Smarties are color-varied, sugar-coated, dragée chocolate confectionery. They have been manufactured since 1937, originally by H.I. Rowntree & Company in the United Kingdom, and now by Nestlé.
Smarties
UK Nestlé Smarties, before (above) and immediately after (below) transition to natural colours. The blue Smartie was later reintroduced, using a natural blue dye.
UK blue Smarties, old (above) and new (below)
Nestlé UK Ltd., trading as Rowntree's, is a British confectionery brand and a former business based in York, England. Rowntree developed the Kit Kat, Aero, Fruit Pastilles, Smarties brands, and the Rolo and Quality Street brands when it merged with Mackintosh's in 1969 to form Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery. Rowntree's also launched After Eight thin mint chocolates in 1962. The Yorkie and Lion bars were introduced in 1976. Rowntree's also pioneered the festive selection box which in the UK have been a staple gift at Christmas for over a century.
Joseph Rowntree became owner of the company when his brother and founder, Henry, died in 1883
Rowntree's Cocoa tin manufactured between 1936 and 1941
Exhibit of British foods during World War II, including Rowntree's Kit Kat and Fruit Pastilles. The Kit Kat adopted its familiar red packaging after the war.
A view of the Nestlé production facility in York, England, in 2009
