vivid impressions.
Dangerous bars were not imported to Russia
Mars is recalling its confectionery products in 55 countries. Pieces of plastic found in chocolate. This was announced by the official representative of the company Rul Govers. Elements of red plastic, he said, were found in a Snickers bar. They turned out to be part of a plug that is used in production at a factory in the Dutch city of Vehel. According to the FDA, such foreign objects can cause suffocation. The recall will affect Mars, Snickers, Milky Way bars, as well as Celebrations candy sets, TASS correspondent in the Netherlands, Vitaly Chugin, said.
“4 million chocolate bars and packages of sweets are recalled only in the Netherlands, the company does not talk about the total number of products. The protective cap got into chocolates. According to an official representative of the Mars company, the probability of finding plastic in chocolate is very small, even the chances of winning the lottery are much higher, but the company does not want to take risks and recall the entire batch, which could contain pieces of this plastic, Kommersant FM said. » Chugin.
The concern has nine own factories in Russia. Chocolate bars are produced in the Ulyanovsk region and Stupino near Moscow. Enterprises provide both the domestic market and the market of the CIS countries. That is why the products will not be recalled in Russia, Elizaveta Alexandrova, corporate relations director for the Mars Chocolate in Russia segment, told Kommersant FM.
“This is exactly the case for France, Germany and the UK. First of all, we as Mars and our colleagues in European countries, having alerted the regulatory authorities, alert our consumers that such an abnormal situation has occurred, and we are doing everything possible to withdraw this product from sale, which was produced in December-January 2015-16,” Alexandrova noted.
State Duma deputy from the Communist Party Sergey Obukhov has already applied to Rospotrebnadzor with a request to check Mars products in Russia. In his opinion, this is necessary in order to protect the health of consumers. Plastic could get into chocolate only because of the inaccuracy of one of the employees of the enterprise, Andrey Korkunov, vice president of Opora Rossii, founder of the Korkunov chocolate brand, is sure.
“I worked with Mars for a long time, I know their quality standards and line automation, there can only be some kind of human factor. Whatever the automation, there is always access to the product. In my practice, at the very beginning we tested the equipment and, unfortunately, the cap from a fountain pen hit, then we stopped the entire batch - there was a small amount, 100 tons, but we stopped it anyway - and checked the whole thing. And the fact that they decided on such an action just confirms the reputation of Mars - despite the losses, recall their products, ”Korkunov said.
Until the end of March, consumers can return potentially hazardous products. All information about this is available on the official website of the manufacturer. However, on Tuesday, due to a large number of requests, the online resource was unavailable to users.
Anastasia Roizman