Skittles: The Original Fruit Flavours
What’s in the Original bag
The 1.6kg Original Skittles bulk bag contains the five classic fruit flavours that have been in the range since Skittles launched in the UK in 1974. Strawberry is red. Lemon is yellow. Orange is orange. Lime is green. Grape is purple. Each one is a hard sugar shell with a chewy centre, and the flavour hits immediately when you bite through. The 1.6kg format is the largest single bag available and works out as the best value per gram of any Skittles format on the market.
The flavour debate
Skittles are one of those sweets with strongly held opinions about which flavours are best. Strawberry and lime tend to be the most popular. Grape divides people. Lemon is underrated. The bulk bag format means you can work through your preferences at your own pace without running out quickly, which is part of why the large bag format exists. The question of whether all Skittles actually taste the same has been raised repeatedly over the years: research suggests that smell plays a significant role in how we perceive the flavour differences, and that without the visual and olfactory cues, distinguishing between them becomes harder. Whether that changes how you eat them is up to you.
About Skittles
A brief history
Skittles were first manufactured in the UK in 1974 by a British company. Mars acquired the brand in 1997 and the global rollout that followed made them one of the most recognised sweets worldwide. The “Taste the Rainbow” slogan has been in use since 1994 and is one of the most durable advertising taglines in confectionery. The original fruit flavours have remained largely consistent throughout, though regional variations exist and limited edition flavours appear regularly.
How Skittles are made
Each Skittle has a hard sugar shell and a softer, chewy interior. The shell is formed through a process called panning, where the sweet is tumbled in a rotating drum while layers of sugar syrup are added gradually and allowed to dry. The result is the smooth, uniform shell that gives Skittles their distinctive appearance. The chewy centre is made from a mixture of sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated palm kernel oil and fruit juice concentrate.
Are Skittles vegan?
The UK formulation of Skittles has been vegan since 2021, when Mars removed carmine, a red colouring derived from insects, from the recipe. The current UK recipe does not contain gelatine or any other animal-derived ingredients. This is a change from the US formulation, which still contains gelatine in some varieties, so if you’re buying from a UK supplier you’re getting the vegan version. For more vegan sweet options, the vegan sweets range covers the full selection.
Are Skittles gluten free?
Skittles Original do not contain gluten ingredients. However, they are not certified gluten free and manufacturing processes vary, so people with coeliac disease should check current packaging before buying. For certified gluten free options, the gluten free sweets category is the better starting point.
The 1.6kg Bulk Bag: Who It’s For
Events and sweet tables
The 1.6kg bag is the practical choice for anyone who needs a significant quantity of Skittles without buying multiple smaller bags. Sweet tables, pick n mix stations, party bags and office sweet supplies are all common uses. At 1.6kg, the bag provides well over 1,000 individual Skittles, which goes a long way at any event.
Regular buyers
For households or workplaces that go through Skittles regularly, the bulk bag is simply the most cost-effective way to buy. Decanting into a bowl or jar and restocking from the bag as needed is a straightforward approach that keeps a steady supply without constant reordering. Free UK delivery on orders over £20 makes the economics work even better.
Pick n mix and mixing
Skittles work well as part of a broader pick n mix selection. Their small size means they fill gaps in a bag efficiently and the fruit flavours complement most other sweets. The pick n mix online guide has suggestions for building a balanced sweet bag if you’re combining Skittles with other products. For a look at how Skittles compare across the full range of flavour varieties, the Skittles UK guide on The Hub covers it in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Skittles vegan in the UK?
Yes. The UK formulation of Skittles Original has been vegan since 2021 when Mars removed carmine from the recipe. The current UK version contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Are Skittles gluten free?
Skittles Original do not contain gluten ingredients but are not certified gluten free. People with coeliac disease should check current packaging for the most up to date allergen information.
How many Skittles are in a 1.6kg bag?
Approximately 1,000 to 1,100 individual Skittles depending on size variation. The exact count will vary slightly by batch.
What flavours are in Original Skittles?
The five original flavours are strawberry (red), lemon (yellow), orange (orange), lime (green) and grape (purple). These have been the core flavours since the UK launch in 1974.
Who makes Skittles?
Skittles are made by Mars. The brand was originally a British product launched in 1974 before Mars acquired it in 1997.
How much does the 1.6kg Skittles bag cost?
The 1.6kg bulk bag is available from £1 at One Pound Sweets with free UK delivery on orders over £20.
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Free Delivery
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