Maltesers, the delightful, malted milk balls covered in smooth milk chocolate, are manufactured by Mars, Incorporated. Owned by one of the largest privately held companies in the United States, Mars has successfully branded Maltesers as a light-hearted snack. The company has a significant presence across the globe, selling these popular treats in various regions including Europe, Australia, Canada, and Asia.
Meaning and History
Maltesers were first introduced in 1937 by Forrest Mars, Sr., during a period when Mars was expanding its confectionery business beyond the famous Mars bars. The creation of Maltesers represented an innovation in confectionery: a lighter, airier alternative to the dense chocolate bars that dominated the market. Over the decades, Maltesers have become known for their distinctive, airy texture with a crunchy malt center—a recipe that has remained relatively unchanged since their inception.
Significant milestones for Maltesers include their enduring popularity during World War II as a lighter, energy-boosting snack for women. In recent years, Mars has leveraged modern marketing techniques to reposition Maltesers as a health-conscious choice within the candy industry, emphasizing their lighter qualities compared to more calorific chocolate snacks. Today, Maltesers continue to be a staple on movie nights and a popular choice among those seeking a lighter snack option without sacrificing taste. Their current market position is strong, maintaining high visibility and consumer preference in the confectionery industry.
What is Maltesers?
Maltesers are a product of Mars, Incorporated, primarily known as a confectionery company. These bite-sized, round chocolates feature a crunchy, malted milk center enveloped in a layer of creamy milk chocolate, offering a unique and light eating experience.
1937 – 1943
The Maltesers logo from 1937 showcases a classic and timeless design, reflecting the brand’s early identity and heritage. The logo features the brand name “Maltesers” in a bold, italicized font, creating a sense of movement and energy. The text is presented in a light color against a dark background, ensuring high visibility and readability. The letters are slightly tilted, adding a dynamic touch to the overall design. This logo effectively communicates the brand’s playful and enjoyable nature, making it appealing to consumers of all ages. The simplicity of the design allows for easy recognition and versatility across various marketing materials and product packaging. This early version of the Maltesers logo reflects the brand’s commitment to providing a fun and delightful chocolate experience from its inception.
1951 – 197?
The 1951 Maltesers logo introduces a more vibrant and colorful design, reflecting the brand’s evolving identity. This logo features the brand name “Maltesers” in a bold, white cursive font against a striking red background. The text is presented on a red banner that stretches diagonally across the packaging, creating a sense of motion and excitement. Surrounding the text are images of the signature Maltesers candies, emphasizing the product and making it visually appealing. Below the main text, a tagline describes the product as “Crisp Munchy Malt Honeycomb Coated with Milk Chocolate,” providing additional information about the product’s unique characteristics. The use of bold colors and playful typography effectively communicates the brand’s fun and delicious nature, making it easily recognizable and appealing to a wide audience.
197? – 1986
The 1970s Maltesers logo continues to build on the brand’s vibrant and dynamic identity. This version features the brand name “Maltesers” in a bold, italicized white font against a rich red background. The text is slightly tilted, adding a sense of movement and excitement to the design. The packaging is adorned with images of the Maltesers candies, emphasizing the product and making it visually appealing. The use of bold colors and dynamic typography ensures high visibility and readability, making the logo easily recognizable. This design effectively communicates the brand’s playful and enjoyable nature, appealing to both new and loyal consumers. The 1970 Maltesers logo reflects the brand’s commitment to providing a fun and delightful chocolate experience, making it a standout in the market during that era.
1986 – 1993
The 1986 Maltesers logo introduces a more modern and streamlined design, reflecting the brand’s adaptation to contemporary graphic trends. This logo features the brand name “Maltesers” in a bold, white cursive font against a bright red background. The text is surrounded by images of the signature Maltesers candies, creating a playful and visually appealing design. The use of bold colors and clean typography ensures high visibility and readability, making the logo easily recognizable. This version of the Maltesers logo effectively balances simplicity and playfulness, making it suitable for various marketing materials and product packaging. The modern aesthetic of the 1986 logo reflects the brand’s commitment to staying relevant and appealing to contemporary consumers while maintaining its core identity.
1993 – 2005
The 1993 Maltesers logo embraces a vibrant and dynamic design, reflecting the brand’s energetic and fun nature. This logo features the brand name “Maltesers” in a bold, white cursive font against a rich red background. The text is surrounded by images of the signature Maltesers candies, emphasizing the product and making it visually appealing. The overall design is clean and modern, with a focus on simplicity and readability. The use of bright colors and playful typography ensures the logo stands out and is easily recognizable. This version of the Maltesers logo effectively communicates the brand’s commitment to providing a fun and enjoyable chocolate experience, appealing to both new and loyal consumers.
2005 – 2018
The 2005 Maltesers logo introduces a sleek and contemporary design, reflecting the brand’s commitment to modernity and innovation. This logo features the brand name “Maltesers” in a bold, italicized white font against a bright red background. The text is surrounded by images of the signature Maltesers candies, creating a playful and visually appealing design. The use of bold colors and clean typography ensures high visibility and readability, making the logo easily recognizable. This modern aesthetic effectively communicates the brand’s fun and enjoyable nature, making it suitable for various marketing materials and product packaging. The 2005 Maltesers logo reflects the brand’s commitment to staying relevant and appealing to contemporary consumers while maintaining its core identity.
2018 – Today
The current Maltesers logo embraces a bold and playful design, capturing the brand’s fun and youthful spirit. The logo features the brand name “Maltesers” in a bold, italicized white font against a bright red background. The text is surrounded by images of the signature Maltesers candies, creating a playful and visually appealing design. The use of bright colors and dynamic typography ensures the logo stands out and is easily recognizable. The modern aesthetic effectively communicates the brand’s commitment to providing a fun and enjoyable chocolate experience, appealing to both new and loyal consumers. This logo is versatile and effective across various marketing materials and product packaging, making it a memorable and impactful representation of the brand.