Snickers Bar

Snickers Bars: A Journey from Production to Plate

Snickers bars are one of the most beloved and popular chocolate bars in the world. For many of us, snacking on a Snickers bar is one of our favorite mid-afternoon treats. Though we all enjoy taking a bite and indulging in their creamy, crunchy and chewy deliciousness, few of us take the time to ponder the intricate journey that a Snickers bar takes before arriving on our dinner plate.

In fact, the process of creating a Snickers bar and transporting it to the grocery store is a complex and fascinating one. From the cocoa beans in the farms to the final product, the entire supply chain is highly engineered and coordinated. In this blog post, we’ll explore every step in this amazing journey and discover the science, engineering, and technology that makes it all possible.

The Raw Materials

The first step in producing a Snickers bar is to source the raw materials needed to make it. These, of course, include all the necessary ingredients typically found in a Snickers bar; peanuts, caramel, nougat, and chocolate.

Much of these ingredients, such as the peanuts, caramel, and nougat, come from suppliers that provide the highest quality raw materials. For instance, peanuts used in Snickers bars are sourced from farms all over the world, including the United States, China, and India. The caramel is made from cold-pressed sugar and fresh cream, while the nougat is made from a blend of milk and foam.

The chocolate, however, requires special treatment that begins with the harvesting of cocoa beans. The cocoa beans used by Mars to make Snickers bars come from some of the best farms located in West Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.

Once harvested, the cocoa beans must be fermented and dried to help develop their flavor and aroma. The beans are then roasted to unlock their natural flavor. To obtain the cocoa mass used in the making of chocolate, the beans are then ground into a paste and blended with cocoa butter and emulsifier to make sure it is creamy, smooth, and even.

Production

Now that all the ingredients have been sourced and prepared the actual production of the Snickers bar can begin. The process begins with the mixing of the main ingredients: the peanuts, caramel, and nougat. The ingredients are combined into a paste which is then poured into a mould, this then forms the base of the Snickers bar. The paste is heated so that it hardens and once it has reached the required consistency, it is ready to be transferred further along the assembly line.

The next step involves the chocolate. The cocoa mass is heated and combined with sugar and cocoa butter in a chocolate melter. This melter encourages the sugar to melt into the cocoa mass, resulting in a silky, smooth chocolate. This liquid chocolate is poured over the paste to coat it and act as a protective layer to keep the Snickers bar from melting. The chocolate covered Snickers bars are then cooled and hardened before being packaged ready for shipment.

Shipping and Distribution

At this point, the Snickers bars are ready to make their way from the factory to the store. This part of the process involve a complex logistics system involving the coordination of several different entities. The first group of individuals involved are the truck drivers responsible for transporting the Snickers bars from the factory to the store or distribution center.

The next entity in the chain are the distribution centers. At these centers, the Snickers bars are sorted and stored until they are ready to be transported to the store. Depending on where the Snickers bars are being shipped, they will travel by air, ship or truck. Once they have arrived at the store, the Snickers bars are placed in the appropriate shelves and ready to be purchased.

Arrival on the Plate

Now that the Snickers bars have finally reached the store, they are ready to make the final stop on their journey: your plate. Before serving, the Snickers bars must be unwrapped, however this is rarely a challenge for the eager Snickers fan. After unwrapping, the irresistible, crunchy bar can now be indulged and enjoyed for a sweet and fulfilling moment, thanks entirely to the complex process behind it.

Conclusion

The complex journey behind a Snickers bar is an incredible example of how engineering and science come together to create a much-beloved treat. From the cocoa tree farms to cellophane wrappers, it is thanks to the hard work and investment of the dedicated teams and entities that Snickers bars can be enjoyed all over the world. The next time you grab a Snickers bar, take a moment to appreciate and honor all the steps it took before it made it into your hands.