The LuLac Edition #5, 746, August 23rd, 2026

 

 

CARAMEL IS MOST SOUGHT 

AFTER M&M

 

Take a stroll down the candy aisle, and you’ll find no shortage of unexpected flavors. That’s especially true of one longtime favorite: In the decades since M&M’s debuted in 1941, the candy-coated chocolates have been reimagined in an ever-growing range of flavors. But new data suggests that when it comes to M&M’s, some flavors have more staying power than others.

Caramel M&M’s are the most-searched M&M flavor in the country, according to a new report from the life insurance platform Coventry Direct. They are also the top-searched variety in 12 states, including Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Mississippi, pointing to the flavor’s enduring popularity since its debut in 2017.

“M&M’s are a useful candy barometer because they’re very familiar and constantly being reinvented,” Coventry Direct content team researcher Kyle Beierlein tells Food & Wine. “The original candy has decades of recognition and tradition behind it, but the brand also keeps introducing new centers, textures, and seasonal flavors.”

While Caramel M&M’s dominate searches nationwide, tried-and-true Original M&M’s lead in 11 states, with much of that interest concentrated in the Northeast and parts of the West.

Peanut M&M’s take the No. 3 spot, ranking as the most-searched variety in six states. The longtime favorite, which debuted in 1954, is especially popular in the South, leading searches in states including Georgia and Arkansas.

Ome of my first memories of candy is when I had the M&M’s as a child. Since then, they are a favorite when I’m in a pinch to get something sweet and not one that might melt in business attire. (Food & Wine, LuLac)

 

HOW MUCH COFFEE IS TOO MUCH?

The American Heart Association has weighed in on how much coffee can help or hurt you. Now I don’t have a dog in this hunt because I don’t drink coffee. But here are the recommendations.

The American Heart Association says up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day — roughly five 8-ounce cups of caffeinated coffee — is safe for most adults and does not increase cardiovascular risk.

Research cited by the AHA found that drinking two to four cups of coffee per day was associated with the lowest all-cause mortality, while roughly four cups per day was associated with the lowest risk of heart failure.

Caffeine affects people differently, and high doses, such as those found in energy drinks and energy shots, may increase the risk of high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms. (Food & Wine, LuLac)