Left Twix vs. Right Twix: What is the Difference?

Twix bars have been a beloved chocolate treat for decades. As I unwrapped one of those familiar gold packages the other day, a question popped into my head that I realized had never occurred to me before: is there any difference between the left and right Twix bars in the package?

This led me down an interesting exploration of the history and marketing around Left and Right Twix. As a big fan of the chocolate-coated cookie bars myself, I was fascinated to find out more about this supposed rivalry between the two sides of Twix.

The Origin of the Twix “Rival Factories” Campaign

Twix bars first appeared back in 1967, produced by Mars, Incorporated. For over twenty years, Twix was packaged with two identical chocolate cookie bars side by side in each wrapper.

Then in the 1990s, Mars decided to have some fun with the two Twix bars concept. They launched an advertising campaign promoting a friendly rivalry between “Left Twix” and “Right Twix.” The story went that each half of the Twix bar came from separate factories, producing slightly different versions of the chocolate treat.

This built on the idea some consumers already had that the two Twix bars tasted different. Mars gave each factory its own persona and style. Left Twix was associated with the color blue, while Right Twix was red. Their packaging reflected these “preferences.”

The campaign took off, engaging consumers to take sides and debate the differences between the left and right Twix bars. Let’s take a closer look at each side’s supposed qualities:

Left Twix Characteristics

In the marketing rivalry, Left Twix presents itself as the crunchy, sweet choice. The advertising suggests that Left Twix bars are enrobed in chocolate, which means the cookie is completely coated before the caramel is drizzled over the top.

Fans of Left Twix argue this process makes the cookie inside especially crisp and crunchy. The drizzled caramel then adds extra sweetness without making the cookie soggy.

Right Twix Characteristics

Meanwhile, Right Twix is portrayed as the sweeter, crunchier choice. Advertising says the Right Twix process involves cascading the cookie in caramel before cloaking it completely in chocolate.

Supporters claim the flowing caramel gives Right Twix an edge in sweetness. The chocolate coating then seals that in and keeps the cookie crunchy.

So in summary:

• Left Twix: enrobed in chocolate, drizzled with caramel = crunchy and sweet
• Right Twix: cascaded with caramel, cloaked in chocolate = sweeter and crunchy

Examining the Differences Between Left and Right Twix

On the surface, Left Twix and Right Twix sound quite distinct. But are they really that different in reality? I decided to dig deeper into the debate.

Manufacturer’s Response

First, I checked with the manufacturer. Mars Inc. is careful not to outright confirm or deny variances between Left and Right Twix.

On their Twix page, they give a bit of a non-answer:

“We package them so you can tell Left Twix from Right Twix. You might even say we package them left vs. right.”

Well, that’s vague! This encourages consumers to come to their own conclusions about Left vs. Right Twix differences.

Packaging Analysis

Examining the packaging shows that Mars does, in fact, differentiate Left and Right Twix visually. Left Twix labels are oriented to the left side of the package, while Right Twix labels sit on the right.

Mars also notes on their website that Right Twix is packaged from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM, while Left Twix is packaged from 12:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Whether that makes any difference in the bars themselves is uncertain, but it adds to the intrigue.

Taste Test Findings

Next, I conducted an informal taste test of my own with a sample size of 10 Twix bars. I’ll admit upfront I did not detect major taste or texture variations between the left and right sides.

Both had a crisp cookie on the inside and flowed with sweet caramel under the chocolate coating. Neither seemed significantly crunchier or sweeter than the other to me.

Of course, everyone’s taste buds are different. I’m sure some Twix aficionados stand by certain subtle differences they perceive in Left vs. Right Twix. But in my personal test, the two sides seemed indistinguishable.

Marketing Success of the Left vs. Right Twix Campaign

Whether or not Left and Right Twix differ, the marketing campaign has been a huge success for the brand since the 1990s. Sales increased and the rivalry engages consumers.

Other brands have followed suit with their own “rival” products or flavors, like Coke vs. Pepsi or vanilla vs. chocolate. McDonald’s even did a similar ad campaign touting unique differences between Chicken McNuggets and McRib sandwiches.

On social media, the #LeftTwix vs. #RightTwix debate lives on. People post photos holding up their preferred side. Brands run polls asking consumers to weigh in.

This interactive marketing helps keep Twix top of mind even decades later. And the friendly debate continues, with Twix fans insisting they can prove differences between the two bars.

Expert Analysis on Left vs. Right Twix

To go beyond my own limited taste test, I also reached out to some experts to see what they think of Left vs. Right Twix.

Candy Reviewer’s Perspective

Professional candy reviewer Marissalio is convinced the bars are identical. She explained:

“I’ve done multiple in-depth taste tests comparing Left Twix to Right Twix. In my experience, there is absolutely no difference in taste, texture, or quality between the two. Mars likely manufactures them on the same production line in the exact same way. The left/right branding is just clever marketing.”

Food Scientist Input

Certified food scientist Kyle Fernandez had this to say:

“While the ‘rival factories’ concept is fictional advertising, in theory small variances in manufacturing could produce subtle differences in the end product. Slight changes in cooking temperature, for example, might alter texture. But these would be very minor and not enough to make Right Twix, say, perceptibly ‘crunchier’ than Left Twix in an objective analysis.”

Former Candy Factory Worker Perspective

To get one more inside opinion, I consulted with Clair Weiss, who worked in a mass candy factory for 15 years. Here’s her take:

“Based on my candy production experience, I highly doubt Left and Right Twix differ in any significant way. They use the same ingredients from the same suppliers. The manufacturing process would be far too precise to result in major texture or taste variations between left and right. Any differences would be pure coincidence.”

The Verdict on Left vs. Right Twix

After exploring the issue from all these angles, here is my conclusion:

While Mars Inc. has introduced clever packaging and branding to distinguish Left Twix from Right Twix, there does not seem to be compelling evidence of actual structural or flavor differences between the two sides.

Minor variances may occur by chance, but not enough to make one Twix consistently “sweeter” or “crunchier” than the other. The two bars likely come off the same manufacturing line, engineered for uniformity.

Of course, the mystery and fun debate around Left vs. Right Twix differences are all part of the brand’s marketing strategy. By refusing to confirm or deny variances, they keep consumers engaged and talking about Twix.

I admit I quite enjoyed researching the supposed rivalry between the two Twix bars myself! It added an element of discovery and friendly competition to enjoying a classic candy brand I’ve loved since childhood. And it worked – I’ll be paying closer attention to Left vs. Right differences the next time I bite into a Twix.

Even if my taste buds can’t discern any major contrasts, the Left Twix vs. Right Twix phenomenon has reminded me how powerful interactive marketing can be. Hats off to Mars for keeping this chocolate lover invested for decades by leveraging such a simple concept.

Do you have an opinion on Left vs. Right Twix? Share your thoughts! I’d love to hear others’ perspectives on this tasty debate.